Mads Mikkelsen biography, net worth, young, wife, age, height 2025

Mads Mikkelsen Biography

Mads Mikkelsen is a Dane with a memorable appearance and an undeniable acting talent. He is the star of the TV series "Hannibal", and the films "The Hunt" and "Casino Royale".

Childhood

The actor's full name is Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen. He spent his childhood in the most prestigious district of Copenhagen - Østerbro. This is where his parents' home was located, the Danes Henning Mikkelsen, a trade unionist, and his wife Bente Christiansen, a nurse. Mads and his older brother Lars Mikkelsen became the first members of the family to graduate from school. By the way, Lars also became an actor, he starred in the famous TV series "Sherlock" and "House of Cards".

In his youth, Mads didn't even think about an acting career. But, as they say, genes still made themselves felt. He received a diploma in theater education from the Århus Theatre School in 1996, already being a thirty-year-old man. Before this, Mikkelsen first worked as a bartender, cleaner, then began to professionally engage in dancing.

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' first serious film role (immediately after graduating from drama school) was in the Danish action film "Pusher". The debut was a success, and in the subsequent sequels, Mads played the leading role. Within a few years, he became a leading actor in Denmark. He shared the stage with another Danish celebrity, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.

With the turn of the millennium, the actor gained fame beyond his homeland. He gained popularity from the film "Flickering Lights", and his role as Knight Tristan in the epic drama "King Arthur" solidified his position in 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").

One of Mikkelsen's first "villains" was the antihero from another installment of the James Bond series, specifically, the shadowy financial genius Le Chiffre from "Casino Royale" (2006).

'Casino Royale': Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre

Next was a biographical drama about the relationship between Russian musician Igor Stravinsky and the legendary Coco Chanel. The film received high ratings and positive reviews from film critics. Mads Mikkelsen's reputation grew with each such project, and he gradually became a sex symbol not only in his home country.

A shot from the film 'Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky'

Remembering his successful experience filming epic sagas, the actor accepted the offer to play the lead role in "A Royal Affair" alongside the rising star, Swedish Alicia Vikander.

'A Royal Affair': Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander

Then came the adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers", where Mads tried his hand at the role of the antihero Rochefort.

The real bloom and peak of fame came in 2013, when Mads Mikkelsen starred in the socially critical drama "The Hunt", for which he later won the Cannes Film Festival prize ("Silver Palm Branch" for Best Male Role). At the core of the plot is the tragedy of a family, or rather its head, divorced kindergarten teacher Lucas, struggling with his ex-wife for custody of their son. In pursuit of her desire, his wife uses the most despicable method and slanders Lucas.

'The Hunt', one of the best films with Mads Mikkelsen

The depth of reflection of the main character, his willpower allowed Mads Mikkelsen to fully exhibit his talent. The film was also nominated for an Oscar, but lost in the competitive struggle to Paolo Sorrentino's "The Great Beauty".

Mads Mikkelsen: Short Biography

The actor then returned to his favorite antihero persona. In particular, he starred in the popular 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 did not make people want to compare.

The role of Hannibal Lecter brought Mads Mikkelsen world fame

In "Hannibal", Mikkelsen was called by Hugh Dancy — the performer of the second main role, 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. The actors' contracts expired, but both Mikkelsen and Dancy expressed a desire to work together again if such an opportunity arises.

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 could also be seen in the spin-off of the cult saga, the blockbuster "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story".

In 2018, the film "At Eternity's Gate" was released, with Willem Dafoe appearing in the role of the famous painter Van Gogh. Mads played a minor but bright role as a priest. Then Mads could be seen in the action film "Polar", and this time the actor was in the foreground as the dangerous killer Black Kaiser.

Polar – Trailer

In 2019, Mikkelsen participated in the development of Hideo Kojima's video game "Death Stranding". He lent his voice and appearance to one of the key characters, soldier Clifford Unger.

In 2020, the tragicomedy "Another Round" premiered, in which the Dane transformed into Martin, one of four school teachers who decided to experiment — maintain a certain level of alcohol in their blood for a scientific experiment. 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

Talking about the role of Martin, Mads joked that together with his colleagues from the film, they "learned to be drunk, googling 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 changes in the cast could not go unnoticed. Although many viewers happily welcomed Mikkelsen's appearance in the cast, many also ignored the premiere of the third part due to Depp's dismissal. The film showed very modest box office returns, and a decision on the 4th and 5th parts of "Fantastic Beasts" was made.

Personal Life of Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen resides in Toronto (Canada), where he moved with his family after starting the shooting of "Hannibal," realizing he couldn't bear being away from his loved ones for a long time. The actor is married to Hanne Jacobsen, a professional choreographer. They met in 1987, during Mikkelsen's period of professional interest in dancing, and have never been apart since then. 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

From a young age, the actor developed a passion for motorcycles. His garage is home to rare, collectible models from the early last century.

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'

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.

Mads Mikkelsen: latest news and articles

Fired! Mads Mikkelsen replaces Johnny Depp in Fantastic Beasts

27 Nov 2020

Paul Avalos editor

Regina Newman

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
James Baker

That`s what I love this actor for, it`s his unusual appearance. Hollywood definitely lacks various types

2021-04-22 08:44:29
Jane Hansen

I didn`t even know that Mads is Dane. He has an interesting biography :)

2021-04-15 13:50:53
Gwendolyn White

My all-time favorite is Mikkelsen. He`s so good on Hannibal, you can go crazy.

2021-04-12 16:48:36
Adam Brooks

The legendary Mads Mikkelsen! Gorgeous and very talented actor.

2021-03-07 15:09:53
Deborah Ruble

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