The Two Secrets Of Peter Dinklage: What We Know (And Don't Know) About His Children

One of Hollywood's most celebrated and private couples, Peter Dinklage and his wife, theatre director Erica Schmidt, are famously protective of their family life, especially their two children. As of December 2025, the children—a daughter and a son—are growing up shielded from the relentless glare of the public eye, a deliberate choice by the Emmy-winning actor to ensure their privacy and a normal upbringing.

This commitment to privacy means that while fans know the actor who brought Tyrion Lannister to life is a devoted father, the most basic details, including the children's names, remain a closely guarded secret. This article delves into the few confirmed facts about Peter Dinklage's children, the powerful reasons behind their parents' decision to keep them out of the spotlight, and the inspiring career of the family's matriarch, Erica Schmidt.

Peter Dinklage and Erica Schmidt: A Profile in Privacy and Parenthood

The foundation of the Dinklage-Schmidt family is built on a shared passion for the arts and a profound respect for personal boundaries. Understanding the parents' background is essential to grasping their philosophy on raising children in the public eye.

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Peter Dinklage's Biography and Career Highlights

• Full Name: Peter Hayden Dinklage
• Born: June 11, 1969
• Birthplace: Morristown, New Jersey, USA
• Education: Bennington College (Drama)
• Spouse: Erica Schmidt (m. 2005)
• Children: Two (a daughter and a son)
• Breakthrough Role: Finbar McBride in The Station Agent (2003)
• Most Famous Role: Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
• Major Awards: Four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Game of Thrones.
• Notable Recent Works: Cyrano (2021), The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), Brothers (2024).
• Personal Note: Dinklage was born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism, and has become a prominent advocate for positive representation in media.

Erica Schmidt's Biography and Creative Influence

Erica Schmidt is a highly respected theatre director, playwright, and screenwriter. She married Peter Dinklage in 2005, and their relationship is often cited as a cornerstone of the actor's life. Schmidt's artistic contributions are significant, particularly in the New York theatre scene.

• Born: 1975 (Approximate)
• Profession: Theatre Director, Playwright, Screenwriter
• Notable Directing Works: A highly-regarded, all-female adaptation of Shakespeare's Mac Beth (2019), All the Fine Boys (2017).
• Screenwriting: She wrote the screenplay for the 2021 film Cyrano, which starred her husband, Peter Dinklage, and was nominated for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe.
• Awards: Recipient of a Princess Grace Award.

The Confirmed Facts About Peter Dinklage’s Two Children

Despite the intense public curiosity surrounding the family of the globally recognized *Game of Thrones* star, the details about his children are minimal. The couple has successfully maintained a shield of privacy, only confirming the birth and gender of their children, but nothing more.

1. The First Child: A Daughter

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2011. As of late 2025, she would be approximately 14 years old.

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• Gender: Daughter
• Year of Birth: 2011
• Approximate Age (Dec 2025): 14
• Name: Unrevealed

The daughter's birth coincided with the rise of Dinklage's global fame as Tyrion Lannister, making the decision to protect her identity even more crucial. Rare paparazzi photos over the years have shown Dinklage in his role as a loving father, often carrying or walking with his daughter in New York City, but the parents have ensured her face and name remain absent from official media.

2. The Second Child: A Son

In 2017, the family grew with the arrival of their second child. While some initial reports were vague, later sources have generally confirmed the second child is a son. As of late 2025, the son would be about 8 years old.

• Gender: Son (Widely reported)
• Year of Birth: 2017
• Approximate Age (Dec 2025): 8
• Name: Unrevealed

The birth of their son further solidified the family unit. Erica Schmidt was reportedly pregnant while directing her play All the Fine Boys in 2017, a detail that was noted but did not compromise the family's overall privacy.

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Why Peter Dinklage and Erica Schmidt Keep Their Children’s Names a Secret

The most compelling aspect of the Dinklage family's life is their unwavering commitment to privacy. In an era where celebrity children often become tabloid fodder from birth, the couple has drawn a hard line, a decision Peter Dinklage has occasionally discussed in interviews.

The Philosophy of Privacy

Peter Dinklage has repeatedly emphasized his desire for his children to have as normal a life as possible, free from the burden of his celebrity. This is a common sentiment among high-profile actors, but Dinklage and Schmidt have executed it with exceptional success. He has spoken about the pervasive nature of modern celebrity culture, particularly the constant presence of phone cameras.

In one interview, Dinklage expressed his frustration not with fans asking for a picture—which he is generally happy to grant—but with the "sneaking of the photo." This invasion of privacy is what he actively seeks to protect his children from. The decision to withhold their names is the ultimate firewall, ensuring that a simple Google search does not immediately expose them to the public domain.

Fatherhood and Personal Growth

While he rarely speaks about his children directly, Dinklage has been open about the transformative impact of fatherhood on his life. He has credited becoming a father with making him a "better man," suggesting that parenthood provided a new depth and perspective. This personal growth is a recurring theme in his rare comments about his family, indicating that his role as a father is his most cherished.

The family primarily resides in New York City, a location that offers a degree of anonymity and normalcy compared to the celebrity enclaves of Los Angeles. This choice of residence, combined with their theatre-centric professional lives (Erica Schmidt is a prolific playwright and director), reflects a lifestyle that prioritizes art and family over Hollywood's superficial glamour.

Topical Authority: Peter Dinklage's Legacy Beyond Tyrion

Peter Dinklage's career is a powerful testament to challenging industry norms. His success, particularly his iconic role as Tyrion Lannister, has redefined the roles available to actors with dwarfism (achondroplasia).

• Challenging Tropes: Dinklage has consistently refused roles that rely on outdated or stereotypical tropes related to his height.
• The Cyrano Project: His collaboration with his wife on the film Cyrano is a perfect example of his artistic ambition. Schmidt adapted the classic French play, and Dinklage's portrayal of the title character—a man whose perceived flaw is his size, not his nose—was a powerful, modern reinterpretation.
• Impact on Media: His four Primetime Emmy Awards for Game of Thrones are not just personal accolades; they represent a seismic shift in how actors of all physical types are viewed and cast in major, complex roles.

Ultimately, Peter Dinklage and Erica Schmidt's decision to keep their children's names and lives private is a powerful act of modern parenting. It's a choice to give their daughter (born 2011) and son (born 2017) the gift of anonymity, allowing them to forge their own identities outside the shadow of the Seven Kingdoms and the spotlight of their famous parents.