Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender was born April 2, 1977 in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2007, he caught the public's eye in the film "300" and also appeared in "Angel." In 2008, he played Bobby Sands in "Hunger." He starred in "Inglorious Basterds" in 2009 and "Centurion" in 2010. He held starring roles in 2011's "Dangerous Method," "Shame," "X-men: First Class" and 2012's "Prometheus." In 2013, Fassbender appeared in "12 Years a Slave."

Fassbender started acting at the age of 16, when his former teacher, Donie Courtney, offered him roles with Courtney’s theater troupe, Bricriu. When Fassbender was 17, he was hired to produce, direct and act in a stage adaptation of Quentin Tarantino's movie "Reservoir Dogs." Fassbender continued to act on stage through 2006, when he co-starred with Mel Smith in the play "Allegiance."

That same year, Fassbender made his breakthrough film performance as the warrior Spartan Stelios in Frank Miller's "300," which was released in 2007 to commercial success. The film "Angel," in which Fassbender played a painter named Esmé, was also released in 2007. Fassbender's role in the 2008 Steve McQueen film "Hunger" required Fassbender to lose a staggering 31 pounds.

Fassbender’s critical acclaim landed him a romantic role in Andrea Arnold's "Fish Tank." His success at Cannes also reminded director Quentin Tarantino of the young actor's talent. Tarantino personally invited Fassbender to play Lieutenant Archie Hicox in the 2009 war film "Inglorious Basterds."

Fassbender appeared in the X-Men franchise in the 2011 film and the 2014 action epic.

Regarding the broad diversity of his acting roles, Fassbender has explained, "I don't want to stay in my comfort zone. I want to take risks and keep myself scared.”