Australia Insider Update English (AU)
Australia Daily Australia Insider Update
Blog Business Local Politics Tech World

Damian Hardung: Medical School, Career & Life Now

Thomas James Wilson • 2026-07-24 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

You’ve probably seen him as the sharp-witted Daniel Riffert in How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) or as the aristocratic James Beaufort in Maxton Hall. But Damian Hardung, the 26-year-old German actor, has a second life that surprises many of his fans: he’s also a medical student. This article separates verified facts from fan speculation about his education, personal life, and career, drawing on official profiles and recent interviews.

Born: September 7, 1998 · Nationality: German · Profession: Actor · Known for: How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), Maxton Hall · Instagram followers: 3 million+

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born on September 7, 1998 in Cologne, Germany (Wikipedia)
  • Attended Humboldt-Gymnasium and completed Abitur in 2016 (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)
  • Began studying medicine in 2018 (Grazia)
  • Starred in “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)” (2019) and “Maxton Hall” (2024) (People)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether he is still officially enrolled in medical school
  • His current relationship status
  • His specific religion or if he practices one
3Timeline signal
  • 1998: Born in Cologne, Germany (Wikipedia)
  • 2011: First film role in “CLARA” at age 13 (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)
  • 2018: Began medical studies at University of Cologne (Grazia)
  • 2024: Starred in “Maxton Hall”; moved to Los Angeles (People)
4What’s next
  • Likely continuation of his acting career on international projects
  • Potential completion of medical studies (practical year)
  • Further public appearances tied to “Maxton Hall” promotions

Eight key facts summarize Damian Hardung’s background, from his birth to his notable roles.

Full Name Damian Hardung
Date of Birth September 7, 1998
Place of Birth Cologne, Germany
Nationality German
Profession Actor
Education University of Cologne (Medicine, incomplete)
Active Years 2011–present
Known For Daniel Riffert in “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)”

Is Damian Hardung still studying medicine?

This is the question that draws the most curiosity. Unlike many actors who leave academics behind, Hardung has maintained a dual track — acting and medical school — for years.

Did Damian Hardung go to medical school?

  • He enrolled at the University of Cologne in 2018, according to multiple profiles (Grazia). A 2019 BILD report placed him in his second semester.
  • In March 2023, Hardung told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger that he was in his eighth semester.

Is Damian Hardung a doctor?

  • No. He has not completed the medical program. According to a 2025 report by Der Tagesspiegel, he had passed his second state exam and was approaching the practical year — still short of a license.
  • A 2025 People interview confirmed he was studying for his second state exam while filming Maxton Hall.
Bottom line: Damian Hardung is not a doctor. He has invested several years in medical school but paused his studies — or is taking an extended break — to pursue acting. For fans asking “Is he a doctor?”, the answer is clearly no. For those wondering if he might return, the practical year is still a realistic next step.
The upshot

Juggling medical school with a rising acting career has kept Hardung from finishing his degree. The trade-off: he gained international fame but delayed his medical license indefinitely.

What this means: Hardung continues to prioritize acting, but his medical progress suggests he hasn’t abandoned the degree entirely.

What ethnicity is Damian Hardung?

Ethnicity often gets conflated with nationality in fan searches. For Hardung, both are straightforward.

What is Damian Hardung’s nationality?

  • He is German, born and raised in Cologne (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger).
  • His family background is not publicly detailed beyond being German; his parents are orthopedists, according to Grazia.

Where was Damian Hardung born?

  • Cologne, Germany, on September 7, 1998 (Wikipedia).

Why this matters: The lack of detailed ethnicity records is common for young actors who haven’t done deep biographical interviews. What is certain is his German nationality and upbringing in Cologne.

Where does Damian Hardung live now?

Hardung’s living situation shifted as his career went international.

Is Damian Hardung married?

  • No high-tier source confirms marriage or a public relationship. He keeps his private life off social media.

Who is Damian Hardung’s wife?

  • There is no verified information. Some fan speculation exists, but no credible evidence.

According to his Facebook page, he is based in Los Angeles, California. This matches his recent filming schedule for international productions.

The catch

Without a public relationship confirmation, any claims about a wife or girlfriend are unverified. Hardung’s Facebook location is the only official clue to his current residence.

The pattern: Hardung’s private life remains largely off the public record, with only his professional moves offering clues to his whereabouts.

Can Damian Hardung speak English?

Yes — fluently. His roles in English-language series like Maxton Hall and his online interview appearances confirm his proficiency.

What is Damian Hardung’s native language?

  • German. He was born and raised in Cologne, where he attended school in German.
  • He also speaks English and, according to Grazia, has knowledge of French, Italian, and Mandarin (unverified).

The implication: Hardung’s multilingual ability is a strong asset for an international acting career, but only German and English are consistently documented.

Eight core specifications, one pattern: Hardung’s life is split between two demanding worlds — acting and medicine — with no single label defining him.

Birthdate September 7, 1998
Place of Birth Cologne, Germany
Nationality German
Education University of Cologne (Medicine, incomplete)
Languages German (native), English (fluent), French/Italian/Mandarin (reported)
Active Years 2011–present
Known for How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), Maxton Hall
Instagram @damianhardung (3M+ followers)

Timeline

  • 1998 — Born in Cologne, Germany (Wikipedia)
  • 2011 — Starred in first feature film “CLARA” at age 13 (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)
  • 2015 — Played in “Club der roten Bänder” (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)
  • 2019 — Starred in “How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)” (Der Tagesspiegel)
  • 2024 — Starred in “Maxton Hall”; moved to Los Angeles, CA (People)
Bottom line: Hardung’s timeline shows a clear pattern: early acting success followed by simultaneous education pursuit. The 2024 move to LA marks a turning point toward a more international career.

This progression underscores a deliberate balancing act between two demanding fields.

What we know for sure — and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Damian Hardung was born on September 7, 1998 in Cologne, Germany (Wikipedia)
  • He attended Humboldt-Gymnasium in Cologne and completed Abitur in 2016 (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)
  • He began studying medicine at the University of Cologne in 2018 (BILD)
  • He is not a licensed medical doctor (Der Tagesspiegel)
  • He speaks German natively and English fluently

What’s unclear

  • Whether he is still officially enrolled as a medical student
  • His current relationship status (no verified partner)
  • His religious affiliation
  • Exact proficiency in French, Italian, and Mandarin (only reported by one source)
Bottom line: Hardung’s public profile is well documented for birth and education but deliberately vague on personal matters. The contrast between confirmed facts and open questions mirrors his own dual life.

Key perspectives

“I’m in my eighth semester of medical studies.”

Damian Hardung in an interview with Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (March 2023)

“Studying for his second state exam in medical school while filming Maxton Hall was necessary to stay sane.”

People magazine quoting Hardung (2025 interview)

For Damian Hardung, the tension between acting and medicine is real. For fans who want to know if he is a doctor, the implication is clear: he is not yet licensed, but he is still pursuing the degree while building a Hollywood career. For casting directors, his multilingual skill set and real-life medical background add depth to his roles.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Damian Hardung leave medical school?

He hasn’t officially left — he took a break or reduced his course load to focus on acting. He was still in his second state exam as of 2025.

What was Damian Hardung’s first acting role?

His first leading role was in the feature film “CLARA” in 2011, when he was 13.

Is Damian Hardung in any upcoming Netflix shows?

He starred in Maxton Hall (2024) on Amazon, not Netflix. He may appear in future Netflix projects but no official announcements exist.

How tall is Damian Hardung?

Height is not officially confirmed. Fan estimates vary around 5’10” (178 cm) but no credible source.

What is Damian Hardung’s most famous role?

He is best known for playing Daniel Riffert in How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) and James Beaufort in Maxton Hall.

Where did Damian Hardung study?

He attended Humboldt-Gymnasium in Cologne (Abitur 2016) and the University of Cologne (Medicine).

For readers interested in actor profiles, these pieces provide similar biographical depth on other rising stars.



Thomas James Wilson

About the author

Thomas James Wilson

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.