John Rafael Edholm, born on May 8, 1966, is a Swedish actor, film director, screenwriter, and former model who has carved a distinctive path through European cinema and television while also making an unexpected mark on global pop culture. He first gained international visibility not through a film role, but through one of the most iconic music videos of the 1990s: George Michael's Freedom! '90, released in October 1990, where Edholm appeared alongside fellow models and actors in a video that became a defining visual of the era. This early exposure helped launch his career, but it was his subsequent work in Swedish film and television that established him as a versatile and respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Edholm’s acting career spans a variety of roles, with one of his most notable performances coming in the Swedish SVT series The Spiral, which aired in 2012. In that series, he played the character Gunnarson, a police officer who finds himself in tense confrontations with a character played by Tuva Novotny. The role showcased his ability to hold his own opposite accomplished actors and contributed to his reputation for bringing depth to law enforcement and dramatic roles. Beyond acting, Edholm has also worked behind the camera, directing and writing screenplays for Swedish productions, demonstrating a multifaceted talent that extends from modeling to filmmaking.

In his personal life, Edholm has had several high-profile relationships that have drawn attention from the press. He was married to Swedish actress Görel Crona from 1997 until 2006, and the couple had one son together, Gabriel. Following his divorce, he married Daga Lamy, though that marriage ended in the spring of 2011. Earlier, while studying in New York, Edholm dated American actress Jennifer Coolidge, a connection that highlights his time in the United States and his exposure to the international entertainment scene. These relationships, coupled with his own career, have kept him a figure of interest in Swedish celebrity culture.

Today, Rafael Edholm continues to be active in the Swedish entertainment industry, balancing his work as an actor, director, and writer. While his most famous moment may be tied to a music video from decades past, his career has proven to be far more substantial, with a body of work that includes both television series and feature films. His ability to transition from international modeling to a sustained career in acting and directing speaks to his adaptability and dedication to his craft. As he takes on new projects, Edholm remains a notable presence in Scandinavian cinema, respected for his contributions both in front of and behind the camera.