RATINGS: Cast & Crew

DOB: October 20, 1958

Background: Mortensen was born in New York City to an American mother and a Danish father. As a child, his family lspent time in Venezuela, Denmark, and Argentina. He graduated from St. Lawrence University with a bachelor's degree in government and Spanish.

Filmography: His first major film role was in the Peter Weir film "Witness" in 1985, but he didn't achieve mainstream success until the 1990s, when he appeared in "The Indian Runner" (1991), "Carlito's Way" (1993), "Crimson Tide" (1995), "The Portrait of a Lady" (1996), and "G.I. Jane" (1997). He played romantic leading roles in "A Walk on the Moon" and "28 Days" before achieving international fame with the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He achieved critical raves in "A History of Violence" and "Eastern Promises." Recently he appeared in "The Road" (2009), adapted from a Cormac McCarthy novel. This year he plays Sigmund Freud in "A Dangerous Method" and appears in "On the Road," adapted from the famous Jack Kerouac novel.

Academy Awards:

Best Actor Nomination
"Eastern Promises" (2007); lost to Daniel Day-Lewis ("There Will Be Blood")

Golden Globes:

Best Film Drama Actor Nomination
"Eastern Promises" (2008); lost to Daniel Day-Lewis ("There Will Be Blood")

Best Film Supporting Actor Nomination
"A Dangerous Method" (2012); lost to Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")

SAG Awards: Win - Best Film Ensemble ("Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," 2004)

Best Film Ensemble Nominations
"Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" (2003); lost to "Chicago"
"Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" (2002); lost to "Gosford Park"

Best Film Actor Nomination
"Eastern Promises" (2008); lost to Daniel Day-Lewis ("There Will Be Blood")