Michael Fassbender is one of those actors who can just take on any role, completely transform himself, and make you forget you’re watching an actor. Whether he’s playing a mutant mastermind in X-Men, a tech visionary in Steve Jobs, or a fearless warrior in 300, he has proven time and again that he’s got serious acting chops.
But beyond the intense performances and award nominations, there’s a whole other side to Michael Fassbender that people might not know of. Well, take, for example, if you knew he once dreamed of being a rockstar. No, right? So buckle up, Fassbender fans, because we’re diving into some of the most surprising and little-known facts about this insanely talented star.
10. He’s half Irish, half German
Born on April 2, 1977, in Heidelberg, Germany, to a German father, Josef, and an Irish mother, Adele, Michael Fassbender embodies a rich blend of cultures. When he was two, his family relocated to Ireland, where he was raised. This unique heritage has turned him into a bilingual star in Hollywood.
Fassbender told The Times,
I suppose the German side wants to keep everything in control, and the Irish side wants to wreak havoc.
So, if you’ve watched the actor’s performances and have ever wondered about his sudden change in accent—now you know why. While his Irish/English speaking skills have helped him come a long way, Fassbender’s German skills don’t go unused. During his appearance in Inglourious Basterds, the actor only needed a few lessons to brush up his rusty verbal skills.
9. Michael Fassbender wanted to be a guitarist in a band
Acting wasn’t always Michael Fassbender’s priority. Despite enrolling in drama school at 17, the actor initially wanted to follow his passion for becoming a musician. Before gracing the big screen, which took him more than a decade to find his breakthrough, Fassbender had rockstar dreams.
Fassbender told Time magazine,
I really wanted to be a guitarist — I wanted to be a lead guitarist. But I wasn’t good enough. And it’s always hard to find a drummer, especially in small towns. Or a bass player.
So it was just me and this other guy Mike — the two Mikes — and we tried to put on a gig one time in this pub at lunchtime, playing Metallica. It didn’t go off too well. They kept turning the volume down, so it was like Unplugged, but with electric guitars. That was the one and only gig I ever played.
As per his interview, the actor aspired to be a lead guitarist and even attempted to form a Metallica cover band. However, finding committed bandmates in a small town proved challenging, leading him to explore other passions—like acting.
8. He appeared among the 100 Most Influential People of 2012
Following his iconic hits of 2012, including Shame, Jane Eyre, and Prometheus, Michael Fassbender was recognized by Time Out magazine as one of the most influential people of the year for his impact on cinema. The outlet thus included him in their list of the 100 Most Influential People.
This coveted title highlighted the actor’s rapid rise in Hollywood and his ability to captivate audiences worldwide. Meanwhile, The Guardian praised his potential by comparing him with veteran legend Marlon Brando. The outlet branded Fassbender as “the man to take on Brando’s mantle.”
7. The actor has actively supports charitable causes
Beyond the glitz and glamour, the actor and producer is also known for his philanthropic efforts. Fassbender is known to support charitable causes, including TIFF, Reel Comfort, and the Pocket Fund. Throughout his career, he has participated in various charity events and even supported organizations focused on children’s welfare.
Apart from offering his fair share of net worth to charities supporting children, Fassbender has also supported and funded RED, which raises awareness and fights AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria (via Enrichest). The actor seems to have majorly utilized his platform to raise awareness about social causes and give back to the community.
6. Michael Fassbender went through dramatic weight loss
Despite having a passion for music and racing while also being involved in charity work, Michael Fassbender has never neglected his acting career. In fact, he once dedicated himself to his role in the 2008 film Hunger to such an extent that he underwent a significant physical transformation, losing about 14 kilograms (approximately 30 pounds) under medical supervision.
As per IMDb,
I felt really focused, really centered, really strong. Hungry all the time, obviously. I lost about 14 kilos and weighed 59 kilos by the end. It was the only way we could do it and make it convincing.
We live in this society where nowadays if I want something, I take it, I eat it – it’s so easy and readily available. When you take all that away, you actually become more appreciative of the things around you. I don’t want to do it again, but there is a level where it humbles you in a good way.
Surviving on a diet of berries, nuts, and sardines, Fassbender showcased his dedication and commitment to authenticity while portraying the character of Bobby Sands, the IRA political prisoner who initiated a hunger strike.
5. Gina Carano kicked Michael Fassbender’s ass
A man insecure about his masculinity might never admit getting his ass whooped by a woman. But Michael Fassbender didn’t hesitate a bit before admitting that his Haywire co-star, Gina Carano, could easily take him out in an off-screen face-off. Considering Carano’s experience as a mixed martial artist, the actor seemed well aware of his strength and capabilities against her.
Fassbender shared via THR,
This isn’t Michael Fassbender doing this, it’s the character. I’m here to serve the story and the character. And in real life, Gina would beat the shit out of me in any circumstance. I mean, have you seen her on YouTube?
Perhaps the actor’s honest confession came from experience, especially after a few intense fight scenes, which became so realistic that the actor suffered injuries. Take, for example, during their showstopping hotel brawl, where Carano was supposed to miss the actor’s head while throwing a vase. But unfortunately, her force and aim were so precise that the vase smashed over Fassbender’s head.
4. Michael Fassbender is an Oscar-nominated star
Although it took Michael Fassbender decades to reach a certain level of stardom, his talent hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Academy. In fact, the actor has garnered two Oscar nominations from the committee. He received his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 12 Years a Slave and later earned a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of the tech genius himself in Steve Jobs.
3. The actor rubs shoulders with Robert De Niro and Daniel Day-Lewis
Now that we have already touched on the topic of Fassbender receiving coveted Oscar nods, we cannot overlook his impeccable achievement at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award. According to IMDb reports, the actor is only the fifth actor ever to receive more than one Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor.
So it seems that this particular achievement allows the actor to rub shoulders with the other four actors—Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Robert Duvall, and Daniel Day-Lewis—who achieved more than one Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award.
2. Michael Fassbender worked at a bar, post office, and as a Dell employee
Since Michael Fassbender has been rocking the entertainment industry with his iconic performances, people might know a lot about his film career. However, not many will be aware of how the actor held various jobs, including bartending, working at a post office, and even a stint at Dell computers, before his acting career took off (via YouTube).
Apparently, before making it big in Hollywood, Fassbender tried his hands on multiple gigs and part-time jobs to make ends meet. Surprisingly, his experience as a bartender later helped him in films, where he was required to make and serve drinks.
1. The actor went on a cross-Europe motorbike trip
An adventurer at heart who’s known for his ability to steer the wheel at the prestigious Le Mans, Michael Fassbender also happens to be a bike aficionado. So much so that the actor even embarked on a motorcycle journey across Europe, embracing the open road and the diverse cultures along the way, with his father (via Interview magazine).
I just went off for two months traveling around Europe on a motorcycle and pretty much turned my phone off. I did 5,000 miles with my dad. We went through Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Italy . . . and then I did Spain and France by myself.
So it seems that from being an aspiring musician to finding success as an acclaimed actor, Michael Fassbender’s journey has been as dynamic and compelling as the characters he portrays onscreen. Well, here we rest our list of lesser-known facts about the legend himself.
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