Hugo Weaving

Hugo Wallace Weaving AO (born 4 April 1960) is a British actor who gained prominence with his appearances in the Australian films Proof (1991) and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994). His international recognition is largely attributed to roles in mainstream American productions such as Agent Smith in The Matrix films (1999–2003), Elrond in The Lord of the Rings (2001–2003) and The Hobbit (2012–2014) trilogies, and Johann Schmidt / Red Skull in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). He has also lent his voice in several films including Babe (1995), Happy Feet (2006) and Transformers series as Megatron (2007–2011).

Born in Colonial Nigeria to British parents, Weaving has been residing in Australia for the majority of his career. In addition to his illustrious film career, Weaving has been actively participating in theatre productions consistently. From portraying a heroin-addicted ex-rugby league player to taking up the titular role in Macbeth, his contribution to Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art is notable. Over his career span, he has been honored with numerous awards including Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA), and an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia.