Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is a Danish actor best known for playing the complex Jaime Lannister in the hit series Game of Thrones, a role that made him one of the most recognisable faces on television and earned him two Emmy nominations. With his striking screen presence and his gift for playing charming, flawed men who grow and change, he has built a career that spans television, film and theatre, and he has become known as much for his warmth off screen as for his intensity on it.
| Full Name | Nikolaj Coster-Waldau |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1970 |
| Age | 56 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Rudkøbing, Denmark |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m) |
| Profession | Actor, producer |
| Known For | Game of Thrones, Shot Caller, The Other Woman |
| Wife | Nukâka Coster-Waldau (married 1998) |
| Children | Two, Filippa and Safina |
| Net Worth | Approx. $16 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is an actor who became a star playing charming, flawed men. He first found fame in Denmark with the film Nightwatch in 1994, in which he played Martin, a law student who takes a job as a night watchman, a performance that made him a star in his home country. He then appeared in the films Oblivion in 2013, in which he played Sykes, and The Other Woman in 2014, in which he played Mark King.
Coster-Waldau became known to a new generation as Jaime Lannister in the HBO series Game of Thrones in 2011, a role that made him a household name and that earned him two Emmy nominations. He also appeared in Shot Caller in 2017, in which he played Jacob Harlon, a performance that earned him widespread praise, and in Gods of Egypt in 2016, in which he played Horus.
Early Life & Background
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was born on July 27, 1970, in Rudkøbing, Denmark, the son of a librarian father, and he grew up in Tybjerg, Denmark, where he attended the Danish National School of Theatre in Copenhagen, graduating in 1993. He began acting as a teenager, appearing in school plays, and he was discovered by a casting agent while performing in a student production.
After graduating from the Danish National School of Theatre, Coster-Waldau appeared in the film Nightwatch, in which he played Martin, and he became known as one of the finest young actors in Denmark. He also appeared on television, including in the series Game of Thrones, and in film, including in Oblivion, which made him a star.
He has been married to Nukâka Coster-Waldau, a Greenlandic actress and former Miss Greenland, since 1998, and they have two daughters, Filippa and Safina. He is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, and he lives in Copenhagen and Los Angeles.
Career
Coster-Waldau’s breakthrough came with Game of Thrones in 2011, in which he played Jaime Lannister, opposite Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister. The show became one of the most successful television series of all time, and Coster-Waldau’s performance was praised for its complexity and its power, and for the way he made Jaime’s journey, from a villain to a hero, feel real.
After Game of Thrones, Coster-Waldau appeared in Shot Caller, Gods of Egypt and The Silencing, and he produced and starred in the television series The Last Thing He Told Me. He also appeared in the film A Second Chance and in the television series New Amsterdam, and he continues to act in television and film.
Like fellow Game of Thrones star Sean Bean, Coster-Waldau is known for a defining role in a fantasy epic, and for the warmth and intensity he brings to every performance. He continues to act and produce, and he remains one of the most beloved actors in cinema and television.
Facts About Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau played Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones for eight seasons, earning two Emmy nominations.
- He starred in the Danish film Nightwatch in 1994, which made him a star in Denmark.
- He was born in Rudkøbing, Denmark, in 1970, and studied at the Danish National School of Theatre.
- He is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.
- He has been married to Nukâka Coster-Waldau since 1998, and they have two daughters, Filippa and Safina.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was born on July 27, 1970, which makes him 56 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is 6 feet 2 inches tall (1.87 metres).
Who is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau married to?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has been married to Nukâka Coster-Waldau since 1998. They have two daughters, Filippa and Safina.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s net worth?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s net worth is estimated at approximately $16 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau best known for?
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is best known for playing Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones.