Active since the late 1990s, Peter Dinklage has had a long and storied career. Due to the prejudice towards his dwarfism, Dinklage struggled to get cast in his early days, but his perseverance led to some of the most memorable film and television performances in recent memory.
Working alongside some of the best, Dinklage has built an incredible body of work since his breakthrough in the early 2000s. From portraying wise, nihilistic characters to supplying comedic relief, these are Peter Dinklage's best roles.
My Dinner With Hervé (2018) - 83%
Based on the last days of actor Hervé Villechaize, who was a star in The Man With The Golden Gun and Fantasy Island, My Dinner With Hervé depicts the events surrounding his final interview.
Co-starring Jamie Dornan as journalist Danny Tate, the rest of the cast includes Andy Garcia, Mireille Enos, and David Strathairn. My Dinner With Hervé received generally positive reviews and was nominated for Best Television Movie at the Emmys.
Cyrano (2021) - 85%
Based on the stage musical that also starred Dinklage, Cyrano revolves around a love triangle between a beautiful orphan, a soldier, and the orphan's childhood friend. When the orphan reveals her feelings for the soldier, her friend begins writing her love letters under the soldier's name.
The film was a regular on the awards circuit, notably netting Dinklage a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Outside of Dinklage, the film stars Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Ben Mendelsohn.
Elf (2003) - 85%
One of the best holiday movies set in New York, the Jon Favreau-directed Elf follows Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, a human who has been raised as one of Santa's helpers, after he crawled into Santa's sack as a baby. In search of his birth father, Buddy goes on a handful of Christmas-themed adventures during his journey.
Dinklage has a small but memorable role in the film as Miles Finch, a children's author whom Buddy thinks is a fellow elf. A modern Christmas classic, Elf also stars James Caan as Buddy's father, Zooey Deschanel as Buddy's love interest, and Edward Asner as Santa Claus.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - 85%
Considered one of the best MCU movies, Avengers: Infinity War finds the team attempting to stop Thanos from collecting all six Infinity Stones and destroying half of all life in the universe. Dinklage plays Eitri, the lone survivor of the dwarves who created both the Infinity Gauntlet for Thanos as well as Stormbreaker for Thor.
While the role is small, Eitri's actions are integral to the plot of the film. In addition to its critical success, Infinity War is also the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time. The expansive cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Scarlett Johansson, to name a few.
Living In Oblivion (1995) - 88%
A tribute to independent filmmakers, Living In Oblivion captures the day in the life on the set of a non-budget movie. In his feature film debut, Dinklage plays Tito, a moody actor who is frustrated at the clichéd use of his dwarfism in the film's dream sequence and walks off of the set.
Though his performance was well-received, it would be almost another decade before Dinklage had his first big breakthrough. The film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance Film Festival and co-starred the likes of Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, and Steve Buscemi in one of his best roles.
Game Of Thrones (2011 - 2019) - 89%
Set in the fictional land of Westeros, Game Of Thrones tracks several detailed plotlines that tie into the question of who will take control of the Iron Throne and rule over the Seven Kingdoms. Dinklage plays Tyrion Lannister, the underestimated, unwanted dwarf son of House Lannister whose political knowledge is only matched by his boozing.
Over the course of eight seasons, it becomes clear that Tyrion is one of the show's most complex and fleshed-out characters, even when the quality of the series started to waver. Other memorable actors on Game Of Thrones include Sean Bean, Alfie Allen, Lena Headey, Jack Gleeson, and Emilia Clarke, amongst others.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014) - 90%
Taking place in the future and the past like its title suggests, X-Men: Days Of Future Past finds the group in a timeline where in the future they're being hunted down by Sentinels. In order to survive, they must send Wolverine back in time to 1973 to stop the events that would lead to their doom.
Handpicked for the role by director Bryan Singer, Dinklage plays Dr. Bolivar Trask, the creator of the Sentinels whom Wolverine must stop the assassination of. The film's cast includes franchise regulars Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Halle Berry.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) - 91%
Featuring one of the best movie performances of the 2010s from Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, tells the story of Mildred Hayes, a woman who rents three roadside billboards to draw attention to the unsolved case of her daughter's rape and murder.
In a supporting part, Dinklage plays James, Mildred's acquaintance who provides her with an alibi and with whom she eventually goes on a date. Aside from McDormand and Dinklage, Three Billboards features performances from Woody Harrelson, Caleb Landry Jones, and Sam Rockwell, who won an Oscar for his role.
Lassie (2005) - 93%
Based on the beloved children's story, Lassie is about a family in financial crisis who is forced to sell their beloved dog, the titular canine. However, Lassie escapes and embarks on the 500-mile journey back to her true home.
On her expedition, Lassie runs into Dinklage's character Rowley, a kindly circus performer who takes her in for part of her journey. Though the film wasn't a box office success, it was received warmly by critics. The film also features one of the final roles of the legendary screen and stage actor, Peter O'Toole.
The Station Agent (2003) - 94%
The Station Agent focuses on the life of Finbar McBride, played by Dinklage, a nihilist who has a deep love of railroads and keeps to himself. When his only friend dies, they bequeath Fin a piece of rural land that he begins to enjoy, only for his neighbors to reluctantly draw him into new friendships.
The film was made for a budget of only $500,000 but ended up grossing more than $8 million worldwide, as per Box Office Mojo. The film won multiple awards for its screenplay and co-starred Bobby Cannavale, Patricia Clarkson, and Michelle Williams.