Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Quotes

Powerful Nikolaj Coster-Waldau for Daily Growth

About Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, born on July 27, 1970, in Rudkøbing, Denmark, is an acclaimed Danish actor best known for his portrayal of Jaime Lannister in the HBO series "Game of Thrones." Coster-Waldau's interest in acting was sparked early when he appeared in school plays. After completing high school, he pursued a degree in Marketing and Economics at Copenhagen Business School, but his passion for acting remained strong. He later moved to Italy to study acting at the Piccolo Teatro di Milano before making his professional debut in Danish cinema. In 1996, Coster-Waldau landed a leading role in the Danish film "Nattevagten," which earned him a Bodil Award for Best Actor. His international breakthrough came in 2007 when he was cast as Jaime Lannister in "Game of Thrones." The role brought him critical acclaim and multiple nominations, including an Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Beyond "Game of Thrones," Coster-Waldau has had a prolific career in film and television. He starred alongside Tom Clancy in the movie "Without Remorse" and played the lead role in the Netflix series "The Unforgivable." Coster-Waldau's influences include actors such as Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert De Niro. His work often revolves around complex characters with moral ambiguity, a trait he shares with many of his role models. Off-screen, Coster-Waldau is an active supporter of various charities, including WaterAid and The Red Cross. He lives in New York City with his wife, actress Nathalie Reybel, and their two children. Quotes: 1. "I think every actor dreams about playing the villain because it's so much more interesting." 2. "You can be as strong as you want but there are certain things in life that you can't control." 3. "We live our lives and we make decisions based on the information we have at the time, which may not always be accurate or correct. And then we have to deal with the consequences of those decisions."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there."

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau suggests that acting involves identifying commonalities within characters that seem distinctly different from oneself, and then uncovering personal connections to those roles. This approach allows actors to deliver authentic performances by tapping into universal human emotions and experiences, rather than merely imitating or pretending to be someone else.


"I don't know if I could live with the fact that I didn't try. The what-ifs are always more difficult to deal with than the reality of failure."

This quote highlights the importance of taking action, rather than dwelling on unrealized potential or "what-ifs". It suggests that facing the reality of failure can be less daunting compared to the lingering uncertainty and regret associated with not trying at all. The message encourages a proactive approach towards life's challenges, emphasizing that it's better to give your best effort than to wonder about roads untraveled due to fear or inaction.


"The most interesting people have an air of mystery about them. I like the idea that there's something you don't know and may never find out."

This quote emphasizes the allure of enigmatic individuals who retain a veil of mystery, sparking curiosity in others. It suggests that the unknown elements of someone's personality or life can be fascinating and captivating. The idea is that delving deeper into understanding these people can foster intrigue and inspire us to appreciate their complexity. Ultimately, it highlights the value of embracing the unknown and fostering a sense of curiosity in our interactions with others.


"I think everyone has a dark side, but it's how we control or express that darkness that makes us human."

This quote suggests that every individual possesses an inner complexity, with aspects that can be considered "dark" or challenging. The human condition is characterized by our capacity to manage and express this darkness in a way that is consistent with societal norms and personal values. Essentially, we are all complex beings balancing light and dark elements, and the measure of our humanity lies in how we navigate these complexities responsibly.


"If I can inspire someone to pick up a book they haven't read before, or try a new sport, or go see a film about something they know nothing about, then I feel like I've made a contribution."

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's quote emphasizes the power of inspiration in broadening one's horizons. He suggests that if his work inspires someone to engage with something new – be it a book, sport, or film – he feels he has made a valuable contribution. This demonstrates his belief in the transformative potential of artistic endeavors and the enrichment they bring by encouraging exploration and learning.


Personally, I think fidelity is important. I don't see any point in being together if you're not being honest, having fun together, and respecting one another. Why would you stay in a relationship otherwise?

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Why, I Think, Another, Respecting

There's something liberating about watching someone not following the rules.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Someone, Following, About, Liberating

I know nothing more annoying when people I don't know jump to conclusions on my person based on nothing but gossip or speculation.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

More, Speculation, Based, Conclusions

I couldn't pick up a sword and go fight anyone, let me put it that way. It's choreography and it's acting. The best sword fights you see look amazing, but it's the acting that sells it more than anything.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Best, Anything, Put, Sword

'Game of Thrones' is so unique, and the odds that any of us involved will be in another show like it are very slim, so I'm enjoying the ride.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Game, Will, Very, Game Of Thrones

Tina Fey's autobiography is very, very funny and very well written. It's her life story: it's about how she grows up in New York. There's no obvious reason why I should enjoy this - I mean, this is the autobiography of a woman in her early 40s in New York. I'm a guy from a small town in Denmark.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Small, Reason, Very, Tina

I'm a fan of Ed Norton.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Fan, Norton

The more secrets and twists in a character, the better.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Character, Better, More, Twists

I love political dramas. I love good story-telling.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Love, Political, I Love, Dramas

A villain to me is someone who actively seeks to hurt someone or does things for his own gain.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Villain, Someone, His, Actively

Still, to this day, I can't run on the treadmill. Why not just run outside? I never understood it.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Run, Why, Still, Why Not

Most female actresses will have a very difficult time being made unattractive.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Will, Most, Very, Unattractive

I'm a huge 'Breaking Bad' fan; I would be really annoyed if anyone told me anything about what was going to happen in the last eight episodes.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Bad, Happen, Last, Episodes

The most famous actress who did the 'dumb blond' routine was Marilyn Monroe, but she was a genius actress.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Dumb, Famous, Actress, None

The only thing I find difficult to watch - horror movies - not that I don't like them. Like 'The Shining,' it's one of my favorite movies, but it's terrifying. I feel like I've watched a marathon afterwards.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

The Only Thing, Terrifying, Favorite Movies

I was 15 or 16 when I first saw 'Once Upon A Time In America,' so I was quite young, but I was completely blown away.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Young, Away, Saw, Blown Away

What's great about 'Game of Thrones' is they change the perspective, the POV, all the time. So you will have one story told by one character and you'll go, 'Oh my God, horrible', and then maybe the season after you have the same story told but from the person you thought was just the most horrible, vile creature.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Game, Thought, Maybe, Season

Some of the stuff in Season 3 on 'Game of Thrones' - the amount of mud I had to eat, not intentionally but by accident - was pretty tough.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Game, Some, Amount, Season

What I love about acting is that you are exposed to so many different things. Horse-riding, sailing, travelling to amazing places.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Love, Travelling, About, Different Things

I've never understood why you would turn down a great role.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Never, Role, Would, Understood

My mum was a librarian, and my dad worked in Greenland.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Worked, Mum, Dad, Greenland

Fart jokes still work for me.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Work, Fart, Still, Jokes

There's a recent film, the Swedish movie 'Force Majeure.' I just thought it was brilliant.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Movie, Brilliant, Swedish, Recent

I actually met a cop who worked with street gangs. I wanted to understand what drives someone who deals with very hardened criminals on a daily basis. How do you turn that off when you go home at night?

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Turn, Cop, Very, Hardened

I'm in a monogamous relationship and have been for many, many years. I think it's a choice. I don't think you can generalize, though, and what works for me may not work for other people, but I don't think everybody cheats. We're all different.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Other, Been, Everybody, Generalize

You have to be sharp when the camera's rolling. I want to be totally unselfconscious, like a child playing. I do as much prep as possible so I can lose myself for those seconds.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Lose, Want, Like, Camera

I always feel for the younger cast members in 'Game of Thrones.' They're really clever and smart.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Game, Always, Younger, Cast Members

I think the core of Jaime Lannister is actually that final line in the pilot when he says, 'The things I do for love.' He might do horrible things - and they are truly, some of them, horrific. There's no excuses. But he does it out of what he sees as a necessity, out of love.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Love, Some, I Think, Excuses

I think what's great is that, when HBO commit, they go in all guns blazing. They attract the very best set designers, the whole thing.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Think, Very, Blazing, HBO

Most people can relate to that whole annoying thing when people think they know who you are.

- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Think, Most, Relate, Annoying

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