Matthias Schweighöfer

Matthias Schweighöfer (German: [maˈtiːas ˈʃvaɪkˌhøːfɐ] ⓘ; born 11 March 1981) is a German actor and filmmaker known for his work in several German and American film productions. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Franz Herber in the 2008 film Valkyrie. In 2021, Schweighöfer appeared in the Netflix film Army of the Dead, directed by Zack Snyder, as Ludwig Dieter. He reprised his role in the prequel film, Army of Thieves, which he also directed.

Matthias Schweighöfer
Schweighöfer in 2020
Born (1981-03-11) 11 March 1981
Anklam, East Germany
Occupations
  • Actor
  • filmmaker
Years active1997–present
Children2

Early life

Born in Anklam, Western Pomerania, Schweighöfer attended Berlin's renowned acting school Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts, but dropped out after one year.[1] Nevertheless, the son of actors[2] had already worked with established directors such as Peter Greenaway.

Career

His first role in a feature film was Changing Skins (1997), directed by Andreas Dresen. In the following years, he appeared in projects such as Soloalbum (2003), Off Beat (2004), Eight Miles High (2007) and Rabbit Without Ears.[1] Schweighöfer portrayed Lieutenant Franz Herber in Valkyrie, a 2008 film dramatizing the failed 20 July assassination and political coup plot to kill Adolf Hitler. The international release of Valkyrie and the all-star cast (including Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Terence Stamp and Bill Nighy) not only allowed Schweighöfer to be recognized abroad, it provided an opportunity for him to be cast in other English speaking roles.

In 2009, Schweighöfer founded the fashion label German Garment with TV presenter Joko Winterscheidt.[3]

In 2010, he made his debut as film director with the romantic comedy What a Man, followed in 2013 by his second movie Break Up Man. In 2017, he directed, produced and played the lead role in You Are Wanted, Amazon Studios' first non-English-language TV series.[4][5]

In 2021, Schweighöfer appeared in the Netflix film Army of the Dead, directed by Zack Snyder, as Ludwig Dieter. He reprised his role in the prequel film, Army of Thieves, which he also directed.[6][7]

In 2021/2022, he took on the role of real-life music producer Frank Farian in the biopic Girl You Know It's True about the scandalous pop duo Milli Vanilli, written and directed by Simon Verhoeven, produced by Wiedemann & Berg Film.[8] The film is set to be released theatrically by Leonine in 2023.[9]

In 2023, he portrayed physicist Werner Heisenberg in the Christopher Nolan biopic Oppenheimer.

Personal life

Between 2004 and 2012, Schweighöfer dated Ani Schromm, and they got together again in the summer of 2013. They have a daughter born in 2009 and a son born in 2014.[10] Schweighöfer and Schromm later separated, and as of 2019 Schweighöfer has been in a relationship with his Army of Thieves co-star Ruby O. Fee.[11] Schweighöfer lives in Berlin.

Awards
Schweighöfer at the Berlinale 2008
  • 2000: German Television Prize – Promotional Award for the performance in Verbotenes Verlangen
  • 2002: Günter Strack TV Award – Best Young Actor for the performance in Tatort - Gewaltfieber
  • 2003: Golden Camera – "Curt Jürgens Memorial Camera" for best newcomer and performances in Friends of Friends & Soloalbum
  • 2003: Adolf Grimme Award – For the performance in Friends of Friends
  • 2003: New Faces Award – Best Actor
  • 2004: Bavarian Film Award – Best Young Actor
  • 2004: Baden-Baden TV and Film Festival – Special award for the outstanding performances in Baal and Cold Spring
  • 2005: Undine Award – Best Young Actor (TV) for the performance in The Young Schiller
  • 2006: DIVA-Award – Best Actor for the performances in Kammerflimmern, The Young Schiller and Polly Blue Eyes
  • 2007: Undine Award – Best Young Actor (feature film) for the performance in Eight Miles High
  • 2007: Bambi Award – Film – National – Male
  • 2009: Golden Camera – Best German Actor for the performance in The Author of Himself: The Life of Marcel Reich-Ranicki
  • 2010: Jupiter Award – Best Male Actor (TV) for his performance in The Author of Himself: The Life of Marcel Reich-Ranicki
  • 2011: GQ Man of the Year – Film National

Selected filmography

Director

Year Title Director Producer Writer
2011 What a Man Yes Yes Yes
2013 Break Up Man Yes Yes No
2014 Joy of Fatherhood Yes Yes Yes
2015 The Manny Yes Yes Yes
2017 You Are Wanted Yes Yes No
2021 Army of Thieves Yes Yes No

Actor

Theatre

Audiobooks
  • 2008: Slam by Nick Hornby, ISBN 978-3867178600
  • 2008: Die Traumnovelle by Arthur Schnitzler, ISBN 978-3829122092

References
  1. Matthias Schweighöfer at IMDb 
  2. Jochen Kürten (26 August 2007). "Matthias Schweighöfer — mehr als nur gutes Aussehen" [Matthias Schweighöfer — more than just a pretty face]. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  3. "About Us". German Garment. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  4. "First Germany-made Amazon TV series to star Matthias Schweighöfer". Deutsche Welle. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  5. Jochen Kürten (16 March 2017). "Neue Amazon-Serie mit Schweighöfer: You Are Wanted" [New Amazon series with Schweighöfer: You Are Wanted]. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  6. "Matthias Schweighöfer Interview: Army of the Dead". ScreenRant. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  7. "Army Of Thieves: Everything We Know About The Army Of The Dead Prequel". ScreenRant. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  8. Kroll, Justin (31 August 2022). "Milli Vanilli Biopic 'Girl You Know It's True' First-Look Photos Revealed By Leonine Studios". Deadline. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  9. Roxborough, Scott (1 September 2022). "Milli Vanilli Biopic Players Revealed in 'Girl You Know It's True' First Look". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  10. "Und sie lieben sich doch! Eine filmreife Love-Story" [And they love each other! A love story fit for film]. Bild. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  11. "Matthias Schweighöfer Girlfriend - Dating His Army of Thieves Castmate Ruby O. Fee for over 2 Years!". 29 October 2021.
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