Mads Mikkelsen

Cast · Writer

Born

November 22, 1965 · Østerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark

Birth name

Mads Dittman Mikkelsen

“I take my work very seriously. When I do something, it has to be right. Everything has to be right. I'm not ambitious with my career, but I'm ambitious with every job.” Before joining the Århus drama school, the Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen trained as a dancer at the prestigious Copenhagen School of Dance. His film career took off with his debut in the Danish film Pusher (1996), by director Nicolas Winding Refn, playing a role for which he became known in his country. From that moment on he began to star in films and television series. He entered American cinema with the James Bond film, Casino Royale (2006) without leaving aside the productions of his own country. He starred in the television series Hannibal (2013 to 2015) playing Hannibal Lecter and the following year he participated in Hollywood blockbusters such as Doctor Strange (2016) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He has shown remarkable versatility, excelling in genres ranging from drama and action to black comedy. Two of his most recognized films were made with director Thomas Vinterberg, The Hunt (2012) nominated at the Oscar Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, and for which he received the award for Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival, and Another Round (2020) for which he received the Silver Shell for Best Actor at the San Sebastian Film Festival.