Lena Endre studied to be a biologist, though she eventually quit school and worked at a record store instead. In the late 1970s, she also got involved in acting. She went back to school and studied theater and eventually legendary director Ingmar Bergman discovered her working at a department store and cast her in several of his plays. Endre would also work with Bergman associates Liv Ullman and Billie August in their film productions. She can also be seen in the original "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and its sequels, and has a small part in Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master."