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Hugo Weaving: Biography, Epilepsy, Partner, Height & Net Worth

James Jack Brown White • 2026-08-01 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

There aren’t many actors who can disappear into a role so completely that audiences forget the face behind the character — yet still recognize that voice instantly. Hugo Weaving has built a decades-long career doing exactly that, bringing iconic characters like Agent Smith, Elrond, and V to life.

Born: 4 April 1960 ·
Nationality: English-Australian ·
Known for: Agent Smith (The Matrix), Elrond (The Lord of the Rings), V (V for Vendetta) ·
Awards: Six AACTA Awards, two AFI Awards ·
Children: 2 ·
Partner: Katrina Greenwood (since 1984)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth ($10 million is an estimate, not a verified figure) (see section)
  • Whether he will reprise any iconic roles in future franchise projects (see FAQ)
  • Specific daily medication regimen for epilepsy — not disclosed publicly (see section)
  • Whether Hugo Weaving and Katrina Greenwood are officially married — sources vary, with some using the term loosely (see section)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues stage work with the Sydney Theatre Company (Apple TV)
  • Potential future roles in streaming series (recent: Slow Horses) (IMDb)
  • Ongoing advocacy and openness about living with epilepsy (see section) (Apple TV)

Eight key biographical data points, one pattern: a career that spans continents and genres, anchored by a private life that remains remarkably stable.

Label Value
Full Name Hugo Wallace Weaving
Date of Birth 4 April 1960
Place of Birth Ibadan, Nigeria
Nationality British-Australian
Occupation Actor
Years Active 1981–present
Partner Katrina Greenwood (1984–present)
Children 2

What disability does Hugo Weaving have?

Hugo Weaving has openly acknowledged that he lives with epilepsy, a neurological condition he was diagnosed with as a teenager. According to Bionity, the diagnosis came when he was 13 years old. In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, Weaving confirmed the condition, explaining that medication effectively controls his seizures.

Did Hugo Weaving have epilepsy?

  • Yes — he was diagnosed at age 13 (Bionity)
  • He has spoken publicly about it, most notably in a 2018 Guardian interview
  • Medication keeps his seizures under control, allowing him to maintain a demanding acting career

How does epilepsy affect an actor?

For Weaving, epilepsy hasn’t been a career barrier — it’s been a quiet companion. In the same Guardian interview, he described the condition as something he simply manages. The implication: his ability to portray intense, often menacing characters on screen hasn’t been diminished by the condition. If anything, the discipline required to manage a chronic neurological condition may have contributed to the focused intensity he brings to roles like Agent Smith.

Why this matters

Weaving’s openness about epilepsy challenges the stereotype that chronic health conditions limit creative careers. His case shows that with proper medical management, epilepsy need not be a professional ceiling — even in physically and emotionally demanding fields like acting.

The pattern: managing a chronic condition need not limit creative ambition.

Who is Hugo Weaving’s partner?

Hugo Weaving has been in a relationship with Katrina Greenwood since 1984. Multiple biographical sources, including Famous Birthdays, note the relationship began in that year. The couple have reportedly never formalized their commitment with a legal marriage, instead choosing a long-term partnership.

Does Hugo Weaving have a wife?

No — Weaving is not married in the legal sense. His partner is Katrina Greenwood, and they have lived together in Australia for decades. Some sources, like Famous Birthdays, use the term “married” loosely, but the actor himself has referred to Greenwood as his partner.

How long have Hugo Weaving and Katrina Greenwood been together?

  • Since 1984 — over 40 years as of 2025
  • They reside in Australia, where Weaving based his career after NIDA
  • The relationship predates his major film breakthroughs by 15 years

The pattern: a remarkably stable personal life in an industry known for volatility. Weaving’s 40-year partnership with Greenwood provides the bedrock that allowed him to pursue the globe-trotting demands of franchise filmmaking.

What is Hugo Weaving best known for?

Weaving’s filmography is a masterclass in genre-spanning versatility. According to All American Speakers, he is best known for playing Agent Smith in The Matrix trilogy and Elrond in The Lord of the Rings trilogy — two roles that alone would cement most actors’ legacies.

Is Hugo Weaving Agent Smith?

  • Yes — he portrayed the iconic antagonist in The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
  • His portrayal is considered one of cinema’s most memorable villains
  • Voiced the role in the video game The Matrix: Path of Neo

Did Hugo Weaving play Elrond?

  • Yes — he played Elrond the half-elven in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003) and The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014)
  • Worked under director Peter Jackson for all six films
  • The role required extensive prosthetics and a regal bearing entirely different from Agent Smith

What other roles define his career?

Beyond those two franchise pillars, Weaving has delivered distinctive performances in:

  • V for Vendetta (2005) — played the title character V, wearing a mask for the entire film
  • Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) — a breakout Australian film role
  • Megatron in Transformers (2007) — voice role that introduced him to a new generation
  • Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) — though his scenes were cut from the final film
The trade-off

Weaving’s ability to be unrecognizable in roles — through prosthetics, masks, and voice modulation — has made him a chameleon actor. But it also means he’s less immediately recognizable than his co-stars, a trade-off that may have cost him the “movie star” label even as it earned him critical respect.

The implication: his artistic versatility comes at the cost of mass-market fame.

How many children does Hugo Weaving have?

According to Famous Birthdays, Weaving and Katrina Greenwood have two children: a son named Harry (born in 1989) and a daughter named Holly (born in 1993).

Does Hugo Weaving have a son?

Yes — Harry Weaving, born in 1989. He has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Does Hugo Weaving have a daughter?

Yes — Holly Weaving, born in 1993. Like her brother, she maintains a private life away from the entertainment industry.

The pattern: Weaving’s children have not followed him into acting, suggesting a deliberate separation between his public career and family life. This privacy boundary is consistent with his general reticence about personal matters outside of professional obligations.

What is Hugo Weaving’s height and net worth?

Biographical sources consistently list Hugo Weaving’s height as 1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches). IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes both confirm this measurement.

His net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million, accumulated through decades of film, television, and voice acting. It’s important to note that this figure is an industry estimate — Weaving has not publicly disclosed his finances.

How tall is Hugo Weaving?

  • Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) (IMDb)
  • His height has been a physical asset for commanding roles like Elrond and Agent Smith

What is Hugo Weaving’s net worth?

  • Estimated net worth: $10 million (unverified industry estimate)
  • Sources of income: Blockbuster film salaries, voice acting residuals, stage performances
  • The figure places him well below co-stars like Keanu Reeves or Ian McKellen, reflecting a career built on character work rather than leading-man billing

The catch: net worth estimates for actors who aren’t celebrity-brand moguls are notoriously unreliable. What’s clear is that Weaving has worked steadily for over four decades across theater, film, and voice work — a sign of professional sustainability rather than speculative wealth.

Timeline: Hugo Weaving’s life and career

The following timeline highlights key milestones in Weaving’s life and career.

Year Event
1960 Born in Ibadan, Nigeria (Rotten Tomatoes)
1970s Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 13 (Bionity)
1976 Family moves to Australia (Tribute.ca)
1981 Graduates from National Institute of Dramatic Art (Tribute.ca)
1984 Begins relationship with Katrina Greenwood (Famous Birthdays)
1994 Breakout role in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
1999 The Matrix released — Agent Smith solidifies global recognition (All American Speakers)
2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring released — Elrond (All American Speakers)
2005 V for Vendetta released — plays V
2007 Voices Megatron in Transformers
2018 Gives in-depth interview about epilepsy to The Guardian

The timeline demonstrates a career built on both critical and commercial successes.

“I have epilepsy. It’s something I’ve had since I was a teenager. I take medication for it. It’s not a big secret.”

— Hugo Weaving, in a 2018 interview with The Guardian

Hugo Weaving and Katrina Greenwood have been together since 1984, raising two children away from the public eye.

The Sydney Morning Herald

For fans wondering about the man behind the mask, the pattern is clear: Hugo Weaving is not defined by his most famous characters, but by the resilience of a career built on craft over celebrity, and a personal life anchored by a single enduring partnership. The lesson for aspiring actors managing chronic health conditions is equally clear: epilepsy doesn’t have to be a career sentence — with proper management, it can be a footnote in an otherwise stellar biography.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Hugo Weaving?

Born 4 April 1960, he is 64 years old as of 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes).

Is Hugo Weaving in The Matrix 4?

He did not reprise the role of Agent Smith in The Matrix Resurrections (2021). The character was portrayed by a different actor.

Has Hugo Weaving worked with Peter Jackson?

Yes — he played Elrond in all six of Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth films: The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy.

What awards has Hugo Weaving won?

He has won six AACTA Awards and two AFI Awards for his work in Australian cinema.

Is Hugo Weaving retired?

No. He continues to act in film and television, with recent roles in Slow Horses and ongoing stage work with the Sydney Theatre Company.



James Jack Brown White

About the author

James Jack Brown White

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