A photograph of Michael Fassbender attending the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Fassbender at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival

Michael Fassbender is a German-Irish actor who made his screen debut in the 2001 war drama miniseries Band of Brothers as Burton Christenson.[1] Fassbender followed this with a number of television roles including a German motorcycle courier in the drama Hearts and Bones (2001),[2] Guy Fawkes in the miniseries Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004), Lt. Harry Colebourn in the film A Bear Named Winnie (2004), and Azazeal in the series Hex (2004–05). He made his film debut playing a Spartan soldier in Zack Snyder's 300 (2007).[3][4]

In 2008, Fassbender portrayed Irish republican Bobby Sands during the events of the 1981 Irish hunger strike in Steve McQueen's historical drama Hunger.[5] His performance garnered him the Best Actor award at the British Independent Film Awards, and the Irish Film and Television Awards.[6][7]

Fassbender appeared as a British soldier in Quentin Tarantino-directed film Inglourious Basterds (2009). In 2011, he played Carl Jung in David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method, and a man suffering with sex addiction in McQueen's Shame.[8] His performance in the latter earned him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.[8] In the same year he appeared in superhero film X-Men: First Class as young Magneto. In 2013, Fassbender reteamed with McQueen on the period drama 12 Years a Slave. For his role as a slave owner in the film he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.[9]

In 2014, he reprised his role as Magneto in the superhero sequel X-Men: Days of Future Past which grossed a box-office total of over $747 million—his highest grossing release as of September 2019.[10] In 2015, he appeared as the title character in Justin Kurzel's film adaptation of the play Macbeth. In the same year, Fassbender's portrayal of Steve Jobs in Danny Boyle's eponymous film garnered him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.[11]

Film

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role(s) Notes Ref(s)
2007 300 Stelios [12]
Angel Esmé [13]
2008 Hunger Bobby Sands [14]
Eden Lake Steve [15]
2009 Blood Creek Richard Wirth [16]
Fish Tank Connor [17]
Inglourious Basterds Lt. Archie Hicox [18]
Man on a Motorcycle Man on a Motorcycle Short film [19]
2010 Centurion Quintus Dias [20]
Jonah Hex Burke [21]
2011 Jane Eyre Edward Fairfax Rochester [22]
X-Men: First Class Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto[a] [23]
A Dangerous Method Carl Jung [24]
Shame Brandon Sullivan [25]
Pitch Black Heist Michael Short film; also executive producer [26][27]
Haywire Paul [28]
2012 Prometheus David8 [29]
2013 12 Years a Slave Edwin Epps [30]
The Counselor Counselor [31]
1 Narrator Documentary [32]
2014 Frank Frank [33]
X-Men: Days of Future Past Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto[a] [34]
2015 Slow West Silas Selleck Also executive producer [35]
Macbeth Macbeth [36]
Steve Jobs Steve Jobs [37]
2016 X-Men: Apocalypse Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto[a] [38]
The Light Between Oceans Tom Sherbourne [39]
Trespass Against Us Chad Cutler [40][41]
Assassin's Creed Callum Lynch / Aguilar de Nerha[b] Producer [42][43][44]
2017 Song to Song Cook [45]
Alien: Covenant David8 / Walter One[b] [46]
The Snowman Harry Hole [47]
2019 X-Men: Dark Phoenix Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto[a] [48]
2023 The Killer The Killer [49]
Next Goal Wins Thomas Rongen [50]
2024 Kneecap † Arlo Ó Cairealláin Post-production [51]
TBA Kung Fury 2 † Colt Magnum Post-production [52]

Television

Year(s) Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2001 Band of Brothers Burton Christenson [1]
Hearts and Bones Hermann 3 episodes [2][53]
2002 NCS: Manhunt Jack Silver [2]
Holby City Christian Connolly Episode: "Ghosts" [2]
2003 Carla Rob Television film [2]
2004 Gunpowder, Treason & Plot Guy Fawkes Television film [54]
Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder Charles Bravo Television film [55]
A Bear Named Winnie Lt. Harry Colebourn Television film [56][57]
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking Charles Allen Television film [58]
2004–2005 Hex Azazeal [59]
2005 Murphy's Law Caz Miller 5 episodes [60]
Our Hidden Lives German POW Television film [61]
William and Mary Lukasz Episode #3.3 [62]
2006 Agatha Christie's Poirot George Abernethie Episode: "After the Funeral" [61]
Trial & Retribution Douglas Nesbitt 2 episodes [63]
2007 Wedding Belles Barney Television film [64][65]
2008 The Devil's Whore Thomas Rainsborough [66]
2019–present Michael Fassbender: Road to Le Mans Self Documentary series [67]

Video games

Year Title Role Ref.
2010 Fable III Logan (voice) [68]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Fassbender plays a character known by two different names in this film
  2. ^ a b Fassbender plays two different characters in this film

References

  1. ^ a b "'Band of Brothers' 2001". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Maloney 2012, p. 26.
  3. ^ "Michael Fassbender to Receive International Star Award". Palm Springs International Film Festival. 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  4. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 39.
  5. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (31 October 2008). "Hunger". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  6. ^ "Hunger". British Independent Film Awards. 11 October 2008. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  7. ^ "Winners 2009". Irish Film and Television Awards. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  8. ^ a b Solomons, Jason (10 September 2011). "Venice film festival: sex addict role wins best actor for Michael Fassbender". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  9. ^ "Oscar nominations 2014: full list of nominees". The Daily Telegraph. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  10. ^ "Michael Fassbender Movie Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Michael Fassbender 'baffled' by Aaron Sorkin Oscar snub for Steve Jobs". Entertainment Weekly. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  12. ^ McCarthy, Todd (9 March 2007). "Review: '300'". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  13. ^ Elley, Derek (20 February 2007). "Review: 'Angel'". Variety. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  14. ^ Garratt, Sheryl (18 October 2008). "Michael Fassbender on playing Bobby Sands in Hunger". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  15. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (12 September 2008). "Eden Lake". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  16. ^ Jones, Alan. "Blood Creek". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  17. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (10 September 2009). "Fish Tank". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  18. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (19 August 2009). "Inglourious Basterds". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  19. ^ "Man on a Motorcycle (2009)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  20. ^ von Tunzelmann, Alex (19 April 2012). "Centurion has a familiar ring about it, but it's not because it sticks to the facts". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  21. ^ Ebert, Roger (16 June 2010). "Jonah Hex Movie Review & Film Summary". rogerebert.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  22. ^ French, Philip (11 September 2011). "Jane Eyre – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  23. ^ Ebert, Roger (2 June 2011). "X-Men: First Class Movie Review (2011)". rogerebert.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  24. ^ Brooks, Xan (2 September 2011). "A Dangerous Method – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  25. ^ McCarthy, Todd (4 September 2011). "Shame: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  26. ^ "First Class Talent" (PDF). Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival. 26 September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  27. ^ "Pitch Black Heist". Tribeca Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2016-05-08. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  28. ^ Corliss, Richard (19 January 2012). "Soderbergh's Haywire: Good Workout, Not So Good Movie". Time. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  29. ^ Collin, Robbie (31 May 2012). "Prometheus, review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  30. ^ Corliss, Richard (18 October 2013). "12 Years a Slave: An Unflinching Take on the Great American Shame". Time. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  31. ^ Dargis, Manohla (24 October 2013). "Wildlife Is Tame; Not the Humans". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  32. ^ Kermode, Mark (12 January 2014). "1 – Life on the Limit – review". The Observer. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  33. ^ Kermode, Mark (11 May 2014). "Frank review – a weird, wonderful movie that dances to a different beat". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  34. ^ Collin, Robbie (22 May 2014). "X-Men: Days of Future Past, review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  35. ^ Chang, Justin (13 February 2015). "Film Review: 'Slow West'". Variety. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  36. ^ Collin, Robbie (1 October 2015). "Macbeth review: 'Fassbender was born for this'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  37. ^ Lee, Benjamin (6 September 2015). "Steve Jobs review: Fassbender excels but iWorship required if you're to care". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  38. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (9 May 2016). "X-Men: Apocalypse review – lots of bangs for your bucks but loopiness is lost". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  39. ^ "The Light Between Oceans". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  40. ^ Barraclough, Lee (16 May 2014). "Cannes: Lionsgate Acquires U.K. Rights to Michael Fassbender Film 'Trespass Against Us'". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  41. ^ "Trespass Against Us". Film4. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  42. ^ Alexander, Bryan (15 April 2016). "CinemaCon: Michael Fassbender shows off 'Assassin's Creed'". USA Today. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  43. ^ Bartleet, Larry (29 December 2015). "First official images of Michael Fassbender in Assassin's Creed film adaptation released". NME. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  44. ^ Child, Ben (28 December 2015). "Assassin's Creed star Michael Fassbender had 'never played the game'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  45. ^ Debruge, Peter (10 March 2017). "SXSW Film Review: 'Song to Song'". Variety. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  46. ^ Bonner, Hannah (1 March 2017). "Alien: Covenant — Michael Fassbender on Playing Two Roles, David & Shaw's Relationship 10 Years Later". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  47. ^ Robey, Tim (12 October 2017). "The Snowman review: Michael Fassbender's Scandi-noir nightmare is abominable". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  48. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (14 June 2017). "Fox Formalizes Simon Kinberg To Helm X-Men: Dark Phoenix; Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy Back, Jessica Chastain In Talks". Deadline.com. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  49. ^ Kit, Borys (24 February 2021). "David Fincher, Michael Fassbender to Team for Assassin Drama 'The Killer'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  50. ^ Kroll, Justin (13 September 2019). "Michael Fassbender to Star in Taika Waititi's 'Next Goal Wins'". Variety. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  51. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Yossman, KJ (October 27, 2023). "Michael Fassbender to Star in Biopic About Irish Rap Group Kneecap (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  52. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (14 May 2018). "'Hacksaw Ridge' Backer Argent Pictures Joins Michael Fassbender Action-Comedy 'Kung Fury 2' Ahead Of September Shoot". Deadline.com. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  53. ^ "On the Cover: Michael Fassbender". GQ. 15 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  54. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 28.
  55. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 29.
  56. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 30.
  57. ^ A bear named Winnie. WorldCat. OCLC 865232108.
  58. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 31.
  59. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 34.
  60. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 35.
  61. ^ a b Maloney 2012, p. 36.
  62. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 33.
  63. ^ Maloney 2012, p. 38.
  64. ^ Addley, Esther (31 October 2008). "A great right hook of a role". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  65. ^ "Wedding Belles". Channel 4. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  66. ^ Bennett, Ronan (14 November 2008). "Remember the revolution?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  67. ^ "Michael Fassbender: Road to Le Mans – Episode 1 Hockenheimring". Porsche (YouTube). 11 October 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  68. ^ Alderman, Naomi (29 October 2010). "Fable 3's star cast shine in game's latest instalment". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.

Bibliography

External links

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