Erik Poppe Biography: Height, Wife, Age, Net Worth, Movies, Parents, Siblings, Awards, Instagram, Kids

Erik Poppe is a prominent Norwegian filmmaker who transitioned from the gritty front lines of international conflict to the heights of European cinema.

He first gained significant international attention with Hawaii, Oslo, a film that used a sprawling narrative to connect disparate lives in the city of Oslo, earning him widespread acclaim and establishing his reputation as a master of human-centric storytelling.

Before becoming a director, he worked as a photojournalist for Reuters and the newspaper Verdens Gang, experiences that deeply informed his visual style.

His ability to translate complex ethical dilemmas and historical traumas into cinematic experiences has made him one of the most respected voices in Scandinavian media today.

Profile

• Full Name: Erik Poppe
• Date of Birth: June 24, 1960
• Age: 65 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Oslo, Norway
• Nationality: Norwegian
• Profession: Film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer
• Eye Color: Blue
• Hair Color: Grey
• Parents: Per Frølich Poppe and Aase Poppe
• Siblings: Tine Poppe
• Spouse: Kirsten Thorseth Poppe
• Children: N/A
• Relationship Status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Norwegian
• Net worth: $5,000,000

Early Life and Education

Erik Poppe is now at the age of 65 and was born on June 24, 1960, in Oslo, Norway.

He spent his formative years moving between Norway and Portugal due to his father’s career.

His father, Per Frølich Poppe, was a well-known designer of winter sports apparel, while his sister, Tine Poppe, eventually became a distinguished photographer in her own right.

His education in the arts began in earnest when he moved to Sweden to study at the Dramatic Institute in Stockholm.

He graduated in 1991, majoring in cinematography.

Later in his career, he returned to academia to further refine his craft, completing a PhD at the Norwegian Film School, where he focused on the artistic processes of filmmaking.

Personal Life

Erik Poppe is married to Kirsten Thorseth Poppe.

The couple has maintained a relatively private life despite Poppe’s high-profile career, though Kirsten is frequently seen supporting him at international film festivals and premieres.

They have two children together, whose names are not public knowledge as the director keeps his family life out of the tabloid spotlight.

Career

Erik Poppe began his career in the 1980s, working in the high-pressure world of news photography.

His time with Reuters saw him covering major global events, an experience that instilled in him a preference for realism.

He transitioned to directing commercials and music videos before releasing his first feature film, Schpaaa, in 1998.

This film began what critics call his Oslo Trilogy, followed by Hawaii, Oslo in 2004 and Troubled Water in 2008.

In 2013, he directed A Thousand Times Good Night, which drew heavily from his own life as a conflict photographer.

He reached a new level of technical complexity with Utøya: July 22 in 2018, which was filmed in a single continuous take to depict the 2011 terror attacks.

In 2024, he released Quisling: The Final Days, a film exploring the psyche of Norway’s most notorious traitor.

By 2025, he has shifted focus toward collaborating with Nobel laureate Jon Fosse on a new project titled Bad Moon Rising.

Awards

• Amanda Award for Best Film (2005)
• Amanda Award for Best Director (2008)
• Special Grand Prize of the Jury at Montreal World Film Festival (2013)
• Amanda Award for Best Film (2017)
• Canon Award for Best Director (2017)
• CineFest Ambassador of European Cinema (2025)

Net worth

Erik Poppe has an estimated net worth of $5,000,000.

This wealth has been accumulated through a steady career as a top-tier director in Norway, where his films often dominate the local box office and receive significant government film grants.

Social Media

• Instagram: @erikpoppe

Filmography

• Schpaaa (1998)
• Hawaii, Oslo (2004)
• Troubled Water (2008)
• A Thousand Times Good Night (2013)
• The King’s Choice (2016)
• Utøya: July 22 (2018)
• The Emigrants (2021)
• Quisling: The Final Days (2024)