Erik Erikssønn Bye (born March 1, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York, USA – died October 13, 2004 in Hvalstad, Asker, Norway) was a versatile Norwegian journalist, artist, author, film actor, folk singer and radio and television personality. He was one of the 20th century's most well-known and popular radio and television figures in Norway.Born in Brooklyn, New York to Rønnaug (née Dahl) and opera singer Erik Ole Bye, his family moved home to Norway when he was six years old. After a few years in Ringerike they settled in the Nordstrand borough in Oslo, where they took over a bed and breakfast. In his teens, Bye joined the Norwegian resistance movement during the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany during World War II. Following the war, he returned to the United States for his university education, studying English, journalism and drama at Midland Lutheran College, Nebraska and the University of Wisconsin in Madison. During his studies he also traveled extensively throughout the United States, taking odd jobs and gathering impressions.In 1953, Bye took his first job as a reporter with the Associated Press and as a freelancer for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). In 1955, he moved to London and worked three years at the BBC Overseas Services as an apprentice to Anthony Martin before returning home. Bye enjoyed immense popularity with generations of Norwegians, and his songs and programs on radio and television were magnets to audiences of all ages. He was noted for his gift of being equally comfortable with the King of Norway and a random character met on the street. His roaming reports from around the world ranged from searching America for an old Apache chief to bringing an African chieftain from Ghana who answered a message in a bottle released by NRK to Norway.Bye was well known for his support of Norwegian sailors. He also spent much time helping the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue and their cause, raising funds for a brand new rescue ship in 1960, Skomvær II, which was named after the barque Skomvær in Bye's song "Skomværvalsen." The society also named one of their rescue vessels after the artist.In 1978 the King of Norway made him a Knight, 1st Class in the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. In 2005 he was voted the third greatest Norwegian of the 20th century by the viewers of NRK, behind King Olav V and Einar Gerhardsen.Bye was married to politician Tove Billington Jørgensen from 1953 until his death from cancer.
March 1, 1926, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States
Died
October 13, 2004, Hvalstad, Norway
Place Of Birth
New York, USA
Profession
Actor, Miscellaneous Crew
Education
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Awards
Arts Council Norway Honorary Award
Albums
Vi går ombord, En sang under skjorta
Star Sign
Pisces
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Quote
1
For the past 100 years we have gone from navigating by the stars to navigating among the stars. But the only thing we haven't managed to invent, and what makes all other discoveries and inventions immaterial
is peace.
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Fact
1
In 1994 he hosted the first ever Nobel Peace Prize Concert. As the Oslo-based show has grown considerable in size, later hosts have been Liam Neeson and Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange and Anthony Hopkins, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones and in 2004; Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise.
2
On the day of his funeral (Friday October 22nd 2004) at exactly 15:00, all ships under Norwegian flag around the globe blew their horns as a tribute to Bye.
3
On the day of his funeral, Friday October 22nd 2004, flags were lowered to half mast on all official buildings in Norway, including the office of the Prime Minister. The funeral service was broadcast live on national TV, on Norway's largest network (NRK).
4
His funeral was attended by leading members of the Norwegian government, His Majesty King Harald and the US ambassador to Norway.
5
Among the most memorable moments he created for Norwegian television was when legendary singer Josephine Baker was a guest on his show, and they performed an intimate duet of "Honeysuckle Rose", just a few years before she died.
6
Back in the 1960s when the subject of Down's syndrome was considered taboo, he invited several guests with Down's Syndrome. They were there not because of their condition but to perform a number from a musical act they did, and he treated them like he would any other guests. Later he received a letter from a woman who said that after watching that show she finally dared to take her child with Down's Syndrome out in public. Bye later commented that just that one letter made it all worth while.
7
In 1961, when he and the producers were trying to come up with fresh new ideas for his TV-show "Vi går ombord" they decided to use Norwegian sailors to drop bottled messages around the world, encouraging the recipients to answer back. One of the answers came from Andoalu Kwejan II, tribal chief of the coastal village of Ngelekazo in Ghana. As a result the chief was invited to Norway in March of 1962 for the TV-show but it also turned out to be the beginning of a life-long friendship between the Norwegian TV-star Bye and the African tribal chief. Shortly after, when Bye visited the village of Ngelekazo for the first time he made sure they got electricity, something that changed the village forever. The friendship between the two was again underlined when the Chief named his son 'Erik Bye Anman'. Later the Chief's grandson was also named 'Erik Bye'. The last time (the original) Erik Bye visited the village was in 1997. The original chief had passed away, but his family and the rest of the villagers all treated Bye as a king. He stayed there for two weeks before leaving with tears in his eyes, knowing it would be the last time he saw his African friends.
8
Among his many awards are three Norwegian Grammys (Spelemannsprisen) for 1972, 1981 and 2003, Doctor of Letters Midland College (USA), Knight 1st Class of the Order of St. Olav (highest order in Norway), the Icelandic Falk Order (Iceland) and the Distinguished International Alumni Award (USA).
9
After befriending an African village chief in Ghana, the chief named his son after him.
10
A huge nature-lover, each year at his cabin, he always tried to get the small birds in the area to eat out of his hand. They always came, right up until the last year of his life.
11
NRK - is short for "Norsk Rikskringkasting" which means:"Norwegian National Broadcasting (corporation)"
12
Is one of Norway's most famous TV celebrities. He was also one of the very first to became famous on TV in Norway.
13
Joined the Norwegian resistance movement under World War II.
14
Is also a musican (singer) and is well known for his folk-songs.
15
Educated as a journalist. Worked for Associated Press between 1953-1955, BBC 1955-1958, and NRK (Norsk Rikskringkasting) since 1958.
16
Is born in USA, but have lived most of his life in Norway.
$1.4 Million