Mishaël Lopes Cardozo – actor, HEMA master, coach & artist

A life well-forged

Mishaël Lopes Cardozo has never followed a conventional path. Actor, fight choreographer, HEMA instructor, musician, surrealist artist, and mentor. His career has been shaped by a lifelong pursuit of craft, discipline, and storytelling.

International audiences may recognize him from productions such as Game of Thrones and Vikings, while others know him through his work in historical combat tournaments, computer games and his workshops and seminars across the globe.

Whether teaching swordsmanship, guiding performers, creating art, or stepping in front of the camera, every project is driven by the same philosophy: authenticity, passion, and presence.

Take a look around and discover the world behind his work.

Grounded in experience

Mishaël has been practicing and teaching Historical European Martial Arts since 1992. In 2002 he founded AMEK, which has since grown into a HEMA organization with four club locations and around 150 students. He founded the HEFFAC which evolved from a lowlands coalition into an international organisation.

Over the years, he has taught seminars and workshops in more than 30 countries and was knighted in the Netherlands in 2008 for his contribution to Dutch martial heritage. His work has been recognized with three Hall of Fame awards.

Alongside his martial arts career, Mishaël has appeared in international film and television productions, combining performance with fight choreography and historical combat expertise.

Mishaël Lopes Cardozo is available for workshops, coaching, lectures, fight choreography, motion capture, events, and demonstration worldwide. If you have an interest in Historical European Martial Arts, you can join his club CARDOZO SWORDSPORT which has chapters in Haarlem, Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

Workshops & Lectures

Mishaël's workshops draw on decades of expertise in Historical European Martial Arts, film, performance, personal development, and creative entrepreneurship. Topics range from medieval longsword and dagger fighting to self-defense, acting, mindset, and career development for artists and performers.

Each workshop is practical, engaging, and shaped by real-world application rather than theory alone. Whether the goal is to develop a new skill, gain confidence, deepen understanding, or discover a fresh perspective, participants leave with tools they can immediately apply. Serious subjects are approached with enthusiasm, energy, and a healthy dose of humor, creating an environment that is both educational and enjoyable.

Open to individuals and groups of all experience levels.

Art & Music

Creativity takes many forms. Alongside his work in film, martial arts, and education, Mishaël remains active as a musician and visual artist.

His acoustic duo Rumbazz performs at weddings, festivals, and private events, while his rock band BEARD brings a mix of covers and original material to the stage. His surrealist artwork is available as original pieces, prints, and commissioned works.

Explore the music and art pages to discover another side of a life beyond one discipline.

A life beyond one discipline

From film productions and live performances to workshops, lectures, and personal coaching, Mishaël brings a lifetime of knowledge and experience to every collaboration.
If you're looking for authenticity, professionalism, and a fresh perspective, we'd love to hear from you.

Active in over 30 countries
Teaching workshops and masterclasses around the world, sharing authentic HEMA knowledge, stage combat, and performance training with students, actors, and martial artists internationally.

Knighted for contributions to martial heritage
Officially recognized in the Netherlands for a lifelong dedication to Historical European Martial Arts — alongside multiple Hall of Fame distinctions honoring his contribution to the field.

Screen-proven actor and fight choreographer
Mishaël Lopes Cardozo has appeared in productions including Game of Thrones, Vikings, KAOS, and other international productions. Beyond choreography, he brings expertise in historical combat, camera work, movement, and cinematic storytelling to every scene.

Mentor, coach, and speaker
From resilience coaching and personal development to workshops and international lectures, his approach combines discipline, experience, and practical insight drawn from decades in martial arts and performance.

A creative force across disciplines
Actor, musician, model, and surrealist artist, bringing a distinctive blend of creativity, authenticity, and lived experience to every collaboration.