Lars Mikkelsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lars Mikkelsen
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Mikkelsen in 2015
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| Born |
Lars Dittmann Mikkelsen
6 May 1964 Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Occupation | Actor; voice actor |
| Known for |
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| Spouse(s) |
Anette Støvelbæk
(m. 1989) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Mads Mikkelsen (brother) |
Lars Dittmann Mikkelsen (born May 6, 1964) is a famous actor from Denmark. He is known for playing many different characters in popular TV shows and movies.
You might know him as the smart and scary villain Charles Augustus Magnussen in the TV series Sherlock. He also played the powerful Russian president Viktor Petrov in the American show House of Cards.
Many fans know him as the voice and live-action actor for Grand Admiral Thrawn, a major villain in the Star Wars universe. He appeared in the animated show Star Wars Rebels and later played the same character in the live-action series Ahsoka. He also played the wizard Stregobor in the Netflix series The Witcher. For his amazing work in Danish theater, he won a special award in 2011.
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Early Life
Lars Mikkelsen was born near Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. He grew up in a neighborhood called Nørrebro with his younger brother, Mads Mikkelsen, who is also a famous actor.
After finishing high school, Lars joined the Danish Army for his military service. He then went to the University of Copenhagen to study biology. However, he decided to leave college to become a street performer. He traveled around Europe, entertaining people by juggling and doing mime (acting without words).
Acting Career
Starting on Stage and Screen
When he was 27, Lars decided to study acting. He went to the National Theatre School of Denmark and graduated in 1995. He became well-known in Denmark for his role in the crime drama The Killing, where he played a politician named Troels Hartmann.
He also starred in other popular Danish shows like Those Who Kill and Borgen. His talent soon got him roles in big international shows.
Major International Roles
A Sherlock Villain
In 2014, Mikkelsen played the villain Charles Augustus Magnussen in the third season of the BBC show Sherlock. His character was a clever blackmailer who caused a lot of trouble for Sherlock Holmes.
Star Wars Villain: Grand Admiral Thrawn
From 2016 to 2018, Mikkelsen voiced the brilliant and cunning villain Grand Admiral Thrawn in the animated series Star Wars Rebels. Fans loved his performance as the blue-skinned Imperial officer.
In 2023, he played the character again, but this time in live-action in the Disney+ series Ahsoka. He returned to voice the character in the 2024 animated series Star Wars: Tales of the Empire.
Other Famous Roles
Mikkelsen played Viktor Petrov, the president of Russia, in the American political show House of Cards. He also played the wizard Stregobor in the popular Netflix fantasy series The Witcher.
In 2018, he won an International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his role in the Danish TV show Herrens Veje. This award is one of the highest honors for television actors in the world.
Language Skills
Besides his native language, Danish, Mikkelsen can speak fluent German, Swedish, and English. He has said that he and his brother, Mads, first learned English by listening to comedy sketches from the British group Monty Python.
Personal Life
Lars Mikkelsen is married to actress Anette Støvelbæk. They met in 1986 and got married in 1989. Together, they have two sons.
He is the older brother of actor Mads Mikkelsen, who is also known for playing famous villains, such as Le Chiffre in the James Bond movie Casino Royale.
