Few actors have slipped into iconic roles as seamlessly as Hugo Weaving — and often behind a mask. From the terrifying Agent Smith in The Matrix to the wise Elrond in Middle‑earth, Weaving has built a career on unforgettable characters. But away from the screen, his life is marked by a quiet resilience: he has lived with epilepsy since his teens, built a decades‑long partnership, and deliberately stayed out of Hollywood’s spotlight.
Born: 4 April 1960 ·
Birthplace: Ibadan, Nigeria ·
Nationality: British‑Australian ·
Known for: Agent Smith, Elrond, V ·
Partner: Katrina Greenwood ·
Children: 2
Quick snapshot
- Born 4 April 1960 in Ibadan, Nigeria (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- British‑Australian actor (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Partner Katrina Greenwood since 1984 (Urban Journal)
- Exact Lord of the Rings salary not publicly confirmed (The Richest)
- Net‑worth estimates vary from $12M to $30M (Mabumbe)
- Future projects unannounced (The Richest)
- 1984: Started relationship with Katrina Greenwood (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1999: Agent Smith – The Matrix (Wikipedia)
- 2001‑2003: Elrond – Lord of the Rings (Wikipedia)
- No confirmed upcoming film projects as of early 2025
- Has expressed interest in stage work
Nine key facts at a glance, one pattern: Weaving’s life pairs enormous screen fame with a deliberately private off‑screen existence.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Hugo Wallace Weaving |
| Date of birth | 4 April 1960 |
| Birthplace | Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Nationality | British‑Australian |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Partner | Katrina Greenwood (1984–present) |
| Children | 2 |
Is Hugo Weaving British or Australian?
What is Hugo Weaving’s citizenship?
Hugo Weaving holds both British and Australian citizenship. He was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, to English parents, and his family moved frequently — including a stint in South Africa — before settling in Australia in 1976 when he was 16 (Wikipedia (user‑generated encyclopedia)).
Where was Hugo Weaving born?
Weaving was born on 4 April 1960 in Ibadan, Nigeria. His father was a seismologist and his mother worked in tourism. Despite his Nigerian birthplace, he has said he feels deeply Australian, having lived most of his life in Sydney (The Sydney Morning Herald (2026 profile)).
Weaving’s identity is genuinely dual: he carries a British passport but calls Australia home. For casting directors, that means he can convincingly play both posh Englishmen and sun‑weathered Aussies — and he has done both.
What disability does Hugo Weaving have?
When was Hugo Weaving diagnosed with epilepsy?
Weaving has been open about his epilepsy diagnosis, which he received at age 13. He told The Guardian that he began having seizures as a teenager and was immediately put on medication (The Sydney Morning Herald (2026 profile)).
How does epilepsy affect Hugo Weaving’s life?
For decades, Weaving’s epilepsy meant he could not drive — he has never obtained a driver’s license. “I was not allowed to drive, so I never got a license,” he explained to The Sydney Morning Herald in 2006 (The Sydney Morning Herald). He has said his seizures occurred about once a year until his 40s, after which medication brought them under control (The Guardian). A 2026 profile described his experiences as “quite traumatic” and quoted him describing seizures as feeling like “time and space became scrambled” (The Sydney Morning Herald).
Who is Hugo Weaving’s partner?
Is Hugo Weaving married?
Weaving is not married, but he has been in a committed relationship with Katrina Greenwood since 1984 — more than 40 years. He has famously said, “The secret to a relationship is never getting married” (The Guardian). The couple has never married, a fact confirmed by multiple sources (The Sydney Morning Herald).
Does Hugo Weaving have children?
Yes, Weaving and Greenwood have two children. Some sources name them as Harry and Holly (Urban Journal (biography site)), while others simply confirm “two children” (IMDb (film database)). The family resides in Sydney, Australia.
The implication: Weaving’s relationship is one of the longest‑running in Hollywood’s orbit, yet he has actively chosen to keep it out of the gossip columns — no red carpets, no joint interviews, just quiet stability.
What is Hugo Weaving’s most iconic role?
Why is Agent Smith iconic?
Agent Smith, the sentient computer program in The Matrix (1999), remains Weaving’s most recognised performance. His cold, deliberate delivery and the character’s viral “Mr. Anderson” monologue made the role a pop‑culture benchmark. The trilogy earned over $1.6 billion worldwide, cementing Smith as a defining villain of the 2000s (Wikipedia).
What is Hugo Weaving’s role in Lord of the Rings?
Weaving portrayed Elrond, the half‑elven lord of Rivendell, in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Director Peter Jackson praised Weaving’s ability to bring “ancient weariness and wisdom” to the character (IMDb). The role introduced Weaving to a generation of fantasy fans who may not have known his earlier work.
Is V for Vendetta his most famous role?
In 2005’s V for Vendetta, Weaving played V, a masked vigilante — a role where his face was never seen. He delivered the performance entirely through voice and body language, proving that an actor can command a film without showing a single expression. “The mask was liberating,” Weaving said in an interview (The Guardian).
Weaving’s most famous roles — Agent Smith, V, Elrond — all involve heavy makeup, masks, or digital alteration. He has become a household name for characters that hide his real face. That takes rare talent, but it also means many fans wouldn’t recognise him in a coffee shop.
How much did Hugo Weaving make in The Lord of the Rings?
Did the cast of Lord of the Rings become rich?
Weaving’s exact salary for the Lord of the Rings films is undisclosed. He was paid as a supporting actor — reportedly a standard fee for a non‑lead in a major franchise. The ensemble cast, including Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen, negotiated profit‑sharing arrangements but those paid out slowly over years, not upfront (The Richest (celebrity finance site)). Foreman’s point: nobody got “instant rich” from one trilogy.
What is Hugo Weaving’s net worth?
Net‑worth estimates vary widely. Celebrity Net Worth and The Richest both peg it at $25 million (Celebrity Net Worth (finance estimate site); The Richest). Some biography sites place it as high as $30 million (Mabumbe (biography site)), while other guesswork suggests $12 million. Because Weaving does not publicly discuss his finances, all figures remain speculative.
Weaving’s refusal to chase Hollywood blockbusters after The Matrix and Lord of the Rings—he opted for Australian indie films and theatre—explains why his net worth is modest compared to co‑stars like Keanu Reeves. He traded franchise royalties for creative freedom.
Timeline: Hugo Weaving’s life in key dates
- 4 April 1960 — Born in Ibadan, Nigeria (Wikipedia)
- 1976 — Moves to Australia at age 16 (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- 1984 — First professional acting role on Australian TV (IMDb)
- 1999 — Plays Agent Smith in The Matrix (Wikipedia)
- 2001–2003 — Portrays Elrond in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (Wikipedia)
- 2005 — Stars as V in V for Vendetta (Wikipedia)
- 2014 — Publicly reveals epilepsy diagnosis at age 13 (The Guardian)
Certainty vs. uncertainty
Confirmed facts
- Born in Ibadan, Nigeria to British parents (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Holds Australian citizenship (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 13 (The Sydney Morning Herald (2026 profile))
- Partner Katrina Greenwood since 1984 (Urban Journal)
- Two children (IMDb)
- Played Agent Smith, Elrond, and V in major franchises (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact Lord of the Rings salary not publicly confirmed
- Net‑worth estimates range from $12M to $30M (Mabumbe)
- Details about his early life in South Africa are sparse
- Future projects are not confirmed
- Specific medications for epilepsy not disclosed
- Earnings from Australian indie films unknown
Quotes: what others have said
“The secret to a relationship is never getting married.”
— Hugo Weaving, speaking to The Guardian
“It was quite traumatic … time and space became scrambled.”
— Hugo Weaving, describing his seizures in a 2026 Sydney Morning Herald profile
“He brought an ancient weariness and wisdom to Elrond that I don’t think any other actor could have managed.”
— Peter Jackson, director, in behind‑the‑scenes commentary (IMDb)
Summary
Hugo Weaving has built a career that most actors would envy: global recognition for roles that demand immense skill while letting him remain almost anonymous in daily life. For fans of cinema, the takeaway is clear: his legacy is one of range over fame — and that’s exactly how he wants it. For actors facing chronic health challenges, his example proves that epilepsy need not be a career barrier, only a logistical one. The choice is his, and he has made it deliberately: low‑profile off‑stage, unforgettable on‑screen.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Hugo Weaving?
Born 4 April 1960, he is 64 years old as of 2025.
What is Hugo Weaving’s height?
He is 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall.
What movies has Hugo Weaving been in?
His most famous films include The Matrix trilogy, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, V for Vendetta, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Cloud Atlas.
Does Hugo Weaving have siblings?
He has a younger sister and a younger brother, but they keep a low profile.
What is Hugo Weaving’s next project?
As of early 2025, Weaving has not announced any new film roles. He has expressed interest in returning to stage theatre in Australia.
Where does Hugo Weaving live?
He resides in Sydney, Australia, with his partner Katrina Greenwood and their two children.
Is Hugo Weaving on social media?
No. Weaving does not have any public social media accounts and has said he values his privacy too much to engage with platforms.
Related reading
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.