After a date night with his future wife, Dolph Lundgren decided to get into the vodka-making ring.
“Rock” star studied chemical engineering before becoming an actor, and he has unveiled Hard cut vodkaa 90 All-American Spirit, made from Idaho potatoes and Rocky Mountain water.
It was effortless for the 67-year-old, who played the role of Russian boxer Ivan Drago.
Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren, yes, Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky IV” (Sunset Boulevard/Bobbys by Getty Image)
“I was originally from Sweden and people were drinking a lot of vodka in Sweden because the weather was cold and dark in winter,” he told Fox News Digital. “…but I was taking my future wife at the time. Dating to Santa BarbaraI’m trying some vodka (in this) bar. I really don’t like them. I like it straight on the ice and can’t find one I really like. They are all very harsh. After complaining for a while, she said, “Why don’t you do your own?’’
Lundgren was reluctant to back down and accepted Emma Krokdal’s courage.
Watch: ‘Rock’ star Dolph Lundgren launches hard cut vodka after becoming a U.S. citizen
“I looked at the space of vodka, and it looked a little boring compared to tequila,” he shared. “A lot of people in Hollywood or entertainment have entered tequila and whiskey. … Vodka is a vast territory. … I want to have fun and bring some action movie pizzazz.”
Dolph Lundgren’s wife Emma Krokdal dared him to make a vodka he really wanted. (Hard cut vodka)
Lundgren and Krokdal are looking to find the best breweries to bring their ideas for the perfect vodka to life. After a two-hour flight from home in California, in Idaho, they found exactly what they wanted.
Russian potatoes grown in the stateand “Rocky Mountain Snow Melted Water”, creates a mixture that is both strong and smooth. Hard-cut vodka is born.
Hard-cut vodka is made with Idaho potatoes and rocky landscape. (Hard cut vodka)
The final product won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2024, which included “fennel, bright notes of green apples, and some creamy flavor”, Forbes reports.
Dolph Lundgren said an Idaho brewery helped his vision come to life. He works with Philip Duff, a famous global bartender who trained him. (Hard cut vodka)
“My favorite wife and I are from Idaho, where there is a range of vodka,” he explained. “The one we like comes from a particular brewery…that was potato vodka. It turns out that potatoes gave it a really nice texture. …Once we found it, we realized it was an American vodka and it’s cool now.
“With all the trade wars and everything, becoming a U.S.-made vodka is also an advantage,” Longgren said with a smile.
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Dolph Lundgren is the founder and chair of hard cut vodka. (Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)
He said that investment in the United States is important to celebrities. After living in the United States, Lundgren officially became a U.S. citizen in 2024. Originally from Norway, Krokdal also attended the naturalization ceremony with her husband, and both of them were sworn in to the United States. People Magazine Report.
Dolph Lundgren and his wife Emma Krokdal officially became U.S. citizens in 2024. (instagram.com/dolphlundgren)
“Investing in the United States is very important,” Lundgren explained. “I’m from Sweden, But I am an immigrant,…all the good things in my life come from the United States. I went from chemical engineering and martial arts to becoming an actor to become a Hollywood movie star. This will not happen in any other country. So I feel very comfortable working in the United States with Americans. ”
Dolph Lundgren said that when becoming a U.S. citizen, it is better to be late than not. (David Keeler/Getty Images)
“It just makes it easier because everything is more organized,” he said. “When you do business, people are more in control of the ball. Yes, it’s important to me, and I think Americans will like the fact that it’s American vodka. It’s delicate. It’s tough, but it’s smooth, and has an elegant image. Just because it doesn’t mean it can’t be refined and elegant.”
The star noted that he always takes pride in establishing a life and career in the United States. Then It’s time to become a citizenhe felt that “it’s better to be late than not.”
Dolph Lundgren is working on chemical engineering before pursuing a show in New York City. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella is collected via Getty Images)
“It’s time now.” “I’ve been here for 40 years. I went here as a teenager. I was a resident of the United States for a while. Then I got married and for various reasons, I moved to Spain.
“I live there, my kids grew up in Spain, my two daughters. But I always want to come back. I moved back here about 15 years ago and I went back to my residence. Then I decided I wanted to be a citizen.”
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Dolph Lundgren lives in Spain, maintains close relationships with his family, and then settles permanently in California. (Alamy)
“This country has always been my life,” Lundgren said. “Everything in my life comes from the United States. I love Sweden, but like I said, I’m very close to this country. Standing there, swearing, (seeing) the flag, it’s very exciting. It’s big. It’s not easy to be a citizen. It’s hard to be an American citizen, and I think it should be.”
Dolph Lundgren with daughter Ida, Left and Greta (Ian West/PA image via Getty image)
He added: “I am proud of myself for my success.”
Lundgren said that whenever he is in Europe, the United States thinks. But he put aside his dream of staying in the country and brought it closer to his now 28- and 23-year-old daughters.
Emma Krokdal and Dolph Lundgren got married in 2023. (Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)
“I think that’s one thing missing,” Lundgren said. “…My ex-wife brought me back to Europe for various reasons. Maybe it wasn’t a wise move, but I did it for my family. … But I…I always felt sad at the time. I always felt like I wanted to get it back.
Playing a star who plays Dolph Lundgren as a Russian boxer. (United Artist/Getty Images)
It was in the United States that Lundgren suddenly soared to fame. Drago premiered on November 27, 1985 40 years ago on November 27, 1985.
“I went there when I was a kid,” Lundgren said. “…My girlfriend was a famous singer at the time, Grace Jones. People tried to get me out of the way I took pictures. Then I went (in the theater). The lights came down and the two boxing gloves rose up, a Soviet glove and American gloves.
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Sylvester Stallone punched Dolph Lundgren in the scene of the movie Rocky IV. (United Artist/Getty Images)
“The lights are up and suddenly everyone is looking at me.” “I’m kind of-I don’t know what to do. I feel really disgusting, but excited. We’re out and people are taking pictures of me now. It took me a few years to get over it.”
Dolph Lundgren and Grace Jones were in New York City around 1985 (Robin Platzer/Images/Get Tomages)
Longgren admits that his reputation is difficult to navigate. His relationship with Jones, 76, ended up. But over the years, he found himself busy showing up Among the sensational franchises, including “ofendables”, “Creedy” and “Aquaman” etc.
He is still a good friend of Stallone, 78, who now lives in Palm Beach, Florida. Their daughters also formed a friendship.
Dolph Lundgren told Fox News Digital that Sylvester Stallone’s three daughters are friends with his two daughters. (Getty Images of Ryan Emberley/Amfar/Amfar)
“It’s unusual to be close to 40 years with someone in this business and hit each other,” Lundgren said.
Right Dolph Lundgren said he and Sylvester Stallone have been good friends for years. (kiyoshi ota/getty image)
“Give each other aside, and build a certain friendship. We’ve made six movies together now. He’s a very smart, talented person. Sometimes the role you play is simple and physical, and people think you’re not smart. But he’s very talented.
“Loki,” Lundgren will always have a special place for the star.
Dolph Lundgren is still busy as an actor and filmmaker. (Carl Court/AFP via Getty Images)
“The experience of being part of this iconic movie … It was a great experience for a young kid who just came here to study engineering,” he said.
