Austrian Oscar winner Christoph Waltz turns 70

Austrian actor Christoph Waltz, a two-time Oscar winner known for his unpredictable screen presence, turns 70 on Sunday, October 4, 2026. He remains active in film, with recent roles in 2025's "Dracula" and a Frankenstein adaptation. Waltz achieved international stardom late, at age 52, with his Oscar-winning role as Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds," followed by a second Oscar for "Django Unchained." He trained at Vienna's Max Reinhardt Seminar and spent decades in TV series like "Derrick" before his breakthrough. Living in Los Angeles, Waltz is known for his understated demeanor and passion for historic architecture preservation. He has consistently favored supporting roles, which he says offer creative freedom, and continues to play morally ambiguous characters.