Her daughter, Trine Kjølstad, confirms this to VG.
– She has been ill since spring, but perhaps a little extra weak recently. She fell asleep quietly with those closest to her. This has been going on for several days, and there have been several friends visiting, she says.
Kjølstad says that she, together with her mother and some others, watched the film “A quite nice man” in the hospital, one of the last days before she passed away.
In the film, Kjellsby plays with the Swedish star actor Stellan Skarsgård.
The renowned actor has had a distinguished career in Norwegian theatre, film and TV over several decades.
She started at Oslo Nye Teater in 1968, before moving on to Fjernsynsteatret in the 1970s. From 1977 until her retirement in 2014, she was a central part of the ensemble at Det Norske Teatret.
– A colorful colleague
Theater manager at Det Norske Teater, Kjersti Horn, describes Kjellstad as one of the most striking actors of his generation.
Theater director, The Norwegian Theatre
– Jorunn Kjellsby was a prominent stage personality with great talent. She delighted the audience at Det Norske Teatret for almost 40 years, she writes to VG.
– Jorunn mastered the entire spectrum of theater roles, from the women in the classical dramas to the roles in contemporary drama, from comedy to musical theatre. At the same time, Jorunn was a strong-willed actor and a colorful colleague who wore her heart on the outside of her body. There was commitment, laughter, discussion and a high temperature when Jorunn was in the room. It is one of the most significant actors of his generation who has now passed out of time.
Appointed honorary member
On film, Kjellsby has taken part in a number of productions, including “A quite nice man”, “Hjemsøkt” and all the Wam & Vennerød films between 1976 and 1992.
TV audiences also know her from popular series such as “Jul i Blåfjell”, “Sejer – The Devil Holds the Light”, “Himmelblå”, “Whales” and “Fleksnes”.
For her work, she has received several awards, including the Critics’ Award for Theater in 1991, and the Æres-Amanda Award in 2006.
In 2016, she was appointed an honorary member of the Norwegian Actors’ Association for her lifelong commitment to Norwegian performing arts.
She has since continued to be active as a freelancer, and the public remembers her from strong stage performances in, among others, “Cat on a hot tin roof” and “Angsten eter sjela”.
Former friend, Astrid Hellesen, describes Kjellsby as a firework of a lady, an incredibly good person, and that she had a rare and great talent.
– I remember her saying in an interview that I was her best friend, but she has others and more who have been even closer to her than me, she writes in an SMS to VG.
The two lived together in Trondheim when Kjellsby was employed at Trøndelag Theatre, and she was a nanny for her daughters at times.
Since then they have both worked at Det Norske Teatret.
– There are many wonderful stories to tell about her, but it would take a whole book, she concludes.
The actor is survived by two daughters.
