Biography
Who is Noomi Rapace?
Early life and beginnings in film
Noomi Rapace was born in Hudiksvall, Sweden, on December 28, 1979. Her mother is Swedish actress Kristina Nina Norén, and her father was Rogelio Durán, a Spanish flamenco singer. When she was five years old, she moved with her mother and stepfather, Hrafnkell Karlsson, to Flúðir in Iceland. She spent her childhood in Iceland before returning to Sweden later in her youth.
Her introduction to the film industry happened at a young age. At seven, she appeared in a non-speaking role in the Icelandic film In the Shadow of the Raven. This experience influenced her decision to pursue acting. She left home at age 15 to enroll in a Stockholm theatre school. She later studied at the Skara School Scene and performed with several theatre groups in Stockholm, including the Royal Dramatic Theatre.
The Millennium trilogy and Swedish success
In 2007, the actress received critical praise for her role as a troubled teen mother in the Danish film Daisy Diamond. For this performance, she won the Bodil Award and the Robert Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. This success helped prepare her for the part that would bring her international attention shortly after.
In 2009, she was cast as Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish film adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. This role was part of a trilogy based on novels by Stieg Larsson, which also included The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest. Her performance earned her a Guldbagge Award and a Satellite Award. The films were successful worldwide and were later recut into a miniseries for television.
International acting career
Following the success of the Millennium series, Noomi Rapace began working in international cinema. Her first English-speaking role was as Madame Simza Heron in the 2011 film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. She soon secured a leading role in Ridley Scott's 2012 science fiction film Prometheus, playing the scientist Elizabeth Shaw. She has since appeared in many diverse projects, including The Drop, Child 44, and the science fiction thriller What Happened to Monday, where she portrayed seven different characters.
Her filmography continued to expand with projects such as the Icelandic folk horror film Lamb, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. She also appeared in the television series Django and the 2024 series Constellation. In addition to her film work, she has been involved in music videos, including appearances for The Rolling Stones and Kasabian. She has also served as a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival.
Personal background and family
Noomi Rapace speaks several languages, including Swedish, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, and English. In 2001, she married Swedish actor Ola Rapace. The couple chose the surname Rapace together because it sounded distinct and meant bird of prey in French and Italian. They have one son, who was born in 2003. The couple filed for divorce in 2010. She currently resides in London, England.
Birthday and age
Noomi Rapace was born on December 28, 1979, which makes Noomi 46 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. Noomi shares the date with 59 other famous people.
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