Swedish-born actor Max von Sydow has died in France aged 90, the star’s seven-decade career that spanned a number of iconic art-house films by Ingmar Bergman and hits including The Exorcist and Game of Thrones, his family said.

“It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow” on Sunday, said a statement sent to AFP.

In 2002, von Sydow took French citizenship, renouncing his Swedish nationality, but remains loved in his home country.

Von Sydow’s chiselled features and striking blue eyes made him a familiar face during his career playing heroes and villians of different genres.

“He was one of the world’s greatest actors,” said the former president of the Cannes film festival Gilles Jacob.

“He could play troubling roles but Max had a delicacy and a humanity that were so moving.”

He played a priest in the 1973 horror movie The Exorcist, uttering the famous line: “The power of Christ compels you.”

Recently, von Sydow appeared in popular films such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the hit television HBO series Game of Thrones garnering admiration from millions.