Who Are Those Singers & Musicians? ~ Willy Rathnov

 

Willy Rathnov was born on May 13, 1937, in Roskilde, Denmark. He was a Danish film actor and singer. He appeared in 32 films between 1960 and 1988.

Willy Rathnov, who originally bore the name Kay Willy Rasmussen, volunteered as a soldier in the UN peacekeeping force in Gaza to earn money to become an actor. At the same time as he studied acting at the Royal Danish Theatre's student school 1959-62 with Blanche Funch, he had a salesclerk position in a workshop.

He made his debut at the theatre as a trainee. On the Copenhagen stages, including Alléscenen, Ungdommens Teater, Comediehuset, Det Ny Scala and Bristol Theatre and on the regional stages, he got major roles in productions such as Siblings, Twelve Angry Men, Hamlet, The Scream and Hedda Gabler.

Rathnov made his real breakthrough in 1964, when he played Billy in the Youth Theatre's production of “Billy the Liar”. He first became known to the general public for his role as Egon in “The House in Christianshavn”. In addition to the role of Egon, he has also appeared in “Uncle Scrooge's Secret” (also known as "Nyhavn's Happy Guys" where he played Rasmus), “The Girl from Egborg”, “Long Day's Journey Towards Night” and many more.

For a period, Willy Rathnov was a member of the city council in Farum Municipality, elected for the Liberal Party.

Willy died in Denmark from cancer on August 29, 1999. He was 62.

RATHNOV, Willy (Kaj Willy Rasmussen) [5/13/1937, Roskilde, Denmark – 8/29/1999, Farum, Denmark (cancer)] – actor, singer.

Tough Guys of the Prairie – 1970 (co) [sings: “Praeriens skrappe drenge”]

Gold for the Tough Guys of the Prairie – 1971 (co) [sings: "Swingdoor-Susie"]