Date of Birth

11 December 1981, Anklam, East Germany [now Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany]

Nickname

Matthi

Height

5' 10¾" (1.8 m)

Mini Biography

Matthias Schweighöfer is one of the most successful German actors. Born into a family of actors, he soon knew he belonged in front of a camera, too. His parents, the theatre actors Gitta Schweighöfer and Michael Schweighöfer, often took him to some of their rehearsals, so he later participated in his high school's drama group in Chemnitz, Germany. After his graduation, he went to Berlin, where he is still living. His first role in a feature film was Changing Skins (1997), directed by Andreas Dresen. In the following years, he appeared in critically acclaimed projects such as Soloalbum (2003), Kammerflimmern (2004) or Eight Miles High (2007), which brought him several important awards. In 2011 he built up the production company PANTALEON ENTERTAIMENT, together with Dan Maag. Matthias Schweighöfer is known for his latest movies like _Der geilste Tag (2016)_, _Der Nanny (2015)_ und _Vaterfreuden (2014)_. Furthermore he produced, directed and played the leading role in the first German-language Amazon Original Series _You Are Wanted (2017)_. The first season was launched in over 200 countries and in 6 different languages. In 2017, he also launched his debut Album "Lachen Weinen Tanzen".

Trivia

• Son of actor Michael Schweighöfer and actress Gitta Schweighöfer.
• Is fluent in German and English and has basic knowledge in French.
• Plays the piano and the violin.
• Provided his voice for the part of Thomas in the German version of Tom Tykwer's True (2004).
• Lives in Berlin.
• He loves writing poems and his favorite author is Max Frisch.
• Collaborated with Jessica Schwarz in Friends of Friends (2002), Cold Spring (2004), Kammerflimmern (2004) and Lulu (2006).
• Enjoys running and swimming.
• Studied acting at the School of Theater "Ernst Busch" in Berlin.
• Although suffering from aviatophobia (fear of flying), he portrayed war pilot Manfred von Richthofen in The Red Baron (2008).
• His role in Keinohrhasen (2007) was one of the last roles in the movie to be cast. Til Schweiger mentioned that he simply couldn't find a suitable actor for the role as Moritz the paparazzi, so he let his friend Matthias Schweighöfer audition for it and eventually had found a suitable actor.
• Had to cut his hair for his part in Keinohrhasen (2007).
• Godfather of his daughter Greta is Silbermond drummer Andreas Nowak.
• Due to his phobia of flying, he never flies within Germany. He always drives. Every time he flies outside of Germany, he has to talk to his therapist before boarding the plane.
• Is often teased about his uncanny resemblance to Game of Thrones (2011) character Brienne of Tarth played by British actress Gwendoline Christie.

Trademarks:

• Freckles
  
• Blond hair
  

Quotes

• [2007] I now haven't smoked anymore for nine months, I rebelled against 40 cigarettes a day and nonetheless I caught myself letting my mother smoke in my apartment. Because she says: "You have become a square."
• [What is the meanest comment you ever read about yourself?] "You look like that actress from Game of Thrones, Brienne of Tarth" or whatever her name is.
• [Joko und Klaas gegen ProSieben (2019); he and Andreas Nowak have to guess whether it is Klaas Heufer-Umlauf or Joko Winterscheidt who is currently holding/petting either a baby rabbit or a tarantula respectively] Excuse me, what, please?! [host Steven Gätjen repeats question] Please... Is it [the tarantula] a real one? [giggling nervously after Gätjen confirms it is]
• [Joko und Klaas gegen ProSieben (2019); taking a look from a distance at the tarantula Klaas Heufer-Umlauf is holding quite contentedly] Whoa, f**k! Can it jump? [Steven Gätjen: Yes.] If it can jump, I will go over there. [walks further away from the spider] Oh my God, that is really disgusting! That is... unbelievable!
• [Do you also use your status as a well known person in real life?] Never. I am also not that aware of it. It is others who regard you as a celebrity. I like to keep out of this and put my hood up. If this status exists, I don't want to use it. If a name helps at work, helps a project materialize, it is alright. But in my personal life I would never do that.