Matthias Schweighöfer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthias Schweighöfer
Schweighöfer in 2020
Born	(1981-03-11) 11 March 1981 (age 44) Anklam, East Germany
Occupation	Actor filmmaker
Years active	1997–present
Partner(s)	Ruby O. Fee (2019–present)
Children	2

Matthias Schweighöfer (born March 11, 1981) is a German actor and filmmaker. He is known for his work in both German and American movies. You might know him as Ludwig Dieter from the Netflix films Army of the Dead and Army of Thieves. He also played Lieutenant Franz Herber in the 2008 film Valkyrie. In 2023, he appeared in the movie Oppenheimer as Werner Heisenberg.

Early Life and Acting Start

Matthias Schweighöfer was born in Anklam, which was part of East Germany at the time. His parents were both actors, so he grew up around the film world. He went to a famous acting school in Berlin, but he left after one year. Even so, he had already started working with well-known directors early in his career.

Matthias's Career Journey

Matthias Schweighöfer started his film career in 1997 with the movie Changing Skins [de]. Over the years, he appeared in many films like Soloalbum (2003) and Off Beat (2004).

Becoming Known Worldwide

A big step in his career was playing Lieutenant Franz Herber in Valkyrie in 2008. This movie was about a real-life plot to stop Adolf Hitler during World War II. Working with famous actors like Tom Cruise in Valkyrie helped Matthias become known outside of Germany. This led to more roles in English-speaking films.

Directing and Producing Films

Matthias is not just an actor; he also directs and produces movies. In 2010, he directed his first romantic comedy called What a Man. He followed this with his second movie, Break Up Man [de], in 2013. In 2017, he directed, produced, and starred in You Are Wanted, which was the first TV series from Amazon Studios not in English.

Recent Film Roles

In 2021, Matthias played Ludwig Dieter in the Netflix zombie movie Army of the Dead, directed by Zack Snyder. He liked the character so much that he directed and starred in a prequel film, Army of Thieves, playing the same role. In 2023, he took on the role of the real-life physicist Werner Heisenberg in the movie Oppenheimer. He also played music producer Frank Farian in the film Girl You Know It's True, which came out in December 2023.

Matthias's Personal Life

Matthias Schweighöfer lives in Berlin. He has two children, a daughter born in 2009 and a son born in 2014. Since 2019, he has been in a relationship with actress Ruby O. Fee, who also appeared with him in Army of Thieves.

Awards and Recognitions

Matthias Schweighöfer has received many awards for his acting.

Matthias Schweighöfer at the Berlinale in 2008

• 2000: German Television Prize – For his performance in Verbotenes Verlangen
• 2002: Günter Strack TV Award – Best Young Actor
• 2003: Golden Camera – "Curt Jürgens Memorial Camera" for best new actor
• 2003: Adolf Grimme Award – For his performance in Friends of Friends
• 2003: New Faces Award – Best Actor
• 2004: Bavarian Film Award – Best Young Actor
• 2005: Undine Award – Best Young Actor (TV)
• 2006: DIVA-Award – Best Actor
• 2007: Undine Award – Best Young Actor (feature film)
• 2007: Bambi Award – Best National Film Actor
• 2009: Golden Camera – Best German Actor
• 2010: Jupiter Award – Best Male Actor (TV)
• 2011: GQ Man of the Year – National Film

Films Matthias Directed

Matthias Schweighöfer has directed several movies:

Films Matthias Acted In

Here are some of the movies Matthias Schweighöfer has acted in:

Theatre Performances

• 2004: One, Two, Three – at the Hebbel Theatre, Berlin
• 2007: North – at the Volksbühne, Berlin

Audiobooks

Matthias has also lent his voice to audiobooks:

• 2008: Slam by Nick Hornby
• 2008: Die Traumnovelle by Arthur Schnitzler

See also

In Spanish: Matthias Schweighöfer para niños