Last updated on: August 11, 2025
Tobias Santelmann is a Norwegian actor known for grounded, quietly intense performances across film, television, and stage. Born on August 8, 1980, in Freiburg, Germany, and raised on Norway’s southern coast, he trained at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and spent his early career in repertory theatre. His screen breakthrough came with the Oscar-nominated adventure “Kon-Tiki” (2012), which led to a steady run of prominent roles at home and abroad.
International viewers know him as Ragnar the Younger in the BBC/Netflix historical saga “The Last Kingdom” and as Henrik, the charmingly reckless financier, in NRK’s hit drama “Exit.” His feature work includes playing the warlord Rhesus in Dwayne Johnson’s “Hercules” (2014) and turns in Nordic thrillers and prestige dramas.
As of December 2025, Tobias Santelmann is 45 years and 3 months old. His estimated net worth is $2 million, and he is 6 feet 2½ inches (189 cm or 1.89 m) tall.
Bio/Wiki
Full Name
Tobias Santelmann
Nickname
Tobias
Profession
Actor
Career
Debut
Film
Kon-Tiki (2012)
TV Show
Maria (2010)
Best Known for
Santelmann is best known for starring as Norwegian explorer Knut Haugland in the Academy Award-nominated film Kon-Tiki (2012).
Awards
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
August 8, 1980
Age
As of today, Tobias Santelmann is 45 years, 3 months, and 28 days old.
Zodiac sign
Leo
Signature
Nationality
Norwegian
Birth Place
Freiburg, Germany
Residence
Oslo, Norway
School / College / University
He studied at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts (also known as the Oslo National Academy of Dramatic Arts) and graduated in 2006.
Religion
Christianity
Race / Ethnicity
White Norwegian
Hobbies
Acting
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet: 6′ 2½”
- In Centimetres: 189 cm
- In meters: 1.89 m
Weight
- In kilograms: 77 kg
- In Pounds: 169.5 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: unknown
- Biceps Size: unknown
- Waist Size: unknown
Shoe size
13 (US)
Eye color
Green
Hair color
Light Brown
Family
Partner
Jennifer Braathen
Father
Heiko Santelmann
Heiko Santelmann, father of actor Tobias Santelmann, is a German-born physician and naturopath with an extensive international career in both conventional and alternative medicine. Trained in psychology, chemistry, and medicine in Münster, West Berlin, and Freiburg, he worked as an assistant physician in Germany before moving to Norway in 1981. Over decades, he practiced as a general physician, emergency room doctor, and holistic health specialist, blending conventional medicine with therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, neural therapy, and Ayurveda.
Beyond his medical practice, Heiko has served as a researcher, lecturer, and founder of several health organizations, contributing articles to medical journals and speaking internationally on integrative medicine. His career includes humanitarian work, such as serving as a doctor for the Red Crescent in a Palestinian refugee camp, and research on topics like Candida Syndrome. Even after a stroke in 2010 ended his active practice, he remained a respected voice in holistic and integrative health.
Mother
His mother’s name is not known.
Siblings
None
Children
Alba Santelmann (Daughter) (JULY 13, 2015)
Relationship & More
Marital Status
In a relationship with Jennifer Braathen
Marriage Date
Unknown
Affairs or dating history
Jennifer Braathen (present)
Social Media Profiles
$2 million
As of December 2025, it’s estimated that Tobias Santelmann has a net worth of about $2 million. He isn’t just one of Norway’s most recognisable actors — he’s also quietly built a career that blends local prestige with international exposure. That mix has turned into a steady (and likely growing) income stream. Here’s how it all comes together.
1. Television: The Big Earner
In Norway, Tobias is TV royalty. His starring role in Exit, NRK’s record-breaking drama, put him firmly in the top tier of domestic talent. Norway’s average actor earns around NOK 800,000–990,000 a year, but top-billed names on hit shows typically negotiate well above that. Given Exit’s success, it’s fair to say this was a major paycheck.
Then there’s the international side. Tobias has appeared in global productions like The Last Kingdom (BBC/Netflix) and Atlantic Crossing (NRK/PBS). These co-productions run on bigger budgets and often pay at international market rates, which means more per episode than a purely Norwegian drama.
And now, he’s set to lead Netflix’s adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole. Streaming platforms pay premium rates for high-profile leads, and a flagship series like this could be his biggest TV payday yet.
2. Feature Films: Studio Paychecks + Residuals
Tobias isn’t a stranger to Hollywood-scale productions. His roles in Hercules (2014) and Point Break (2015) were made under SAG-AFTRA contracts, which guarantee solid minimum rates and long-term residuals. Even supporting roles in these kinds of films can mean tens of thousands of dollars upfront — plus more every time the movie airs, streams, or sells in a new market.
3. Residuals: The Long Game
Residuals are where past work keeps paying off. Thanks to U.S. union rules, Tobias earns a cut whenever his American-made projects are re-used — whether that’s a streaming binge, a cable rerun, or an international sale. For titles with global audiences like The Last Kingdom or Hercules, that can add up over the years.
4. Stage Work: Early Career Foundations
Before screen fame, Tobias worked at Det Norske Teatret and other Norwegian stages. Theatre salaries are modest compared to film or TV, but they gave him stability, credibility, and the network that helped land those breakout screen roles.
5. Endorsements and Appearances: Off-Screen Earnings
Through representation at Panorama and Salomonsson, Tobias also takes on brand work, commercials, and event appearances. These gigs are more variable — anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per campaign — but they can be lucrative add-ons between acting projects.
Car collection
House
Updated soon
Pets
Updated soon
Find on Web
Website
None
None
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