Arne Kleve

Biography

As the eldest of eight siblings, Arne Kleve was born in Kristiania, Norway in 1897, parents were Erik Kleve and Lovise Larsen. In the 1920's he became one of the actors at The Norwegian Theater in Oslo, and was widely used in comedies. Later he played on various stages, including at Bjørnevik, and at Falkberget's touring Theater, essentially in the same repertoire. In film, he played a few supporting roles in the 1930's. Kleve, whose father was a gardener, had always had a strong interest in farming, plants and vegetables, and this eventually became his new full-time job. He became a market trader in Oslo, where the goods were sold, he did this almost until his death in 1981. His wife from 1932, Astrid Nilsen Bech, also previously worked as an stage actress. She passed away in 1974, near the age of 75.