Mads Mikkelsen, born on November 22, 1965, is a Danish actor who is famous for his roles in the “Pusher” trilogy, “The Green Butchers,” “Adam’s Apples,” “Casino Royale,” and the hit series “Hannibal.” Mikkelsen is one of the most talented actors that Denmark has given us, and here are some interesting facts to quench your curiosity about this star.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen
Birth date:
November 22, 1965
Age:
59
Zodiac Sign:
Sagittarius
Height:
6' 0"
Relationship Status:
Married
Net Worth:
$14 million
Background
Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is the son of Henning Mikkelsen, a cab driver, and Bente Christiansen. He has an older brother, Lars, who is also an actor. He was raised in the Norrebro district. During his childhood, he had a passion for gymnastics and trained as a gymnast to pursue athletics. In addition, he studied dance at the Balettakademien in Gothenburg, where he also became fluent in Swedish. During his dancing career, he met choreographer Hanne Jacobsen, whom he married. He was a professional dancer for almost a decade until he left it behind to study drama at the Aarhus Theatre School in 1996.
Mikkelsen made his film debut in 1996 as a drug dealer in Nicolas Winding Refn’s film “Pusher,” which became an international hit. In 2002, Mikkelsen landed a starring role as a young doctor who falls in love with the girlfriend of one of his patients in “Open Hearts.” His breakthrough role was as a sensitive policeman in Niels Arden Oplev’s Danish television series “Rejseholdet.” This role won him the 2002 Best Actor Award from The Danish Television Festival.
In 2016, Mikkelsen became a member of the main competition jury of the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. He also starred in Hideo Kojima’s video game “Death Stranding” and was cast to star in the big-budget film “Indiana Jones 5,” set to release in 2023.
Career timeline
Mikkelsen stars in “The Green Butchers.”
He lands the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “Hannibal.”
Mikkelsen stars as Cliff Unger in Hideo Kojima’s video game “Death Stranding.”
Mikkelsen replaces Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”
Why We Love Mads Mikkelsen
He’s a great dancer
Mikkelsen is a great dancer and a trained gymnast. So, it's not just his acting skills that gained him millions of fans but also his dancing skills.
He is a star
Mikkelsen is a great artist with a unique style and a stunning talent admired by millions. His life, career, and success stories are sure to inspire many to succeed and grow.
He’s a hard worker
Mikkelsen rose to great heights through hard work and persistence. His passion and devotion to his efforts have resulted in him becoming a success.
5 Surprising Facts
He is a professional dancer
Mikkelsen danced at the Balettakademien in Gothenburg.
Lars Mikkelsen is his brother
Lars, best known for his role in “House of Cards,” is his older brother.
He’s a man of the multiverse
Mikkelsen has had roles across varying film genres, such as the Bond films, Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the “Star Wars” franchise.
He is a polyglot
Mikkelsen can speak Danish, Swedish, English, German and French.
Bruce Lee is his idol
As a child, he grew up watching Lee’s films.
Mads Mikkelsen FAQs
Who is Mads Mikkelsen in the M.C.U?
He appears in 2016’s “Doctor Strange” as Kaecilius, an obscure villain from the comics who only ever appeared in a small handful of issues. The M.C.U.’s Kaecilius is a sorcerer who betrayed the Masters of the Mystic Arts, leaving Kamar-Taj and swearing loyalty to Dormammu.
How much did Mads Mikkelsen get paid for the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise?
Mikkelsen took over the role of Gellert Grindelwald after Johnny Depp exited the franchise with a headline-making $16 million payout.
What else has Mads Mikkelsen starred in?
“Hannibal,” “The Hunt,” “Doctor Strange,” “Another Round,” “Riders of Justice,” and “Chaos Walking.”
Mads Mikkelsen’s birthday dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | November 22 | Saturday |
2026 | November 22 | Sunday |
2027 | November 22 | Monday |
2028 | November 22 | Wednesday |
2029 | November 22 | Thursday |