Let’s be honest, most of us got acquainted with the great Jason Momoa when he portrayed the tough Khal Drogo in the popular series Game of Thrones. Though his character didn’t last long, we can say that Momoa made of Drogo a very iconic character and also propelled his career to make him a very renowned actor nowadays. Not only does he have a very peculiar and eye-catching look, he also has a very bubbly personality that makes him an appealing figure for all his fans. But who’s Jason Momoa and what has been his career like beyond Game of Thrones?
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1979, Momoa’s father is a Native Hawaiian and his mother is of German, Irish, and Native American descent. At an early age, he moved to Iowa with his mother. There, he attended school and even started a career in marine biology. However, before graduating, he decided to move back to Hawaii to spend time with his father. In his youth, he became an avid arts lover, even attending some courses in Paris to become a pastel painter, and nurtured his spirituality through Buddhist teachings in Tibet.
But it wasn’t until he moved with his father that his career skyrocketed. He was working at a surf shop when he was discovered by Takeo Kobayashi, an international designer who encouraged him to pursue a career in modeling. This spotlight led him to be cast in the TV show Baywatch Hawaiiand other minor roles in other series and movies. Some years later, though, he would have his big break as Drogo. Though his career hasn’t been that prolific so far, he’s managed to climb in the mountain of success. These are some of his most notable roles.
Conan the Barbarian(2011) Dir. Marcus Nispel
Some months after Game of Thronescame out, he got his first starring role in the remake of the 1980s film Conan. The movie tells the story of Conan, the son of the chief of a Barbarian tribe, and the character's journey to prove he’s worthy of becoming a great warrior. Though it didn’t have the praises they were expecting, the movie along with the series put Momoa on the list of new talents who only needed a bit of polish to shine.
Road to Paloma (2014) Dir. Jason Momoa
Momoa isn’t really a person who wants things to be given to him just like that, and in 2014 he wanted to prove he was capable of being more than just an actor. This chance came with the movie Road to Paloma, which he produced, directed, co-wrote, and where he also played the lead role. The film tells the story of a Native American man who, after killing his mother’s rapist, wants to take her ashes away while trying to escape the police.
Sugar Mountain(2016) Dir. Richard Gray
After inheriting their mother’s business in a snowy resort town in Alaska, two brothers decide to fake the disappearance of one of them in the wilderness to sell a survival story. Though Momoa doesn’t appear that much in the film, for the critics, his part was one of the movie's highlights, and definitely a great hook for moviegoers.
Once Upon a Time in Venice (2017) Dir. Mark Cullen and Robb Cullen
This is one of his few comedies, and we can definitely tell he also has that funny and sassy attitude to interpret this kind of role. Co-starring with Bruce Willis, John Goodman, and Adam Goldberg, Momoa plays the role of Spyder, a drug lord who wants the lead, a private detector, to do some work for him. To do so, he decides to steal his precious dog to coerce him.
The Bad Batch(2017) Dir. Ana Lily Amirpour
This thriller mixed with dark comedy takes us to a near future in which people are being sent to a remote territory in Texas after being targeted as undesirable by society, in other words, as the bad batch. This group of outcasts (played among others, by Momoa, Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves, and Diego Luna) develops their own laws away from society and even morals.
Aquaman (2018) Dir. James Wan
And last but not least, his upcoming stellar superhero movie. As we know, he’s played the role of the iconic Aquaman in two movies so far, but this one will be centered on the character’s story. Here, we’ll see the story of Arthur Curry, a half-Atlantean and half-human who is summoned to go back to Atlantis and face his half-brother to overthrow him.
As we talked about before, his career isn’t that long and prolific, but it’s undeniable that he’s become an iconic figure in the industry and that he’s only on his way to have an awesome career. I really enjoy watching him on anything he collaborates on regardless of the story mainly because he has a magnetic personality that manages to captivate viewers like few actors can.
BONUS:
We have just seen one of the most charming performances of Jason Momoa in this ad that was broadcast during the Super Bowl.
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