Christoph Waltz (born October 4, 1956) is an Austrian-German actor known for his sharp, eloquent performances, often playing sophisticated yet menacing characters. He rose to international fame with Quentin Tarantino’s films Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, winning two Academy Awards for his performances.
Early Life & Background
- Born in Vienna, Austria, into a family of theater professionals.
- Studied acting at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna and later at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York.
- Worked in European television and theater for decades before his Hollywood breakthrough.
Acting Career
- Gained global recognition as Colonel Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds (2009), winning an Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.
- Won a second Academy Award for playing Dr. King Schultz in Django Unchained (2012).
- Portrayed Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the James Bond villain, in Spectre (2015) and No Time to Die (2021).
- Other notable roles:
- Big Eyes (2014) as art forger Walter Keane
- Alita: Battle Angel (2019) as Dr. Dyson Ido
- The French Dispatch (2021)
- Known for his multilingual skills, often acting in English, German, and French.
Personal Life & Style
- Christoph Waltz is known for his intellectual, witty, and precise acting style, bringing depth to villainous and morally complex characters.
- Has a passion for opera, classical music, and literature.
- Holds both Austrian and German citizenship and lives in both countries.
