Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen
6.1
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Name:
Mads Mikkelsen
Real name:
Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen
Who is:
Birth date:
(59 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Copenhagen, Denmark
Height:
6'0 ft ()
Weight:
181 lb (82 kg)
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen photo 1
Mads Mikkelsen photo 2
Mads Mikkelsen photo 3
Mads Mikkelsen photo 4
+12 Photos

Mads Mikkelsen Biography

Mads Mikkelsen is a Danish actor with a striking presence and undeniable talent. He's best known for starring in the TV series "Hannibal" and films like "The Hunt" and "Casino Royale."
Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen
Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen

Childhood

The actor's full name is Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen. He spent his childhood in the most prestigious district of Copenhagen - Østerbro. His parents lived there - Henning Mikkelsen, a trade unionist, and his wife Bente Christiansen, a nurse. Mads and his older brother Lars became the first in their family to graduate from school. Lars also became an actor, starring in hit TV series like "Sherlock" and "House of Cards."
Childhood photos of Mads Mikkelsen
Childhood photos of Mads Mikkelsen
In his youth, Mads never imagined he'd become an actor. But genetics would eventually win out. He graduated from the Århus Theatre School in 1996 at age thirty. Before that, Mikkelsen worked as a bartender and cleaner before becoming a professional dancer.
I originally did gymnastics, did all sorts of acrobatic tricks, and then I was offered to try myself in dancing. I had nothing to do at the time, so I agreed. And this became my job for 10 years. From about 18 to 28 years old I was doing this.

Acting Career

Mads landed his first serious film role right after graduating from drama school in the Danish action film "Pusher". The debut was a hit, and Mads went on to play the leading role in the subsequent sequels. Within just a few years, he'd become Denmark's leading man. He shared the stage with another Danish celebrity, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Young Mads Mikkelsen
Young Mads Mikkelsen
As the new millennium arrived, Mads's fame spread far beyond Denmark. "Flickering Lights" boosted his popularity, while his role as Knight Tristan in the epic drama "King Arthur" cemented his status across Europe.
Pusher. Mads Mikkelsen as Tony
In the early 2000s, he starred in several films directed by Susanne Bier, which were later nominated for the Oscars ("Open Hearts" and "After the Wedding").
Brutal Tristan from 'King Arthur'
Brutal Tristan from 'King Arthur'
One of Mikkelsen's first memorable "villains" was Le Chiffre, the shadowy financial genius from "Casino Royale" (2006).
'Casino Royale': Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre
'Casino Royale': Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre
Next came a biographical drama exploring the relationship between Russian composer Igor Stravinsky and the legendary Coco Chanel. The film received high ratings and positive reviews from film critics. With each project, Mads Mikkelsen's reputation soared, and he gradually became a sex symbol well beyond Denmark.
A shot from the film 'Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky'
A shot from the film 'Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky'
Drawing on his success with epic sagas, Mads accepted the lead role in "A Royal Affair" alongside rising Swedish star Alicia Vikander.
'A Royal Affair': Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander
'A Royal Affair': Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander
Then came Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers" adaptation, where Mads tackled the antihero role of Rochefort.
Mikkelsen as Count Rochefort
Mikkelsen as Count Rochefort
Mads hit his career peak in 2013 with the socially charged drama "The Hunt", earning him the Cannes Film Festival's Best Actor prize. The story centers on Lucas, a divorced kindergarten teacher fighting his ex-wife for custody of their son. To get what she wants, his ex-wife resorts to the most despicable tactic: slandering Lucas.
'The Hunt', one of the best films with Mads Mikkelsen
'The Hunt', one of the best films with Mads Mikkelsen
The character's emotional depth and inner strength allowed Mads Mikkelsen to showcase his full range as an actor. The film also earned an Oscar nomination, though it lost to Paolo Sorrentino's "The Great Beauty".
Mads Mikkelsen: Short Biography
The actor then returned to his favorite antihero persona. Most notably, he starred in the hit series "Hannibal" as a charming cannibal intellectual. After Anthony Hopkins' masterful performance in the canonical "Silence of the Lambs", few believed that anyone could handle this role. But Mikkelsen succeeded — his Hannibal Lecter stood on its own merits.
The role of Hannibal Lecter brought Mads Mikkelsen world fame
The role of Hannibal Lecter brought Mads Mikkelsen world fame
In "Hannibal", Mikkelsen was joined by Hugh Dancy, who played the other lead role of FBI analyst Will Graham. For three seasons, the project was wildly popular with audiences around the world, but in 2015 NBC announced the closure of the project. Though the actors' contracts expired, both Mikkelsen and Dancy have expressed interest in reuniting if the opportunity presents itself.
Mads Mikkelsen Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters
In 2016, the actor participated in the filming of the superhero blockbuster "Doctor Strange", where his co-stars were Tilda Swinton and Benedict Cumberbatch. He also appeared in the blockbuster spin-off "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
'Doctor Strange': Mads Mikkelsen
'Doctor Strange': Mads Mikkelsen
In 2018, the film "At Eternity's Gate" was released, starring Willem Dafoe as the legendary painter Van Gogh. Mads played a minor but bright role as a priest. Next, Mads starred in the action thriller "Polar," taking center stage as the lethal assassin Black Kaiser.
Polar – Trailer
In 2019, Mikkelsen contributed to Hideo Kojima's video game "Death Stranding." He lent his voice and appearance to one of the key characters, soldier Clifford Unger.
Mads Mikkelsen as Cliff Unger
Mads Mikkelsen as Cliff Unger
In 2020, the tragicomedy "Another Round" premiered, in which the Dane transformed into Martin, one of four teachers who decide to conduct an experiment by maintaining a constant blood alcohol level. The film was recognized with an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA award. Mikkelsen received the European Film Academy Award and the British Academy Film Award (both for Best Actor).
'Another Round': Mads Mikkelsen's dance
Discussing his role as Martin, Mads joked that he and his co-stars "learned how to act drunk by watching Russian YouTube videos." "It was very funny and all of us were inspired," the actor said.

In the third part of "Fantastic Beasts", released in 2022, Mads Mikkelsen appeared as the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. In the previous two parts, he was played by Johnny Depp, but due to the scandal following his divorce from Amber Heard, Depp lost the role. Mikkelsen understood that he had to approach the task differently than his predecessor:
I consider Depp a skilled actor, so copying him would have been creative suicide for me. I needed to come up with something of my own, but at the same time maintain continuity to Depp's Grindelwald. My Grindelwald turned out to be different, including in appearance.
Unfortunately, such significant casting changes couldn't go unnoticed. While many viewers welcomed Mikkelsen's addition to the cast, others boycotted the third film's premiere following Depp's dismissal. The movie delivered disappointing box office numbers, putting the future of the 4th and 5th "Fantastic Beasts" installments in jeopardy.
Mads Mikkelsen as Grindelwald
Mads Mikkelsen as Grindelwald

Personal Life of Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen lives in Toronto, Canada, where he relocated with his family after beginning work on "Hannibal," realizing he couldn't stand being separated from his loved ones for extended periods. The actor is married to Hanne Jacobsen, a professional choreographer. They met in 1987 during Mikkelsen's professional dancing career and have been inseparable ever since. The couple officially tied the knot in 2000. They have raised two children: a son, Karl, and a daughter, Viola.
Mads Mikkelsen with his wife and children
Mads Mikkelsen with his wife and children
The actor has been passionate about motorcycles since his youth, with his garage housing rare, collectible models from the early 20th century.
Mads Mikkelsen has long been fascinated with motor vehicles
Mads Mikkelsen has long been fascinated with motor vehicles

Mads Mikkelsen Now

In 2023, Mikkelsen appeared in two movies - he starred in the final installment of "Indiana Jones" as the villain, a Nazi scientist named Jurgen Foller (a character inspired by the real-life scientist, Wernher von Braun), and also in the Danish historical film "The Promised Land", where he played the leading role - the Danish adventurer Ludwig von Kalen.
Mads Mikkelsen in the movie 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'
Mads Mikkelsen in the movie 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'
In the summer of the same year, shooting began for the horror movie "Dust Bunny", with Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver in the lead roles.
  • I can`t say with certainty that I liked the role of Mads in «Casino Royale», but others like it...
    2021-05-14 18:51:03
  • That`s what I love this actor for, it`s his unusual appearance. Hollywood definitely lacks various types
    2021-04-22 08:44:29
  • I didn`t even know that Mads is Dane. He has an interesting biography :)
    2021-04-15 13:50:53
  • My all-time favorite is Mikkelsen. He`s so good on Hannibal, you can go crazy.
    2021-04-12 16:48:36
  • The legendary Mads Mikkelsen! Gorgeous and very talented actor.
    2021-03-07 15:09:53
  • Love love love Mads, what’s up with season 4 of Hannibal. Everyone I speak with about this series would love to see more. I’ve enjoyed all of his performances in every film I’ve seen him in and have researched his career to look up his filmography and have not been disappointed. So Netflix...... Amazon, Etc. Let’s get this party started
    2020-08-01 17:02:59
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