Mads Mikkelsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mads Mikkelsen
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Mikkelsen in 2022
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| Born |
Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen
22 November 1965 Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Hanne Jacobsen
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Lars Mikkelsen (brother) |
| Awards |
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Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen (born 22 November 1965) is a famous actor from Denmark. He first became well-known in his home country for roles in movies like the Pusher film series.
Mikkelsen became a global star after playing the villain Le Chiffre in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. He is also known for playing Kaecilius in Marvel's Doctor Strange and Galen Erso in Rogue One, a Star Wars story.
He has played many other major roles, including the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and the villain Dr. Jürgen Voller in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. On television, he played the brilliant Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the series Hannibal. He also appeared as the character Cliff Unger in the popular video game Death Stranding.
In his home country of Denmark, Mikkelsen is a major movie star. Around the world, he is recognized as a talented actor who often plays interesting and complex characters.
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Early Life and Training
Mads Mikkelsen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. His father, Henning, was a cab driver, and his mother was named Bente. He grew up with his older brother, Lars Mikkelsen, who is also an actor.
As a young man, Mads was a talented gymnast and wanted a career in sports. Later, he discovered a passion for dance and studied at a ballet academy in Gothenburg, Sweden. He worked as a professional dancer for nearly ten years.
While dancing, he met choreographer Hanne Jacobsen, and they married in 2000. In 1996, Mikkelsen decided to change careers and began studying acting at the Århus Theatre School.
Acting Career
Success in Denmark
Mikkelsen's acting career began in 1996 with the Danish film Pusher. He became a popular actor in Denmark, often playing unique and memorable characters. He also starred in the popular Danish TV series Rejseholdet (Unit One), where he played a police officer. This role made him very famous in his home country.
One of his most celebrated Danish films is Another Round. The movie won an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, and Mikkelsen's performance was highly praised.
Becoming an International Star
Mikkelsen's first big role in an American movie was as the knight Tristan in King Arthur (2004). Two years later, he became world-famous as the villain Le Chiffre in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. His character was known for being a cool and clever poker player.
After his Bond role, Mikkelsen appeared in many major international films. He played Draco in Clash of the Titans and the Comte de Rochefort in The Three Musketeers. He also starred in the historical drama A Royal Affair as the physician Johann Friedrich Struensee.
From 2013 to 2015, he played the title role in the TV series Hannibal. He portrayed Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant but very dangerous character. His performance was praised by critics.
Major Blockbuster Roles
In 2016, Mikkelsen joined two of the biggest movie franchises in the world. He played the sorcerer Kaecilius, the main villain in Marvel's Doctor Strange. That same year, he appeared in the Star Wars universe as Galen Erso, the scientist who designed the Death Star, in Rogue One.
He continued to take on major roles, playing the main villain in the science fiction film Chaos Walking. In 2022, he took over the role of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. The following year, he played the villain opposite Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Mikkelsen has also done voice work for movies and video games. He voiced a character in the animated movie Moomins and the Comet Chase and played a key role in the video game Death Stranding.
Personal Life
Mikkelsen married choreographer Hanne Jacobsen in 2000. They have been together since 1987 and have two children.
He has lived in Copenhagen for most of his life but also has a home on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
In 2023, he won a Bambi Award in Germany and dedicated it to his granddaughter, Maria. In 2025, it was reported that he was going to be a grandfather for the second time.
Honours
For his contributions to acting, Mads Mikkelsen has received special honours.
- In 2010, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by the Queen of Denmark.
- In 2016, the French government made him a Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters).
See also
In Spanish: Mads Mikkelsen para niños
