CHRISTOPH WALTZ. His maternal grandmother was Burgtheater actress Maria Mayen, and his step-grandfather was actor Emmerich Reimers. LOS ANGELES - Christoph Waltz has mastered Quentin Tarantino's linguistic legerdemain in four languages. The Hollywood Reporter, LLC is a subsidiary of Prometheus Global Media, LLC. Check out our blog to find out who speaks two or more languages. He effortlessly displayed his skills in the 2009 movie Inglorious Basterds, in which he had lines in all three languages. In Quentin Tarantino's 2009 film Inglourious Basterds, Waltz portrayed SS-Standartenführer Hans Landa, also known as "The Jew Hunter". You can see that isn't Hitler, yet you take it for Hitler. The work with Quentin, it reminded me of why I wanted to be an actor.". Empty BERLIN -- Christoph Waltz, star of Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds," is gazing out at Rosa Luxembourg Platz in East Berlin. Waltz shakes his head. [33] In July 2019, it was reported that Waltz would reprise the role in No Time to Die (2020).[34]. There are things, you see, that can't be translated. That's interesting. This performance won him an Academy Award, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for best supporting actor. He studied French poetry at Columbia University and still conducts the occasional interview in French. [9][17] In the late 1970s, Waltz spent some time in New York City where he trained with Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler. "To me, it is a desperately desired relief from that," he says. [18] He also performed in Vienna, Salzburg, Cologne and Hamburg. [35] In July 2016, he portrayed lead villain Captain Leon Rom, a corrupt Belgian captain, in the reboot The Legend of Tarzan. In 2012 he played Dr. King Schultz in Django Unchained (2012), Tarantino's next film after Inlgourious Basterds. Christoph Waltz has dated – Jackie – Christoph Waltz’s first wife was Jackie, who worked as a psychotherapist and was from New York City. Build. [9][37] The two lived in London and their marriage lasted 17 years. [5] For his role as Walter Keane, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor. Know of any polyglot celebrities? [12], Waltz's father died when he was seven years old,[7] and his mother later married composer and conductor Alexander Steinbrecher. [9][12] He became a prolific television actor in the years 1980 to 2000. He is the son of German-born Johannes Waltz and Austrian-born Elisabeth Urbancic, set and stage designers. She has taught Spanish to both her children, wanting to raise them to be bilingual. They are pieces of art. He studied script interpretation under Adler, and credits his analytical approach to her teaching. Almost every critic has mentioned Waltz's dazzling language skills; the Cannes audience in particular was won over by his beautiful French. )", "Christoph Waltz to Return as Blofeld in 'Bond 25, "Actor Christoph Waltz will direct and star in 'The Worst Marriage in Georgetown, "On the life and work of Edgar Hilsenrath. [21] Waltz received the Best Actor Award for the performance at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and received acclaim from critics and the public. The show is a story of intrigue and misdeeds set in the offices of the European Union in Brussels.[20]. For each performance, he earned an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. If you read Christoph Waltz of 'Inglourious Basterds': The Austrian-born Waltz speaks three languages fluently -- German, French and English -- and can fake Italian pretty well, as "Inglourious Basterds" (Aug. 21) proves. Scott Roxborough In 2000, he made his directorial debut, with the German-language television production Wenn man sich traut. Almost every critic has mentioned Waltz's dazzling language skills; the Cannes audience in particular was won over by his beautiful French. Brad Pitt called him "an inspiration." "When I won in Cannes, I thanked Quentin for giving me back my vocation, and I meant it," Waltz says. (Spoilers! If you ever hear Bradley Cooper speak French in a movie, you can be assured it is the real deal. She still spends time in Spain visiting the same host family and speaks fluent Spanish. He pauses, then adds, "Berlin, for me, is the capital of missed opportunities.". "[42], European Film Academy Achievement in World Cinema Award, Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Death, Deceit and Destiny Aboard the Orient Express, List of awards and nominations received by Christoph Waltz, List of German Academy Award winners and nominees, "Pass-Hickhack: Christoph Waltz wird im Eilverfahren zum Österreicher – Nachrichten Kultur", "Österreichische Staatsbürgerschaft für Christoph Waltz, "Waltz fühlt sich definitiv als Österreicher – Boulevard", "Christoph Waltz Wins The Academy Award For Best Actor In A Supporting Role", "The next James Bond film is called Spectre: new car, poster, and full cast confirmed", "Urbantschitsch, Viktor von (1847–1921), Otologe", "Christoph Waltz, Directing Opera, Moves From Tarantino to Verdi", "Zero Theorem: the world according to Christoph Waltz", "Hollywood's favorite bad guy Christoph Waltz turns 60", "Christoph Waltz und der Sprayer von Zürich", Film Awards Winners in 2010 - Film Awards - Film - The BAFTA site, "2015 Oscars: Nominees - 87th Academy Awards Nominations", "Christoph Waltz admires Tarantino's to-the-heart style", "Christoph Waltz Dislocates Pelvic Bone During 'Django Unchained' Training", "Christoph Waltz Signs to Star Opposite Michael Douglas in Reykjavik", "Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz, Ang Lee Among Cannes Jury Members", "Weinstein sets awards season dates for Big Eyes, Imitation Game and Eleanor Rigby", "So Who Does Christoph Waltz Play in 'SPECTRE'? Born and raised in Germany, Christoph Waltz is trilingual. [28] In April 2013, he was selected as a member of the main competition jury at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. They use film to its full potential as a medium. [40] He speaks all three of these in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, and although his character in Inglourious Basterds also spoke Italian, Waltz said on the Adam Carolla Podcast that he is not fluent in Italian. Height. She is not only an accomplished linguist, but a published research scientist, director and mother.