Gunnar Hellstroem, 72; Actor and Director in Television and Film

Gunnar Hellstroem, 72, an actor and filmmaker who directed episodes of “Dallas” and other American television series, died at a Stockholm hospital Wednesday after suffering a stroke.

Born in Sundsvall and schooled at the Royal Dramatic Theater in Stockholm, he first came to notice in 1954, when he directed and starred in the movie “Simon syndaren,” or “Simon the sinner.” He then earned roles in several American productions, including the 1961 drama “Return to Peyton Place.”

Hellstroem went on to direct several episodes of “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza” and “Dallas.”

“He had a passion for the U.S.A. and Hollywood, and there he gained enormous respect,” director Ingmar Bergman told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. “But I don’t really think he received the recognition he should have had at home.”

In 1994, Hellstroem directed and starred in his last film, “Zorn,” a portrait of early 20th century Swedish painter Anders Zorn that featured actress Liv Ullmann.