10 Lesser-Known Facts About Peter Dinklage

Best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Peter Dinklage has earned three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Despite his success, the 50-year-old actor, who identifies as a “dwarf,” remains a private individual who seldom grants interviews. Beyond Game of Thrones, his most notable performance might be as the irritable children’s book author Miles Finch in the beloved holiday film Elf, starring alongside Will Ferrell. With the enduring popularity of Game of Thrones, audiences can expect to see more of Dinklage in both television and film.

To mark Peter Dinklage’s 50th birthday, here are 10 intriguing facts about the acclaimed actor that you might not know.

10. He Has a Common Type of Dwarfism

Peter Dinklage has Achondroplasia, a common form of Dwarfism. This condition results in typically proportioned heads and torsos but shorter arms and legs due to insufficient growth of long bones. Affecting approximately one in 40,000 individuals, Achondroplasia contributes to Dinklage’s height of four feet, five inches. His parents, siblings, wife, and daughter are of average height and do not have Dwarfism. Dinklage is an advocate for people with short stature and frequently addresses Dwarfism in his award acceptance speeches.

http://thecelebrityauction.co/wp2/cwitter-article/did-peter-dinklage-spit-his-gum-into-his-wifes-mouth-at-the-emmys/ Via thecelebrityauction.co

9. He’s a Dedicated Vegetarian

Peter Dinklage is a staunch vegetarian who avoids all meat products. Any meat seen in his on-screen roles is typically a tofu substitute. A passionate animal rights advocate, he adopted a vegetarian lifestyle to avoid harming animals. In interviews, he has stated, “I love animals—all animals. I wouldn’t harm a cat, dog, chicken, or cow, nor would I ask someone else to do so for me. That’s why I choose to be vegetarian.” Dinklage owns a dog named Kevin, often seen accompanying him on walks in Manhattan. He has also shared heartfelt memories of his childhood dog, Zoe, whose passing deeply affected him. Dinklage supports Farm Sanctuary, has been a spokesperson for their “Walk for Farm Animals” event, and narrated the ethical vegetarian advocacy film “Face Your Food.”

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/photos/peter-dinklage-takes-dog-kevin-walk-31364034 Via abcnews.go.com

8. His Debut Role Was in "The Velveteen Rabbit"

Peter Dinklage’s acting journey began in fifth grade when he played the lead role in a school production of the timeless tale “The Velveteen Rabbit,” which tells the story of a stuffed rabbit yearning to become real through the affection of its owner. His portrayal of the rabbit captivated the audience, earning him multiple standing ovations and sparking his passion for acting. “Receiving your first solo bow is an incredible feeling,” he shared with People magazine. Despite facing skepticism due to his Dwarfism and being told he was too short for a professional acting career, Dinklage remained determined to pursue his dream.

http://books.simonandschuster.ca/The-Velveteen-Rabbit/Margery-Williams/The-Classic-Edition/9781604334616 Via books.simonandschuster.ca

7. His Brother Jonathan is a Skilled Violinist

Jonathan Dinklage, Peter Dinklage’s brother, is a professional violinist who has contributed to the soundtracks of films like Beasts of the Southern Wild, Trumbo, and The Visitor. He also performed as part of the string ensemble on Rush’s album Clockwork Angels and toured with the iconic Canadian band.

Jonathan Dinklage has lent his violin skills to albums by renowned artists such as Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Amy Winehouse, and even Clay Aiken. Peter Dinklage once remarked about his brother, “My brother, the violinist, was the true performer in our family. His dedication to the violin is what steered him away from acting.”

http://www.yatedo.fr/p/Jonathan+Dinklage/famous/628b2f04288a8c45f735ee70e46ce657 Via yatedo.fr

6. He’s an Accomplished Stage Actor

Based in New York City, Peter Dinklage maintains a thriving career as a celebrated stage actor. He has graced both Broadway and off-Broadway stages in productions ranging from original works like “The Killing Act” and “Imperfect Love” to timeless classics such as Shakespeare’s “Richard III” and Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.” He has even shared the stage with Meryl Streep. Married to theater director Erica Schmidt, Dinklage frequently collaborates with her on projects when not filming for Game of Thrones or other movies. His passion for theater, he says, is what initially drew him to acting.

http://nypost.com/2015/01/29/schilling-dinklage-cant-save-shaky-off-broadway-play/ Via NYPost

5. He Found The Game of Thrones Books "Confusing"

Game of Thrones has undoubtedly provided Peter Dinklage with his most iconic and high-profile role to date. The HBO series is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s immensely popular Game of Thrones book series. Despite his success on the show, Dinklage admitted to David Letterman that he finds the books “confusing” and has struggled to finish them. “My character might get killed off for saying that,” he joked. Interestingly, George R.R. Martin has stated that Dinklage was his top choice for Tyrion Lannister and couldn’t envision anyone else in the role.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/27/peter-dinklage-game-of-thrones_n_5042002.html Via HuffingtonPost

4. He’s a Huge Batman Enthusiast

Although Peter Dinklage admits he didn’t read many comic books growing up, he has a particular fondness for Batman. He appreciates that Batman lacks superpowers, describing him as “just a person” with a “pretty dark” persona. Dinklage has also expressed admiration for Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, calling it the “best superhero movies ever.” He has even mentioned his interest in joining a future Batman project, especially if a villainous role is available.

“Villains are complex and intriguing to portray. You have more freedom because you’re not bound by a heroic code,” Peter Dinklage remarked in an interview promoting the summer release of Pixels. He previously played the morally ambiguous scientist Bolivar Trask in X-Men: Days of Future Past, showcasing his versatility in portraying nuanced characters.

http://1080.plus/Batman_Arkham_Knight-Scarecrow’s_Revenge_on_Gotham-IGN_Rewind_Theater_by_IGN/aeIaZ6S1-fI.video Via 1080.plus

3. He Calls Himself a "Hermit"

Outside of acting, Peter Dinklage leads a notably quiet and reclusive life, often referring to himself as a hermit. “I’m a private person. My evenings are spent reading, sipping tea, and walking my dog. That’s the extent of my excitement,” he has shared. Dinklage avoids socializing and describes the actor’s life as inherently lonely. Paparazzi rarely capture him in Hollywood settings; instead, he’s often photographed during low-key activities like walking his dog or spending time with his daughter at the park. Dinklage’s focus remains on his craft rather than the trappings of celebrity.

http://wander-magazine.com/fun-and-free-things-to-do-outside-comic-con/ Via wander-magazine.com

2. He Was Acquainted with Bruce Springsteen

Growing up in suburban New Jersey, Peter Dinklage’s family lived near Bruce Springsteen’s manager at the time. In an interview with Playboy, Dinklage recalled seeing Springsteen frequently during his childhood, even mentioning that the Boss visited his home on several occasions. “Bruce would come over, hang out, and play guitar,” Dinklage shared.

“I was very young, so my memories are hazy. My parents attended a wedding at a surfboard factory where Bruce, then about 17, played in the wedding band. My mom thought he was too loud and wasn’t particularly impressed,” Dinklage recounted. This amusing anecdote adds a charming layer to his childhood memories and might have even influenced his brother Jonathan’s decision to pursue a career in music.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bootleg-of-the-week-bruce-springsteen-live-in-new-york-7-13-74-20151222 Via RollingStone

1. His Voice Appeared on Seinfeld

Long before becoming a household name, Peter Dinklage lent his voice to the iconic TV series Seinfeld. In the 1995 episode “The Wink,” Dinklage played the “Wake Up Guy,” a character who calls Elaine every morning at 7:15 a.m. to wake her up, often veering into personal and awkward conversations. Though the character is never seen on screen, his voice left a lasting impression. This role marked one of Dinklage’s earliest professional acting jobs, and fans of Seinfeld enjoy revisiting the episode now that they recognize the voice behind the character.