Peter Dinklage
An actor of profound wit and presence who shattered Hollywood stereotypes and commanded the screen as television's most beloved strategist.
Born 1969 (age 57)·American actor·Birthday: June 11·Generation X
Biography
Peter Dinklage didn't just arrive in Hollywood; he recalibrated its expectations. After years of refusing roles that demeaned his stature, his breakthrough in 'The Station Agent' revealed a unique capacity for quiet, magnetic depth. This integrity set the stage for his defining role as Tyrion Lannister in 'Game of Thrones,' a character he imbued with a dazzling combination of vulnerability, intellect, and razor-sharp wit. Dinklage didn't play a dwarf in a fantasy series; he played the most human character in a world of giants and dragons, earning unprecedented critical acclaim and making him a global star. His success opened doors, leading to a diverse filmography where he moves between blockbusters and indies with ease, always choosing characters defined by their complexity, not their physicality. He stands as a testament to the power of talent and principle over convention.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Peter was born in 1969, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Peter Was Born
The biggest hits of 1969
#1 Movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Best Picture
Midnight Cowboy
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Peter's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1969Born
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1974Started school
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1982Became a teenager
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Could drive
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1987Could vote
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Turned 21
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1999Turned 30
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 40
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 50
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 57 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Tyrion Lannister in 'Game of Thrones'.
- Received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for 'Game of Thrones' in 2012.
- Earned critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his leading role in the film 'The Station Agent'.
- Provided the voice for the lead character Mighty Eagle in the 'Angry Birds' animated film series.
Did You Know?
He is a passionate vegan and an advocate for animal rights.
Dinklage is married to theater director Erica Schmidt, and they have collaborated on stage productions.
He performed in a punk rock band called 'Whizzy' before focusing on acting.
He turned down the role of Dr. Niko Tatopoulos in the 1998 film 'Godzilla' because he found the portrayal of the character offensive.
“I'm not a fan of the word 'dwarf' in a lot of ways, because it's not what I am. I'm an actor. I'm a father. I'm a husband.”
