Actor Michael Nyqvist
Actor Michael Nyqvist poses during a photo call for the Sky Series Night '100 Code' on March 15, 2015 in Munich, Germany.Joerg Koch/Getty Images

Actor Michael Nyqvist, who played the antagonist in the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo film series, passed away on June 27. The actor was aged 56. He died after a long battle with lung cancer, his representative Jenny Tversky said.

Nyqvist rose to fame with the character of investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist opposite actress Noomi Rapace in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo franchise. Tversky's statement on behalf of his family said that he was "one of Sweden's most respected and accomplished actors".

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Nyqvist was also known for his portrayal of various villainous characters in Hollywood, including films like Mission: Impossible— Ghost Protocol (2011) and John Wick (2014), in which he played the role of the villain opposite Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves, respectively.

"Michael's joy and passion were infectious to those who knew and loved him," the statement added. "His charm and charisma were undeniable, and his love for the arts was felt by all who had the pleasure of working with him."

Tributes have been pouring in from people, and many celebrities as well as his fans took to social media to remember the actor.