Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: July 27, 1970

Age: 54 years old

Birth Place: Rudkøbing, Denmark

Having established himself in a number of Danish films, actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau made himself a known presence in America and abroad with both supporting and leading roles in high-profile projects. After getting his feet wet in international waters with the British-made World War II drama "Bent" (1997), Coster-Waldau was cast by Ridley Scott to participate in the director's acclaimed war thriller "Black Hawk Down" (2001).

He subsequently had turns in the action thriller "My Name is Modesty" (2004) and the romantic comedy "Wimbledon" (2004), before reuniting with Scott for the less well-received medieval adventure "Kingdom of Heaven" (2005). Coster-Waldau made a brief, but memorable splash playing a cop trapped on Earth as an immortal on the short-lived series "New Amsterdam" (Fox, 2008), before joining the acclaimed cast of the epic medieval drama, "Game of Thrones" (HBO, 2011- ), which allowed him to display his considerable talents to a wider audience.

Supporting roles in mainstream films like the Jessica Chastain-starring horror hit "Mama" (2013) and Tom Cruise's "Oblivion" (2013) increased his international profile even further.

Born on July 27, 1970 in Denmark, Coster-Waldau received his education at Statens Teaterskole - or National Theater School - in Copenhagen in 1993, where he made his debut as Laertes in a production of "Hamlet." Coster-Waldau made his Danish film debut a year later in the psychological thriller "Nightwatch" (1994), before co-starring opposite Clive Owen in "Bent" (1997), a British film about two gay men (Owen and Brian Webber) who tried to flee Nazi Germany.

Having established himself in a number of Danish-made films, the actor broke through internationally with the U.S. release, "Black Hawk Down" (2001), in which he played a Delta Force sniper, and the British production "Enigma" (2001), a romantic thriller about two cryptologists (Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott) trying to crack the infamous Nazi Enigma machine. Coster-Waldau played a Polish cryptologist willing to betray secrets to the Nazis in order to take down Stalin.

Following supporting turns in the action thriller "My Name is Modesty" (2004) and the romantic comedy "Wimbledon" (2004), he reunited with Ridley Scott in the medieval epic "Kingdom of Heaven" (2005).

Coster-Waldau continued to make regular appearances in U.S. fare, though often in only a supporting capacity, as he did in the high-tech thriller "Firewall" (2006) starring Harrison Ford. He finally landed his first lead role in America, playing a New York homicide detective who constantly searches for true love in order to break his curse of immortality on the short-lived series "New Amsterdam" (Fox, 2008).

With some critics drawing obvious comparisons with the syndicated "Highlander" series from the previous decade, "New Amsterdam" failed to catch on and was duly canceled after eight episodes. Undeterred, Coster-Waldau again was the star of "Virtuality" (Fox, 2009), a one-time pilot turned two-hour television movie about 12 astronauts caught in space with a malfunctioning computer and a saboteur crew member.

Coster-Waldau next co-starred in the epic medieval series, "Game of Thrones" (HBO, 2011- ), in which he played the bodyguard to the King of the Seven Kingdoms (Michael Addy), while also remaining reluctantly aloof from the political machinations that surround him. Between seasons of the epic fantasy, Coster-Waldau appeared on the big screen in western adventure "Blackthorne" (2011), Morten Tyldum's crime thriller "Headhunters" (2011), horror hit "Mama" (2013), Tom Cruise action-adventure "Oblivion" (2013), and Nick Cassavetes' romantic comedy "The Other Woman" (2014).

Credits

An Optimist's Guide to the Planet

Executive Producer
Docuseries
2024

An Optimist's Guide to the Planet

Host
Docuseries
2024

Biru Unjárga - Føkkings Nesseby

Actor
Movie
2024

Agent

Actor
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Show
2023

Live with Kelly and MarkStream

Guest
Talk
2023

The Last Thing He Told MeStream

Actor
Owen Michaels
Series
2023
41%

God Is A BulletStream

Actor
Detective Bob Hightower
Movie
2023
24%

Nightwatch: Demons Are ForeverStream

Actor
Martin
Movie
2023
70%

A Taste of Hunger: Extras

Actor
Show
2022

Against the IceStream

Actor
Ejnar Mikkelsen
Movie
2022
56%

Against the IceStream

Producer
Movie
2022
56%

Against the IceStream

Screenwriter
Movie
2022
56%

Against the IceStream

Writer
Movie
2022
56%

Game of Thrones Reunion Hosted by Conan O'Brien

Guest
Show
2021

Smagen af sult

Actor
Carsten
Movie
2021

Flee

Executive Producer
Movie
2021

Flee - English Version

Executive Producer
Movie
2021

Flee - English Version

Voice
Rasmussen
Movie
2021

Global Citizen Prize

Guest
Show
2020

Global Goal: Unite for Our Future -- The Concert

Actor
Show
2020

GMA3: What You Need to Know

Guest
Show
2020

Krudttønden

Actor
Rico
Movie
2020

Krudttønden

Executive Producer
Movie
2020

The SilencingStream

Actor
Rayburn
Movie
2020
20%

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Guest
Talk
2019

Gennem Grønland - med Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Host
Show
2019

Durch Grönland mit Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Self
Show
2019

Domino

Actor
Christian
Movie
2019

Selvmordsturisten

Actor
Max Isaksen
Movie
2019

Busy Tonight

Guest
Talk
2018

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

3 Ting

Actor
Mikael
Movie
2017

3 Ting

Executive Producer
Movie
2017

Small Crimes

Actor
Joe Denton
Movie
2017

Shot Caller

Actor
Jacob/Money
Movie
2017

Gods of EgyptStream

Actor
Horus
Movie
2016
14%

The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Red Nose Day

Guest
Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James Corden

Guest
Talk
2015

Arnaque au carbone

Actor
Author
Show
2015

Klown Forever

Actor
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Movie
2015

Året der gik 2014

Guest
Show
2014

Vi ses hos Clement

Guest
Show
2014

Box office

Actor
Show
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Wonderland

Actor
Show
2014

The Other WomanStream

Actor
Mark King
Movie
2014
26%

A Second Chance

Actor
Andreas
Movie
2014

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

Game of Thrones: A Gathering Storm

Actor
Show
2013

A Thousand Times Goodnight

Actor
Marcus
Movie
2013

Mama

Actor
Uncle Lucas/Jeffrey
Movie
2013

OblivionStream

Actor
Sykes
Movie
2013
54%

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Game of Thrones: Extras

Actor
Show
2012

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

Game of Thrones FREE

Actor
Ser Jaime Lannister
Show
2011

Game of ThronesStream

Actor
Ser Jaime Lannister
Series
2011
88%

BlackthornStream

Actor
Young Butch
Movie
2011
75%

HeadhuntersStream

Actor
Clas Greve
Movie
2011
93%

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

Guest
Show
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

A Blekinge utcai banda

Actor
Jan Weimann
Show
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

The CNBC Conversation

Guest
Show
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

Skavlan

Guest
Show
2009

Virtuality

Actor
Commander Frank Pike
Movie
2009

At World's End

Actor
Severin Geertsen
Movie
2009

New Amsterdam

Actor
Show
2008

Chelsea Lately

Guest
Talk
2007

Aftenshowet

Guest
Show
2007

The Baker

Actor
Bjorn
Movie
2007

Wonderful and Loved by All

Actor
Micke
Movie
2007

The Early Years: Eric Nietzche Part 1

Actor
Sammy
Movie
2007

etalk

Guest
Show
2006

Triple Dare

Actor
Martin
Movie
2006

Himmerland

Actor
Thomas
Movie
2006

Himmerland

Co-Producer
Movie
2006

Der Henker

Actor
Martin
Movie
2006

Kingdom of HeavenStream

Actor
village sheriff
Movie
2005
39%

Shadow of the Sword

Actor
Martin
Movie
2005

Den gode strømer

Actor
Sune
Movie
2004

WimbledonStream

Actor
Dieter Proll
Movie
2004
61%

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Actor
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Manden bag døren

Actor
Svend
Movie
2003

Rembrandt

Actor
Kenneth
Movie
2003

My Name Is Modesty: A Modesty Blaise Adventure

Actor
Miklos
Movie
2003

Last Call With Carson Daly

Guest
Talk
2002

24 Hours in the Life of a Woman

Actor
Anton
Movie
2002

Enigma

Actor
Puck
Movie
2001

Black Hawk DownStream

Actor
MSgt. Gary Gordon
Movie
2001
77%

Foreign Fields

Actor
Søren Holt
Movie
2000

Hvem vil være millionær?

Guest
Show
1999

Misery Harbour

Actor
Espen Arnakke
Movie
1999

Wildside

Actor
Ossy
Movie
1998

Wildside

Writer
Movie
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Bent

Actor
Wolf
Movie
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Nightwatch

Actor
Martin
Movie
1994

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
Marge-Like Man
Series
1989
85%

Her er dit liv

Guest
Show
1984

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Guest Star
Series
1975

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutNikolaj Coster-Waldau

Lance Barber as George Sr. on 'Young Sheldon'

‘Young Sheldon,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ & More Shows Where Characters Died Just Before Series Finales

Jeffrey Wright for 'Hold the Dark,' Nicolas Cage in 'Primal,' and Michael Fassbender for 'The Snowman'

‘Hold the Dark,’ ‘Primal’ & More Must-See Suspense Dramas Streaming on Netflix

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (L), James Norton (R)

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau & James Norton to Play William the Conqueror & King Harold II in New Series

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Can’t Watch ‘House of the Dragon’ Yet: ‘This Is Too Soon’

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Jennifer Garner in 'The Last Thing He Told Me'

Jennifer Garner & Victor Garber Reunite in ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ Trailer (VIDEO)

Ranking the Most Toxic TV Couples of All Time

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

‘The Last Thing He Told Me’: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Cast in Apple’s Limited Series

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ejnar Mikkelsen and Joe Cole as Iver Iversen in Against the Ice

‘Against the Ice’ & Tales of Survival to Stream on Netflix

Game of Thrones - Season 8, Episode 2 - Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow

‘Game of Thrones’ Turns 10: Revisit These 17 Essential Episodes

GOT SDCC cover
Comic-Con

‘Game of Thrones’ Cast Takes Final Comic-Con Bow in Our Portrait Studio (PHOTOS)

Maisie Williams and Jacob Anderson attend 2019 Comic-Con International - 'Game Of Thrones' Panel And Q&A
Comic-Con

‘Game of Thrones’ Cast Talks Endings, a ‘Spinoff’ & More at Final Comic-Con Panel

Untitled design

TV News Roundup: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s New Series, Julie Andrews in Shondaland & More

GOT BTS finale cover

‘Game of Thrones’: Behind the Scenes of the Final Season With the Cast (PHOTOS)

HBO cast Robin

Robin Arryn’s Glow-Up & More ‘Game of Thrones’ Cast Transformations (PHOTOS)

da712632689b1f9d10027e415b63029fa2b49827770c07690b006c385954324623739249f0e7e9af8f0e528eacf46fc5

Do the ‘Game of Thrones’ Actors Actually Like the Show?

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones

Was Jaime’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Character Arc Ruined in ‘The Bells’? (POLL)

fe66cb01f3d654b884a1853f91044395e6e037ed8004a782da36852731611c8defd90247c60a9108869542904fb7c39d
Opinion

Here’s Why Jaime & Brienne Deserved Better on ‘Game of Thrones’

a7c170dec4ed7f1a2d0fc3974763239af865014d95a72f1eb11a2826c799686f1d5375c8bbe9ce56ba9c38c3c2c593ff
Opinion

An Ode to Jaime Lannister, the Most Compelling Character on ‘Game of Thrones’

Untitled design

Who Will Die in ‘Game of Thrones’ Episode 3? 14 Deaths Foreshadowed (PHOTOS)

GoT side gigs

8 Surprising Side Gigs of ‘Game of Thrones’ Stars

1586a503745b43223b0e85a094447bc8fb1cd55c0b0f9645c2ef35d6714383bf

9 Moments You May Have Missed in the ‘Game of Thrones’ Episode 2 Teaser (PHOTOS)

Game of Thrones
Preview

‘Game of Thrones’ Cast & EPs Preview the Battle of Winterfell and the ‘Biggest Season by Far’

emmys-supporting-drama

Emmys 2018: The Best Moments From Best Supporting Drama Actor & Actress Nominees (VIDEO)

Untitled design (16)

18 TV Stars Who Look Exactly Alike (PHOTOS)

Game of Thrones — Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

Will ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8 See the Return of the Tyrion We Love?

Game of Thrones behind the scenes - Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
Finale

‘Game of Thrones’: A Behind the Scenes Gallery of the Galvanizing Season 7

Game of Thrones - Sean Bean as Ned Stark - Season 1, Episode 9

21 of the Most Important ‘Game of Thrones’ Character Deaths

Game of Thrones - Sophie Turner a Sansa Stark

The Winter’s Tale Returns: Inside ‘Game of Thrones’ and Season 7’s Brewing War

Game of Thrones Season 7 Character Poster Jon Snow

Winter Is Here: HBO Releases Second ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Trailer, Character Posters

Game of Thrones - Emilia Clarke, summer preview, hbo
Preview

Who Will Rule the Iron Throne? A ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Primer

Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones

‘Game of Thrones’: No Sign of Jon Snow in Episode 3 Teasers (PHOTOS)

Dean-Charles Chapman as King Tommen Baratheon and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 6 Promises Massive Battles and Violent Struggles

Game of Thrones Season 6 - Daenerys

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 6 Preview Clips: Things Look Bad All Over

Game of Thrones - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Lena Headey as Cersei

3 Things We Learned From the New ‘Game of Thrones’ Trailer (VIDEO)

LAST MAN ON EARTH, GAME OF THRONES, WALKING DEAD

8 Outrageous Beards You Could Only See on TV

gameofthrones_video_lenaheadeynikolajcosterwaldau

Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Say Things Are About to Get Complicated on Game of Thrones (VIDEO)