The Private Life Of A Lannister: Everything We Know About Peter Dinklage's Two Children

Peter Dinklage, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his iconic role as Tyrion Lannister on the global phenomenon Game of Thrones, maintains a fiercely private personal life, especially concerning his family. As of late 2025, the actor and his wife, Erica Schmidt, are proud parents to two children, but details about the younger generation of the Dinklage family are among Hollywood's most closely guarded secrets.

This article dives into the known facts about Peter Dinklage’s children—their birth years, their parents' philosophy on raising them out of the spotlight, and the overall family dynamic with his accomplished playwright wife, Erica Schmidt. The actor has made it clear that while his professional life is public, his home life remains a sanctuary, a stance he has upheld rigorously for over a decade.

Peter Dinklage: A Comprehensive Profile and Biography

Peter Hayden Dinklage is an American actor whose career trajectory is marked by critical acclaim and a deliberate choice of challenging roles. Born on June 11, 1969, in Morristown, New Jersey, Dinklage is 56 years old as of 2025.

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He was born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism, and stands at 4 feet 5 inches (1.35 m).

Key Biographical Facts

• Full Name: Peter Hayden Dinklage
• Born: June 11, 1969
• Age (2025): 56
• Birthplace: Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.
• Education: Bennington College (Drama)
• Spouse: Erica Schmidt (m. 2005)
• Children: Two (A daughter and a second child)
• Breakthrough Role: Finbar McBride in The Station Agent (2003)
• Most Famous Role: Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
• Major Awards: He has won four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for his work on Game of Thrones, making him one of the most decorated actors in television history.
• Notable Films: Elf, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Cyrano.

Dinklage’s professional journey began in the 1990s in New York City's theater scene after graduating from Bennington College. His dedication to the craft led to his breakout role in the 2003 film The Station Agent, which set the stage for his eventual global fame. His portrayal of Tyrion Lannister is widely considered one of the greatest television performances of all time, transforming him into a household name and an international superstar.

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The Two Children: Birth Dates and The Secret of Their Names

The most current information available confirms that Peter Dinklage and his wife, Erica Schmidt, are parents to two children. The couple has been married since 2005, and their family has grown steadily since then.

The first child, a daughter, was welcomed in 2011. Her birth coincided with the early years of Game of Thrones, a period of rapidly increasing public scrutiny for the actor. The second child arrived in 2017.

Why The Children's Names Are Unknown

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In an era where celebrity children often have their lives documented on social media from birth, Peter Dinklage and Erica Schmidt have taken a firm, almost unprecedented stance on privacy. The names of both children have never been publicly revealed. Furthermore, the gender of the second child, born in 2017, has also been consistently shielded from the media, with reports simply referring to the child as "their second child" or "their second kid."

This commitment to privacy is a deliberate choice by the couple to ensure their children have a normal upbringing away from the intense glare of Hollywood fame. Dinklage has described himself as "a private person in many ways," a philosophy that extends fully to his role as a father.

The family is known to reside in a peaceful, secluded retreat in Upstate New York, a wooded sanctuary that provides a quiet creative life away from the noise of Los Angeles and New York City. This physical distance from the celebrity hub is another layer of protection for their children, allowing them to grow up with a focus on family and simplicity.

Erica Schmidt: The Accomplished Wife and Mother

The foundation of Peter Dinklage’s private family life is his enduring 20-year marriage to Erica Schmidt. Schmidt is an accomplished playwright and theater director, whose professional achievements stand independently of her husband's fame.

The couple met in New York City and married in 2005 in a low-key, private ceremony. Their relationship is often cited as a cornerstone of Dinklage's stability, providing a grounding force amid his meteoric rise to fame.

A Shared Philosophy on Family Life

Schmidt's career in the theater is a key part of their shared life. She has been nominated for a Drama Desk Award and is known for directing and adapting classics, such as her acclaimed off-Broadway adaptation of Cyrano, which Peter Dinklage starred in. This professional partnership highlights a deep, creative connection that underpins their marriage and shared parenting philosophy.

Their joint decision to keep their children out of the public eye is a powerful statement about protecting childhood innocence. They have successfully navigated the challenges of modern celebrity to ensure their children are not defined or exposed by their father's fame, a rare feat in the digital age. This dedication to privacy is seen by many fans and commentators as a commendable and responsible approach to celebrity parenting.

The actor's comments often hint at the importance of family over fame. He has spoken about wanting to give his children a normal life, a sentiment that resonates with his desire to remain a "hermit" despite his global recognition. This commitment to a quiet life, focused on his wife and children, is the core of the Dinklage family's identity.

Topical Authority and LSI Keywords: The Dinklage Family Entity

To fully understand the entity of "Peter Dinklage Kids," one must look at the broader context of the Dinklage-Schmidt family unit. The core LSI keywords and entities paint a picture of a grounded, creatively focused family: Erica Schmidt, playwright, theater director, New York City, Upstate New York retreat, privacy, Game of Thrones, Tyrion Lannister, achondroplasia, Bennington College, and Primetime Emmy Award.

The curiosity surrounding the children's lives is a direct result of Dinklage’s immense fame and his resolute refusal to monetize or expose his family. This intentional lack of information is what makes the topic so compelling and fresh—the latest update is always that there is no update, a testament to the family's success in maintaining their boundaries. The children, a daughter born in 2011 and a second child born in 2017, remain the ultimate example of celebrity offspring raised entirely out of the spotlight.

In conclusion, while the world knows Peter Dinklage as the brilliant, witty Tyrion Lannister, the man behind the role is a devoted husband and father of two who prioritizes a simple, private life with his family. The names and specific details of his children are not public knowledge, and based on the family's consistent actions over the last decade, they are unlikely to be revealed anytime soon. This commitment to their privacy is the most significant and consistent fact about Peter Dinklage's kids.