Mikael Åke Persbrandt (born 25 September 1963 in Jakobsberg, Järfälla Municipality, Stockholm County) is a Swedish actor. In Swedish films he usually has lead roles and "tough guy" parts. He is perhaps most famous for his recurring role as the no-nonsense police officer Gunvald Larsson in the latest installment of the Martin Beck movies. He is frequently the subject of much press gossip in evening newspapers such as Aftonbladet and Expressen. In 2011 he was arrested by police while snorting cocaine. He is confirmed as playing Beorn in The Hobbit film series.
Persbrandt has performed on stage with the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and numerous film and TV roles. Persbrandt is best known for his role as the hardboiled police inspector Gunvald Larsson, in the Beck series of films. In January 2009 he won the Guldbagge Award for Best Actor in a leading role for his role in Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick.
On 13 October 2007 Persbrandt left the Royal Dramatic Theatre due to difficulties combining work for TV/ film with theater. Many of the Royal Dramatic Theatre ensemble responded in a very negative manner. One of them was Jan Malmsjö who made a strong statement about Persbrandt on live television. Malmsjö loudly proclaimed that "He has pissed on us!", insinuating that it was a breach of contract from Mikael Persbrandt.
In December 2005, Persbrandt notified police that the newspaper Expressen made false accusations about acute alcohol poisoning. The information was inaccurate. Expressen apologized for its mistake, and admitted that their information was false, but the apology was not accepted by Persbrandt.
Otto Sjöberg, then editor on Expressen, was fined 75,000 SEK (? 6800 €, US$8900), in damages to Persbrandt.