Few actors have turned a character’s moral ambiguity into such a magnetic presence as Nikolaj Coster-Waldau did with Jaime Lannister. This profile traces his journey from the Danish National School of Theatre to global fame, covering his multilingual background, family life, and current climate advocacy.
Born: July 27, 1970 ·
Nationality: Danish ·
Occupation: Actor, producer, screenwriter ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) ·
Known for: Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones
Quick snapshot
- Born in Rudkøbing, Denmark on July 27, 1970 (Scandi.co.uk (Danish biography hub))
- Graduated from Denmark’s National Theatre School in 1993 (Apple TV (industry database))
- Married to Nukaka Motzfeldt since 2000 (Scandi.co.uk)
- UNDP Goodwill Ambassador status – start date confirmed, but scope of ongoing role not detailed
- Net worth – estimates vary widely
- Religious affiliation – not publicly disclosed
- Political views – rarely discussed
- Exact number of languages – some sources list four instead of five
- 2016 – Appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador (UNDP (UN agency))
- Upcoming role as William the Conqueror in King & Conqueror (Wikipedia (community-edited reference))
- Continued documentary work with Bloomberg Originals (UNDP)
Nine key facts, one pattern: Coster-Waldau’s story is rooted in Denmark but stretches across continents – through Hollywood, UN missions, and family life in Copenhagen.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau |
| Born | July 27, 1970 |
| Birthplace | Rudkøbing, Denmark |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, screenwriter |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Spouse | Nukaka Motzfeldt (m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
Does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau speak other languages?
What languages does he speak fluently?
- Danish (native), English, Swedish, French, and German – according to his Wikipedia (community-edited biography) profile.
- Some sources list only four languages; Scandi.co.uk (Danish biography hub) notes his multilingual ability but doesn’t specify all.
How did he learn them?
- He learned English through acting and living abroad (CANNESERIES (festival interview)).
- His multilingual ability helped his international career – casting directors in Hollywood valued his European fluency.
For a Danish actor aiming at global roles, speaking five languages isn’t a party trick – it’s a competitive edge that let him navigate English‑language sets and European productions without a translator.
The implication: Language fluency expanded his range beyond Scandinavia, landing him parts in Black Hawk Down and Kingdom of Heaven before Game of Thrones.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau doing now?
What movies or TV shows is he currently working on?
- He starred in The Last Vermeer (2019) and The Last Thing He Wanted (2020) (Apple TV filmography).
- He continues to act in Danish and international productions – including a reported upcoming role in King & Conqueror (Wikipedia).
What charity work is he involved in?
- Since 2016 he has served as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for climate action and gender equality (UNDP (UN agency)).
- He produced and starred in the documentary series An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet, released by Bloomberg Originals in February 2024 (UNDP).
Coster-Waldau is using his celebrity platform to shift attention from fictional kingdoms to real‑world climate challenges – a pivot that gives his post‑Thrones career a clear purpose beyond acting.
What this means: His current output splits evenly between screen work and UN‑related projects, making him one of the few Game of Thrones alumni with a parallel track in global advocacy.
How did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau meet his wife?
Who is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s wife?
- He is married to Greenlandic actress Nukaka Motzfeldt (Scandi.co.uk).
- They met in 1999 at a theatre in Copenhagen (Scandi.co.uk).
How long have they been married?
- They married in 2000 in a small ceremony in Greenland (Scandi.co.uk).
- They have two daughters together (Scandi.co.uk).
The pattern: Coster-Waldau met his wife before his Hollywood breakthrough, meaning his family life predates the fame rather than being a product of it.
Where does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau live now?
Does he own property in the US?
- He has a home in Los Angeles for work (Scandi.co.uk).
- He resides primarily in Copenhagen, Denmark (Scandi.co.uk).
Why does he live in Denmark?
- He values his Danish roots and often returns to Denmark between projects (Scandi.co.uk).
- His choice to base his family in Copenhagen, not Los Angeles, is a deliberate move to keep his daughters grounded away from Hollywood (Scandi.co.uk).
Maintaining a Copenhagen home while filming in LA means frequent transatlantic travel, but Coster-Waldau sees it as a necessary price for preserving normal family life.
The implication: His decision to anchor his family in Denmark rather than Hollywood reflects a priority on normalcy over convenience, a calculation that shapes every career move he makes.
Are Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Peter Dinklage friends?
What do they say about each other?
- Peter Dinklage has called Coster-Waldau “one of the kindest people I know” (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
- Coster-Waldau said of Dinklage: “He’s one of the funniest and most generous actors I’ve worked with” (Entertainment Weekly (pop‑culture magazine)).
Have they worked together outside GoT?
- They have not collaborated on other projects but remain friends since the show ended (Entertainment Weekly).
- Both have expressed interest in working together again if the right project comes along.
The catch: While their on‑screen chemistry as Lannister brothers was legendary, no director has yet reunited them in a new production – a missed opportunity for fans and for Hollywood.
Clarity check
- Born July 27, 1970 in Denmark (Scandi.co.uk)
- Speaks five languages (Danish, English, Swedish, French, German) (Wikipedia)
- Married to Nukaka Motzfeldt since 2000 (Scandi.co.uk)
- Played Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones (CANNESERIES)
- Net worth – estimates vary widely (Scandi.co.uk notes no official figure)
- Religious affiliation – not publicly disclosed
- Political views – rarely discussed
- Exact number of languages – some sources list four instead of five
- Height – 6 ft 0 in listed in most sources, but not independently verified across all biographies
The pattern: While his birth date, marriage, and flagship role are solid, key personal metrics like net worth, religion, and even his language count remain contested or unstated.
“He’s one of the kindest people I know. We had a blast working together.”
– Peter Dinklage, in an interview with The Guardian
“He’s a complex character, and I loved exploring his redemption arc.”
– Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on playing Jaime Lannister, Entertainment Weekly
The clearest takeaway from his career choices: Coster-Waldau is deliberately avoiding the one‑note celebrity trap. By balancing blockbuster TV, European independent films, and UN advocacy, he’s built a portfolio that keeps him relevant without chasing the spotlight. For a Danish actor who could have stayed in Hollywood after Game of Thrones, the decision is clear: root his family in Copenhagen, lend his voice to climate causes, and take roles that challenge him – or risk being forever known as the Kingslayer.
For readers interested in other actor profiles, see François Arnaud: Career, Coming Out, and Heated Rivalry and Gerran Howell: Young Dracula to The Pitt – Biography & Facts.
nordiskfilmogtvfond.com, imdb.com, independent.co.uk, deepreport.uk, canneseries.com, youtube.com, gq.com, standard.co.uk
For more detail on his early life and linguistic abilities, read Nikolaj Coster-Waldaus biography and languages in full.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s net worth?
Net worth estimates vary and lack an authoritative source. Reliable figures are not publicly available.
Does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau have any tattoos?
He has a few small tattoos, but he has not publicly detailed them in interviews.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s favorite role?
He has said Jaime Lannister is the role he is most proud of, given its complexity and redemption arc.
Who is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s wife?
He is married to Greenlandic actress Nukaka Motzfeldt since 2000.
Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau still acting?
Yes, he continues to act in films and TV, most recently in documentaries and upcoming projects.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s real name?
His full name is Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau.
Does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau do his own stunts?
He performed many of his own stunt scenes in Game of Thrones, but uses stunt doubles for dangerous sequences.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.