Hugo Weaving is an Australian actor best known as Agent Smith in The Matrix trilogy, Elrond in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, and V in V for Vendetta. His deep voice, precise diction and commanding screen presence have made him one of the most recognisable character actors in world cinema, even though many of his most famous roles hide his face behind sunglasses, a mask or pointed ears.
At 66, Weaving remains a leading figure in Australian theatre and film. He is a founding member of the Sydney Theatre Company ensemble, a multiple AFI and AACTA Award winner, and the voice of Megatron in the Transformers films. Off screen, he has been in a relationship with Katrina Greenwood since 1984, and they have two adult children.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Hugo Wallace Weaving |
| Date of Birth | 4 April 1960 |
| Age | 66 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Partner | Katrina Greenwood (1984–present) |
| Children | Two (son Harry and daughter Holly) |
| Nationality | Australian |
Who Is Hugo Weaving?
Hugo Weaving is an Australian actor of English birth who became an international star in the late 1990s. He played Agent Smith, the relentless computer program, in The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003). He then played the elf lord Elrond in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit films, and the masked vigilante V in V for Vendetta (2005).
Before Hollywood, Weaving was already a celebrated actor in Australia. He won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor for Proof (1991), in which he played a blind photographer, and became a household name as Mitzi Del Bra, the drag queen, in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994). He has also been the voice of Megatron in Michael Bay’s Transformers films and Rex the sheepdog in Babe.
Early Life & Background
Hugo Wallace Weaving was born on 4 April 1960 in Ibadan, Nigeria, where his English father, Wallace Weaving, a seismologist, and his mother, Anne, a teacher and former tour guide, were living at the time. The family moved to Bedford, England, when he was a year old, then to South Africa, before settling in Australia when Weaving was 13 years old.
Weaving attended Knox Grammar School in Sydney, where he first performed on stage as Captain Stirrick in a school production of The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew. He was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager. He trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, graduating in 1981, and began his career on the Australian stage and in television, including the miniseries Bodyline (1984), in which he played cricketer Douglas Jardine.
Career
Weaving’s early film work included Proof (1991), Priscilla (1994) and The Interview (1998), for which he won his second AFI Award for Best Actor. He also appeared in the Australian films The Adventures of Priscilla and Bedrooms and Hallways (1998), and voiced Rex in the family classic Babe (1995).
After The Matrix, Weaving worked steadily in major studio films, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), V for Vendetta, Transformers (2007), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), in which he played the Red Skull, and Cloud Atlas (2012), in which he played six roles. In Australia he has starred in Little Fish (2005), Last Ride (2009), Oranges and Sunshine (2010), The Dressmaker (2015), Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and The Mule (2014), which he also co-directed.
On stage, Weaving has been a mainstay of the Sydney Theatre Company, winning the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Actor for Uncle Vanya (2010) and appearing in Waiting for Godot and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2018). On television he has appeared in the Australian series Rake and Patrick Melrose (2018), in which he played David Melrose, opposite Benedict Cumberbatch. His recent film work includes Mortal Engines (2018), The Royal Hotel (2023) and How to Make Gravy (2024).
Facts About Hugo Weaving
- He is the uncle of actress Samara Weaving.
- He played six different roles in the Wachowskis’ film Cloud Atlas (2012).
- He was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager and has spoken about living with the condition.
- He did not return as Agent Smith in The Matrix Resurrections (2021) because of a scheduling conflict with a theatre production.
- He is a long-time supporter of animal rights and is a vegetarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Hugo Weaving?
Hugo Weaving was born on 4 April 1960, making him 66 years old as of November 2026.
Where is Hugo Weaving from?
He was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, to English parents, and moved to Australia when he was 13. He is an Australian actor.
Who is Hugo Weaving’s partner?
He has been in a relationship with Katrina Greenwood since 1984. They have two children, son Harry and daughter Holly.
What is Hugo Weaving best known for?
He is best known as Agent Smith in The Matrix films, Elrond in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, V in V for Vendetta, and the Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger.
What is Hugo Weaving doing now?
He continues to work in Australian theatre and film, most recently appearing in The Royal Hotel (2023) and How to Make Gravy (2024).