Michael Nyqvist in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Picture: Yellow Bird)

Michael Nyqvist, the Swedish actor who found fame in the original adaptation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, has died at the age of 56.

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

He had been battling lung cancer.

Michael Nyqvist in Mission: Impossible (Picture: Paramount)

Nyqvist starred in the films as Mikael Blomqvist opposite Noomi Rapace; in the American version of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy, his character was played by Daniel Craig.

Born in 1960, he caught the acting bug after studying in America at the age of 17; he went on to star in various Swedish theatre plays before he broke out in the 2000 Swedish dramedy Together.

In 2003 he appeared in As It Is in Heaven, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the best foreign film competition.

The actor also appeared in John Wick, co-starring with Keanu Reeves, and as the villain nuclear scientist in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, opposite Tom Cruise.

MORE : Gone Girl: Ranking David Fincher’s past movies from 1 to 9