Hugo Wallace Weaving was born on 4th April, 1960 in Ibadan, Nigeria. Though born in Africa, Weaving’s family moved back to England when he was a baby and then to Australia. He returned to England for boarding school but got his acting degree from Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art. His first major film was Bangkok Hilton, with Australian leading lady, Nicole Kidman in 1989.
Career Highlights
At sixty, Hugo is perhaps best known as an actor for two roles; the elf-lord, Elrond, in the three “Lord of the Rings” movies and for playing Agent Smith in the “Matrix” sagas. He went on to star in many films, but none gave him the exposure of the LOTR or Matrix movies. Weaving also acted in films such as: “Babe: A Pig in the City”, “Happy Feet”, “Transformers” and more.
As part of the cast, he enjoyed the win when “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” took home the SAG Award for Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture as well as a Broadcast Film Critic’s Association Award for Best Cast and the National Board Review’s award for Best Cast.
A talented actor, Hugo Weaving’s ability to reflect so many undertones in his voice can hold an audience’s attention. His actions and physical presence simply add to his gifts. There may be roles that Weaving is not going to get because of his age or his appearance but there are few that he could not handle as an actor. His skills are many and his critics few.
Top Ten Movies of Hugo Weaving:
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- The Matrix
- Transformers
- Happy Feet
- The Matrix Reloaded
- The Matrix Revolutions
- V for Vendetta
- Babe
