Morten Tyldum (; born 19 May 1967) is a Norwegian film director. He is best known in his native Norway for directing the thriller film Headhunters (2011), based on the novel by Jo Nesbø, and internationally for directing the historical drama The Imitation Game (2014), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director, and the science fiction drama Passengers (2016).
Early life Tyldum was born in Bergen, Norway. He was educated at the School of Visual Arts in New York. He originally wanted to be a musician, but abandoned the ambition when he entered film school.
Career He had his feature film debut with Buddy in 2003, a film that won great popular and critical acclaim. Previously he had worked in television, music videos, commercials and short films. He had been named Film Talent of the Year by the newspaper Dagbladet in 1999.
Since Buddy, he has made the movie Fallen Angels in 2008 and Headhunters (Hodejegerne) in 2011. Headhunters is based on the 2008 novel by same name written by Jo Nesbø. It became the highest-grossing Norwegian film that year.
He made his English language debut with the historical drama The Imitation Game, about the life of mathematician Alan Turing, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The Imitation Game immediately became an international success, and was nominated for eight Oscars at the 87th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a Best Director nomination for Tyldum himself.
Personal life Tyldum lived in Beverly Hills with his wife Janne and their child. They also maintained a house in Norway. After he divorced his wife and her death by suicide, he moved back to Oslo, Norway, with his son."Filmregissør Morten Tyldum flytter hjem. Slutten i L.A. ble vond.", Aftenposten 15 August 2020
In November 2025 he announced his engagement to The Challenge alumni Big (Tula) T. In 2026, Tyldum and Tula married after being engaged for 4 months.
Filmography Film Buddy (2003) Fallen Angels (2008) Headhunters (2011) The Imitation Game (2014) Passengers (2016) Ibelin (2027)
Short film Year Title Notes 1996 Lorenzo 2000 Fort Forever 2002 H Segment of Folk flest bor i Kina
Television Year Title Director ExecutiveProducer Notes 1991 U - rett og slett 1992 U - Verden 1992-1994 U 19 episodes 1993 U - Vår Vår 2 episodes 1994 U - Musikk Miniseries U-natt 1 episode U - Åtte & 1/2 8 episodes 1996 En mann må gjøre det han må TV movie 2017 Counterpart Episode "The Crossing" 2018 Jack Ryan Episode "Pilot" 2020 Defending Jacob Miniseries 2023 Silo 3 episodes 2026 Cape Fear Episode "Fingers & Toes"
Awards and nominations YearAwardTitleResult2002Mannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival - Special PrizeBuddyMannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival - FIPRESCI PrizeMannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival - Award of Independent Cinema Owners2003Warsaw International Film Festival - Audience AwardNorwegian International Film Festival - Audience AwardNorwegian International Film Festival - Most Enjoyable FilmMolodist International Film Festival - Best Film AwardBratislava International Film Festival - Grand PrixAmanda Awards, Norway - Best Nordic Newcomer2004Sofia International Film Festival - Grand PrixAmanda Awards, Norway - Best Film2008Amanda Awards, Norway - Best DirectorFallen Angels2011Philadelphia Film Festival - Audience AwardHeadhunters2012European Film Awards - Audience AwardAmanda Awards, Norway - Public Choice Award2013BAFTA Film Award - Best Foreign Film2014Hollywood Film Awards - Best DirectorThe Imitation Game2015AACTA International Awards - Best DirectionDirectors Guild Awards - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature FilmAcademy Award for Best Director
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