Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Biography, Height, Wife, Net Worth
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is a Danish actor who became a household name through his portrayal of the complex anti-hero Jaime Lannister in HBO’s global phenomenon Game of Thrones. Born on July 27, 1970, in the small town of Rudkøbing, Denmark, he has built a career that spans over three decades, moving seamlessly between Scandinavian cinema and Hollywood blockbusters.
His journey from a young soccer enthusiast with dreams of playing professionally to a critically acclaimed actor is a story of talent, perseverance, and a willingness to take on challenging roles. While Jaime Lannister remains his most famous character, his filmography reveals a performer of considerable range, from war heroes in Ridley Scott epics to menacing figures in horror films.
Today, Coster-Waldau is not only a celebrated actor but also a producer and writer, continuing to shape his career on his own terms. He remains deeply connected to his Danish roots while maintaining a strong international presence.
Who is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is a Danish actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known internationally for his role as Jaime Lannister in the HBO series Game of Thrones. He is a graduate of the Danish National School of Performing Arts in Copenhagen, graduating in 1993.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau |
| Date of Birth | 27 July 1970 |
| Age | 54 (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Rudkøbing, Denmark |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer, Screenwriter |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
| Spouse | Nukaaka Coster-Waldau (m. 1999) |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Famous Role | Jaime Lannister – Game of Thrones |
| Notable Film | Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven |
- Coster-Waldau gained global fame for playing Jaime Lannister on HBO’s Game of Thrones, a role spanning eight seasons.
- He is one of the few Danish actors to achieve mainstream Hollywood success while maintaining a career in Scandinavian film.
- His height (6’0”) and physicality were key to his casting in action-heavy roles like Black Hawk Down.
- He and his wife, Nukaaka, have two daughters and have been married since 1999.
- Despite his Game of Thrones fame, he continues to take diverse roles in indie films and Danish productions.
How Tall is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s height is 187 cm, which is approximately 6 feet 1.5 inches. This information is confirmed by multiple reliable sources, including his biography on web.de. Other sources may list his height as 6 feet 0 inches, but the measurement of 187 cm is the most consistently cited figure.
His height and athletic build have contributed to his casting in physically demanding roles, from the sword-fighting Jaime Lannister to the soldier Gary Gordon in Black Hawk Down.
At 187 cm (around 6’1.5″), Coster-Waldau is taller than the average Danish male, which is approximately 180 cm. His stature on screen often gives his characters a commanding presence.
Who is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Wife?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has been married to Nukaaka Coster-Waldau since 1999. Nukaaka, formerly known as Sascha Nukaka Motzfeldt, is a Greenlandic singer and former Miss Greenland. She is of mixed Inuit and Norwegian extraction. The couple met in Greenland in the late 1990s and have two daughters together.
His wife’s name is sometimes incorrectly cited as “Filippa” in some sources, but the established record confirms her name is Nukaaka. This is a common point of confusion in biographical material about the actor.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Net Worth?
Exact net worth figures for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau are not explicitly confirmed in official records or by the actor himself. As a highly successful international actor with a career spanning over 30 years and an eight-season run on one of the most popular TV shows in history, his net worth is estimated by public sources to be in the multi-million dollar range, often estimated between $16 million and $20+ million. However, these figures should be treated as estimates, as they are not verified by direct financial disclosure.
Public estimates for Coster-Waldau’s net worth vary. No single figure has been officially confirmed. The provided estimate of $16 million is based on industry analysis of actors with similar career trajectories and is not a verifiable financial statement.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Starred In?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s filmography is extensive, covering Danish cinema, American television, and major Hollywood films. His breakthrough role in Denmark came with the 1994 film Nattevagten (Nightwatch), directed by Ole Bornedal. His international breakthrough was in 2001 with Ridley Scott’s war film Black Hawk Down, in which he played Medal of Honor recipient Gary Ivan Gordon.
Game of Thrones and the Role of Jaime Lannister
Coster-Waldau’s most famous role is Jaime Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones. He was announced for the part in August 2009 and was part of the initial starring cast. He appeared in 55 episodes across all eight seasons. For this role, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2018. He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series as part of the Game of Thrones cast in 2015.
Other Notable Films and Television Work
Beyond Westeros, Coster-Waldau has appeared in a wide variety of projects. He worked again with Ridley Scott on the medieval epic Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and the romantic comedy Wimbledon (2004). He starred in the Norwegian crime thriller Headhunters (2011), which won an Empire Award for Best Thriller. Other notable Hollywood films include the horror hit Mama (2013) and the sci-fi action film Oblivion (2013) alongside Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman. On American television, he played the lead role of John Amsterdam in the Fox series New Amsterdam (2008), which was short-lived.
- Nightwatch (1994) – Danish film debut
- Bent (1997) – Co-starred with Clive Owen
- Enigma (2001) – Romantic thriller with Kate Winslet
- Black Hawk Down (2001) – Played Gary Gordon
- Wimbledon (2004) – Romantic comedy
- Kingdom of Heaven (2005) – Medieval epic
- Firewall (2006) – Thriller with Harrison Ford
- New Amsterdam (2008) – Fox TV series
- Virtuality (2009) – TV pilot
- Headhunters (2011) – Norwegian crime thriller
- Mama (2013) – Horror film
- Oblivion (2013) – Sci-fi action film
- The Other Woman (2014) – Romantic comedy
- The Silencing (2020) – Crime thriller
- The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) – Historical drama
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has appeared in three films directed by Ridley Scott: Black Hawk Down (2001), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), and Wimbledon (2004). This frequent collaboration highlights the strong professional relationship between the two.
Career Timeline: From Danish Theatre to Westeros and Beyond
A look at the key milestones in Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s career reveals a steady climb from Danish stage to international stardom.
- 1970: Born in Rudkøbing, Denmark.
- 1993: Graduated from the Danish National School of Theatre.
- 1994: Breakthrough role in the Danish film Nattevagten (Nightwatch).
- 1997: Co-starred in the stage and screen adaptation of Bent with Clive Owen.
- 2001: Appeared in Black Hawk Down as Medic Gary Gordon, his first major international role.
- 2005: Played a role in Kingdom of Heaven as Village Sheriff.
- 2008: Starred in the Fox series New Amsterdam as John Amsterdam.
- 2011: First appeared as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones Season 1.
- 2011: Starred in the Norwegian film Headhunters.
- 2014: Starred in the romantic comedy The Other Woman.
- 2019: Game of Thrones concluded with Season 8.
- 2020: Starred in the film The Silencing.
- 2023: Appeared in the film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die.
What’s Certain and What Remains Unclear
When researching a public figure, it is important to distinguish between well-documented facts and information that is widely reported but not officially verified.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Height: 187 cm (6’1.5″) – confirmed by multiple reliable sources. | Net worth: Estimates vary between $16 million and $20+ million, but no official figure is confirmed. |
| Wife: Nukaaka Coster-Waldau – confirmed through official records and interviews. | Some biographical sources incorrectly list his wife as “Filippa.” The correct name is Nukaaka. |
| Date of birth: July 27, 1970 – verified by public records. | Upcoming projects: Listed on IMDb but may change or be cancelled; not officially confirmed by the actor. |
| Breakthrough role: Nattevagten (Denmark, 1994) and Black Hawk Down (International, 2001). | Early life: Aspired to be a soccer player, but specific details about his youth football career are not widely documented. |
How Did a Danish Actor Conquer Hollywood?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s transition from Danish stage and screen to international Hollywood stardom is notable for its careful trajectory. Unlike many actors who leap directly to American productions, he built a solid foundation in Danish cinema, working with directors like Ole Bornedal. His role in Black Hawk Down in 2001 opened the door to Hollywood, but he continued to balance American projects with work in Scandinavia, such as the 2011 Norwegian film Headhunters.
Of course, Game of Thrones was the event that catapulted him to global fame. The series provided not only visibility but also a complex character that allowed him to demonstrate his range. Jaime Lannister evolved from a villainous figure in the first season to a more nuanced anti-hero over the course of eight seasons, a journey that Coster-Waldau navigated with considerable skill.
Since the show’s conclusion in 2019, he has been selective with his projects, choosing a mix of streaming series, independent films, and Danish productions. He is also increasingly active as a producer, taking more control over the types of stories he helps bring to the screen.
Quotes and Sources
The following sources provide the factual basis for this biography. For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information, these are recommended starting points.
- Wikipedia – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- IMDb – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Rotten Tomatoes – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau movies
- EBSCO Research Starters – Biography
- Web.de – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
“I think the great thing about ‘Game of Thrones’ is that it’s not just a fantasy story—it’s about human nature, power, and corruption.”
— Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, interview with The Guardian (2019)
In Summary: The Many Facets of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is a Danish actor, best known as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, who has built a diverse career in both European and American cinema. At 187 cm tall, he is married to Nukaaka Coster-Waldau, a Greenlandic singer, and they have two daughters. His estimated net worth is in the multi-million dollar range, though unconfirmed. From his early work in Danish film to his international breakthrough in Black Hawk Down and his enduring legacy as the Kingslayer, his career reflects a commitment to challenging roles and a refusal to be typecast. For a similar profile on a respected character actor, read our Toby Jones – Biography, Height, Wife, Net Worth and Movies article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau related to other actors?
No, he is not known to be related to any other actors. His wife Nukaaka is a former Miss Greenland and a singer, not an actress.
Did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau do his own stunts in Game of Thrones?
He performed many of his own stunts, especially in sword-fighting scenes, under the supervision of the stunt team.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s greatest acting achievement?
Winning a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Game of Thrones (2015) is often cited as a highlight.
How did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau prepare for the role of Jaime Lannister?
He studied the books by George R.R. Martin, worked with dialect coaches, and underwent extensive sword training.
Does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau speak English with a Danish accent?
Yes, he speaks English with a slight Danish accent, but his dialogue in Game of Thrones was coached to a standard English accent for the role.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s favorite movie he has worked on?
In interviews, he has mentioned Black Hawk Down as a significant early experience in his career.
Where does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau currently live?
He splits his time between Denmark and the United States, primarily in Los Angeles.
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