Nikolaj Coster Waldau

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was born on July 27, 1970, in Rudkøbing, Denmark. He grew up in Tybjerg, a small village, and later attended the Danish National School of Theatre in Copenhagen, graduating in 1993. His breakthrough in Denmark came with the film “Nightwatch” in 1994, where he played a leading role. This early success established his presence in the Scandinavian film industry, and he continued to appear in numerous films in the region.

Coster-Waldau began his career in the United States with a role in Ridley Scott’s 2001 war film, “Black Hawk Down,” portraying Medal of Honor recipient Gary Gordon. This marked his entry into Hollywood, leading to roles in other American productions. He further gained recognition for his work in the short-lived Fox television series “New Amsterdam” in 2008, and the 2009 Fox television film “Virtuality.” His career progressed steadily, balancing projects in Europe and the U.S.

From 2011 to 2019, Coster-Waldau achieved widespread international acclaim for his portrayal of Jaime Lannister in the HBO fantasy series “Game of Thrones.” This role earned him multiple accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2018. Beyond his acting career, Coster-Waldau is also a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on critical global issues such as gender equality and climate change.