Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is a Danish actor, producer, and screenwriter best known internationally for playing Jaime Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Born on 27 July 1970 in Rudkøbing, Denmark, he has worked professionally since 1993.
Before Game of Thrones, he had already built a varied career across Danish film and international productions. His credits include the Danish thriller Nightwatch, Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, Firewall, New Amsterdam, Oblivion, Mama, and Gods of Egypt.
His biography, filmography, family, and reported earnings all deserve a closer look, especially where public records remain incomplete.
Who Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau? Biography and Early Life
Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau was born on 27 July 1970 in Rudkøbing, Denmark. He trained at the Danish National School of Theatre and Contemporary Dance in Copenhagen and graduated in 1993, as documented in his EBSCO research profile.
He is Danish by nationality and has worked as an actor, producer, and screenwriter, according to public encyclopedia profiles.
His parents separated when he was young, and he was largely raised by his mother, Hanne Søborg Coster. His father, Jørgen Oscar Fritzer Waldau, reportedly struggled with alcoholism.
Born
27 July 1970, Rudkøbing, Denmark
Height
Approximately 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Spouse
Nukâka Coster-Waldau (married 1998)
Known For
Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones
A few key points stand out:
- Best known globally for playing Jaime Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
- Made his screen breakthrough in the Danish thriller Nightwatch (1994).
- Appeared in Hollywood films including Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, Firewall, Oblivion, and Gods of Egypt.
- Also works as a producer and screenwriter on Danish and international projects.
- Has been married to Greenlandic-Danish actress and singer Nukâka Coster-Waldau since 1998.
- Reported net worth estimates range from roughly $10 million to $16 million, depending on the source.
The table below collects the core facts:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau |
| Birthdate | 27 July 1970 |
| Birthplace | Rudkøbing, Denmark |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Profession | Actor, producer, screenwriter |
| Education | Danish National School of Theatre, Copenhagen (1993) |
| Notable Role | Jaime Lannister, Game of Thrones |
| Height | Approximately 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in), varies by database |
| Spouse | Nukâka Coster-Waldau (married 1998) |
| Children | Two daughters: Filippa and Safina |
| Estimated Net Worth | Roughly $10 million–$16 million, depending on the source |
How Old Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
He was born on 27 July 1970. In 2025, he is 54 until 27 July and 55 after that date.
How Tall Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Height figures vary slightly among entertainment databases. He is commonly listed at approximately 1.87 m, or 6 ft 2 in.
Where Was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Born?
He was born in Rudkøbing, Denmark.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography
Coster-Waldau’s first major screen role came in the Danish thriller Nattevagten, known internationally as Nightwatch, in 1994. That film marked his breakthrough in Scandinavia.
He gained early international exposure in Ridley Scott’s war film Black Hawk Down in 2001. He later appeared in Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Firewall (2006), New Amsterdam (2008), Oblivion (2013), Mama (2013), and Gods of Egypt (2016). After Game of Thrones, he continued with projects such as the Apple TV+ series The Last Thing He Told Me, in which he played Owen Michaels.
What Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Role in Game of Thrones?
He played Ser Jaime Lannister in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, which ran from 2011 to 2019. The performance brought him global recognition and Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. For more on another actor from the series, see Maisie Williams – Arya Stark Return, Witchcraft & Career 2026.
Was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in Black Hawk Down?
Yes. He appeared in the 2001 war film Black Hawk Down, directed by Ridley Scott, playing Sergeant Gary Gordon.
What Was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s First Movie?
His first major film role was in the Danish thriller Nattevagten, released internationally as Nightwatch, in 1994.
| Year | Film or series | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Nattevagten (Nightwatch) | Martin |
| 2001 | Black Hawk Down | Gary Gordon |
| 2005 | Kingdom of Heaven | Village Sheriff |
| 2006 | Firewall | Liam |
| 2008 | New Amsterdam | John Amsterdam |
| 2011–2019 | Game of Thrones | Jaime Lannister |
| 2013 | Mama | Lucas |
| 2013 | Oblivion | Sykes |
| 2016 | Gods of Egypt | Horus |
| 2017 | Small Crimes | Joe Denton |
| 2019 | Suicide Tourist | Max |
| 2020 | The Silencing | Rayburn Swanson |
| 2021 | Against the Ice | Ejnar Mikkelsen |
| 2022 | The 3rd Wave | — |
| 2023 | The Last Thing He Told Me | Owen Michaels |
| 2023 | God Is a Bullet | — |
Coster-Waldau’s acting credits span historical drama, war films, thrillers, science fiction, horror, fantasy, and television drama. He has also worked as a producer and screenwriter on Danish and international projects.
Who Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Wife?
Coster-Waldau married Sascha Nukâka Motzfeldt, professionally known as Nukâka Coster-Waldau, in 1998. She is a Greenlandic-Danish actress, singer, and former Miss Greenland, as noted in her IMDb biography.
The couple have two daughters, Filippa and Safina, and have been reported as living primarily in the Copenhagen area. Coster-Waldau has generally kept his private life away from extensive media coverage.
The couple’s daughter Filippa appeared in the Danish short film The Girl and the Dogs, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014.
Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Married?
Yes. He married Nukâka, a Greenlandic-Danish actress and singer, in 1998.
Does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Have Children?
He has two daughters with Nukâka: Filippa and Safina.
He has said that he is not religious, although he was baptized and confirmed in the Danish Lutheran church as a young man.
What Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Net Worth?
Public celebrity-finance websites commonly estimate Coster-Waldau’s net worth at approximately $16 million, although this figure has not been independently confirmed through audited financial records.
Other online estimates attribute a substantial share of his wealth to his long tenure on Game of Thrones and reported compensation during the show’s later seasons. Exact contract terms and total earnings are not publicly verifiable.
How Did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Earn His Money?
His income has come primarily from acting, television contracts, film work, producing, endorsements, and other entertainment-related activities. Some online reports have cited per-episode earnings in the range of $1 million to $2 million during the later seasons of Game of Thrones, though those figures were never officially confirmed.
- Estimated net worth: roughly $10 million to $16 million, depending on the source.
- Main income sources: acting, television contracts, film work, producing, endorsements, and other entertainment-related activities.
- Confidence: moderate to low, because celebrity net-worth estimates are usually unofficial.
Celebrity net-worth figures are not audited. Reported estimates for Coster-Waldau range from roughly $10 million to $16 million, and his exact earnings are not publicly verifiable.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Early Career and Breakthrough
Before his screen breakthrough, Coster-Waldau trained at the Danish National School of Theatre and Contemporary Dance in Copenhagen. He graduated in 1993 and worked in Danish television before moving into film.
His stage work included playing Laertes in Hamlet at Copenhagen’s Betty Nansen Theatre.
What Did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Do Before Acting?
He trained as an actor at the Danish National School of Theatre, graduated in 1993, and worked in Danish television before his film debut in Nightwatch (1994).
What Are the Key Milestones in Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Life and Career?
The main milestones in his life and career are listed below:
- — Born in Rudkøbing, Denmark.
- — Graduated from the Danish National School of Theatre.
- — Breakthrough role in Nightwatch.
- — Married Nukâka.
- — Appeared in Black Hawk Down.
- — Appeared in King Arthur.
- — Played Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones.
- — Lead role in The Silencing.
- — Starred in The Last Thing He Told Me on Apple TV+.
- — Remains active in international film and television.
These milestones are drawn from public biographical profiles and industry databases.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Most biographical facts about Coster-Waldau are well documented across sources. A few areas, especially around money and upcoming projects, depend on unofficial information.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date, height, spouse, and major filmography are consistently documented across sources. | The exact current net worth figure. Estimates range from roughly $10 million to $16 million. |
| He played Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2019. | Some details of his early career; sources differ on his first television appearance. |
| He has been married to Nukâka since 1998 and has two daughters. | Specific upcoming projects; some announcements may be tentative or outdated. |
What Shaped Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Career?
Coster-Waldau’s trajectory from Danish cinema to international fame is a classic example of a performer moving between industries. He built his early reputation in Scandinavian theatre and film before taking on larger international roles.
His portrayal of Jaime Lannister is considered one of the most complex anti-heroes in television history and earned him sustained critical attention during the run of Game of Thrones.
By 2025, Coster-Waldau remained active in international film and television. Search results identify Smilla’s Sense of Snow as a 2025-related project involving his family, while King and Conqueror has been reported as an anticipated historical drama. Release dates and credits should be checked against official broadcaster, studio, or festival announcements because entertainment databases and secondary sites may list tentative information differently.
His work in historical and fantasy settings, from Kingdom of Heaven to Gods of Egypt, connects naturally to King Arthur – Legend, Flour, and Films Explained.
Which Sources Offer Reliable Information About Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Biographical information about Coster-Waldau is available through encyclopedia entries, industry databases, and the actor’s own official channels. The following quotes reflect how different sources describe his career.
Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau (born 27 July 1970) is a Danish actor. His breakthrough role was in Denmark with the film Nightwatch in 1994.
Wikipedia
He graduated from the Danish National School of Theatre in Copenhagen.
IMDb
Having established himself in a number of Danish films, actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau made himself a known presence in America and abroad.
Rotten Tomatoes
What Is the Best Summary of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Career?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s career follows a steady arc from Danish theatre to international television fame. He remains best known for Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, while continuing to work across European and American productions as an actor, producer, and screenwriter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s real name?
Nikolaj William Coster-Waldau.
Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau active on social media?
Yes. He maintains an Instagram account under the handle @nikolajwilliamcw.
Did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau win any awards for Game of Thrones?
He received several nominations, including Critics’ Choice Television Award nominations. The series itself won multiple Emmy awards during its run.
How many languages does Nikolaj Coster-Waldau speak?
He speaks Danish and English fluently.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s connection to Greenland?
His wife Nukâka is Greenlandic, and he has been an advocate for Greenlandic culture.
Was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in Kingdom of Heaven?
Yes. He appeared in the 2005 historical epic Kingdom of Heaven as a village sheriff.
Did Nikolaj Coster-Waldau play Horus in Gods of Egypt?
Yes. He played the god Horus in the 2016 fantasy film Gods of Egypt.
What was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s role in The Last Thing He Told Me?
He played Owen Michaels in the Apple TV+ series.
Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at DailyCity.co.uk, covering breaking news and general city stories across the UK.