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Jason Momoa
File:Jason Momoa by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
Momoa in 2018
Born
Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa

(1979-08-01) August 1, 1979 (age 45)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • model
Years active1999–present
Spouse
(m. 2017)
Children2
RelativesZoë Kravitz (stepdaughter)
Signature
File:Jason Momoa autograph.png

Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa[1] (born August 1, 1979)[1] is an American actor, best known for playing Khal Drogo in the HBO fantasy television series Game of Thrones, Ronon Dex in Stargate Atlantis, Declan Harp in the Canadian series Frontier, and Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, and Aquaman.

Early life[]

An only child, Momoa was born in 1979 in Nānākuli, Honolulu, Hawaii[2] to Coni (Lemke), a photographer and Joseph Momoa, a painter.[1] He was raised in Norwalk, Iowa, by his mother.[2] His father is of Native Hawaiian ancestry[3][2][4] and his mother is of Cornish, English, French, German, Guernsey, Irish, Manx, Northern Irish (Scotch-Irish), Scottish, Welsh and Powhatan Native American descent.[2] After high school, Momoa attended college and initially majored in marine biology before switching to wildlife biology.[5]

Career[]

File:Jason momoa.jpg

Momoa during the filming of Stargate Atlantis in 2006

In 1998, Momoa was discovered by designer Eric Chandler and Takeo Kobayashi,[6] who encouraged his modeling career. At 19 years old, he also worked part-time in a surf shop before being cast in the action drama series Baywatch Hawaii,[7] where he appeared as Jason Ioane (1999–2001).[8]

In addition to his appearances in North Shore (2004–2005), Johnson Family Vacation (2004), and Stargate: Atlantis (2005–2009), Momoa was cast as Roman in four episodes of the comedy-drama television series The Game (2009). He portrayed the title protagonist in Conan the Barbarian (2011), a reimagining of the 1982 film of the same name and a role made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Momoa gained his role of Khal Drogo on HBO's Game of Thrones through his audition, in which he performed a Haka,[9] one of many intimidating Māori dances traditionally used to convey a challenge to an opponent, or a welcome to a visitor.[10]

Momoa directed and co-wrote Road to Paloma (2014), an American drama thriller film, together with writers Jonathan Hirschbein and Robert Homer Mollohan. The film stars Momoa, Sarah Shahi, Lisa Bonet, Michael Raymond-James, and Wes Studi.[11] It premiered at the 2014 Sarasota Film Festival in April 2014.[12] The film had a limited theatrical release on July 15, 2014 in New York City and Los Angeles and a VOD release.[13]

File:Jason Momoa Supercon 2014.jpg

Momoa in 2014

In March 2014, Momoa joined the dark comedy/thriller indie Sugar Mountain alongside Cary Elwes and Haley Webb; its principal photography was done in Alaska.[14][15] He also starred as Phillip Kopus, a Ramapough Mountain Indian, on the SundanceTV drama series The Red Road (2014–2015).[16]

In June 2014, Momoa was reported to have been cast in the role of Aquaman. He first played the role in a cameo in the superhero film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,[17][18][19] marking Aquaman's live action theatrical debut. Momoa played the character in a leading role in the 2017 ensemble film Justice League. He then starred in the Aquaman solo film, which released in late 2018.[20][21][22] He also reprised this role in The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part.[23]

In 2014, Momoa portrayed Connor in the Canadian horror action film Wolves,[24] and starred in the Sci-fi horror movie Debug; it was written and directed by Momoa's former Stargate Atlantis co-star, British-born Canadian actor David Hewlett. In February 2015, it was announced that he would portray a cannibal[25] in the drama thriller film The Bad Batch.[26] In 2015, Momoa was cast in the Canadian action film Braven, which was released on February 2, 2018.

In early 2017, he signed onto the official Just Cause movie series.[27][28]

In July 2018, Momoa was cast for Apple's upcoming future-based drama series See.[29][30]

In February 2019, Momoa was cast as Duncan Idaho in the upcoming Denis Villeneuve film Dune.[31][32]

In February 2020, Momoa appeared in a half time commercial for Rocket Mortgage for Superbowl 54. He also appeared in the teaser for "Scary Little Green Men" by Ozzy Osbourne from his album Ordinary Man.

Personal life[]

File:Jason Momoa by Gage Skidmore.jpg

Momoa in July 2017

Momoa began a relationship with actress Lisa Bonet in 2005.[33] Although it was previously believed that Momoa and Bonet married on November 15, 2007, the couple did not legally marry until October 2017.[34] Through his marriage to Bonet, Momoa is the stepfather to Zoë Kravitz. In July 2007, Bonet gave birth to their first child, a daughter Lola Momoa.[33] Their second child, a son Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, was born in December 2008.[35]

Momoa learned martial arts for his role as Ronon in Stargate Atlantis[36] and for Conan.[37] In 2017, Momoa started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[38][39] Momoa has also practiced proper screaming technique with Oli Peters, the vocalist of technical death metal band Archspire for a war cry scene in See.[40]

He has multiple tattoos. The most notable tattoo is a halfsleeve on his left forearm, which is a tribute to his family god, or “aumakua”.[41] He is a fan of heavy metal music[42] and has noted that he "build[s] [his] characters off of metal songs";[43] he has invited members of Archspire to appear in cameos in the first episode of See.[44]

Momoa is noted for having a close friendship with Emilia Clarke.[45][46][47]

Facial scar[]

On November 15, 2008, Momoa was slashed in the face with a broken beer glass by a man during an altercation at the Birds Cafe, a tavern in Hollywood, California.[48][49] He received approximately 140 stitches during reconstructive surgery and the scar is apparent in his later work.[48] The assailant was sentenced to five years in prison for the attack.[49]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Title Year Role Director Notes Ref(s)
Johnson Family Vacation 2004 Navarro Christopher Erskin
Pipeline 2007 Kai Jordan Alan
Conan the Barbarian 2011 Conan Marcus Nispel CinemaCon Award for Male Rising Star
Bullet to the Head 2012 Keegan Walter Hill
Road to Paloma 2014 Robert Wolf Himself Also director, producer and co-writer [11]
Debug Iam David Hewlett
Wolves Connor David Hayter
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 2016 Arthur Curry / Aquaman Zack Snyder Cameo [20]
Sugar Mountain Joe Bright Richard Gray [14]
Once Upon a Time in Venice 2017 Spyder Mark and Robb Cullen [50]
The Bad Batch Miami Man Ana Lily Amirpour [26]
Justice League Arthur Curry / Aquaman Zack Snyder
Braven 2018 Joe Braven Lin Oeding Also producer
Aquaman Arthur Curry / Aquaman James Wan Nominated - Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor
Nominated - Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Superhero
Nominated - MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (shared with Amber Heard)
Nominated - Teen Choice Award for Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actor
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part 2019 Aquaman Mike Mitchell Voice
Dune 2020 Duncan Idaho Denis Villeneuve Post-production
Sweet Girl TBA Cooper Brian Andrew Mendoza Post-production

Television[]

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Baywatch: Hawaii 1999–2001 Jason Ioane 38 episodes
Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding 2003 Television film
Tempted Kala
North Shore 2004–2005 Frankie Seau 21 episodes
Stargate Atlantis 2005–2009 Ronon Dex 73 episodes
The Game 2009 Roman 4 episodes
Game of Thrones 2011–2012 Khal Drogo 11 episodes
CinemaCon Award for Male Rising Star
Nominated – Scream Award for Best Ensemble
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
[51]
The Red Road 2014–2015 Phillip Kopus 12 episodes [16]
Drunk History Various roles 2 episodes
Frontier 2016–2018 Declan Harp 18 episodes; also executive producer
Nominated – Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Dramatic Role
[52]
Saturday Night Live 2018 Himself (host) Episode: "Jason Momoa/Mumford & Sons"
The Simpsons 2019 Himself (voice) Episode: “The Fat Blue Line
See 2019–present Baba Voss Main role [53]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ahmad, Sophia (February 19, 2010). "Interview with Norwalk's 'Conan' star Jason Momoa". Des Moines Register. Iowa. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Hawaii-born actor Jason Momoa's 'Aquaman' role parallels own upbringing". Star Advertiser. December 16, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  3. Lalor, Cadeem (August 9, 2018). "42 Imposing Facts About Jason Momoa". Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  4. Rampell, Ed (January 3, 2019). "'Aquaman': The life aquatic with Hawaiian Polynesian Power superhero Jason Momoa". Peoples World. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  5. Wagner, Curt (March 4, 2014). "Jason Momoa takes 'The Red Road'". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  6. Fleck, Chris (December 19, 2012). "Takeo Kobayashi". Midweek.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  7. ""Game of Thrones" Star Jason Momoa". KatieCouric.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  8. Kelly, Helen (May 5, 2016). "Game of Thrones: Jason Momoa is unrecognisable as young model before Khal Drogo role". Daily Express. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  9. "Game of Thrones' Jason Momoa Tells the Origin Story Behind His Viral Audition". Time.com. January 20, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  10. "Kapa Haka". maori.org.nz/. 1996. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Exclusive: Jason Momoa Talks CONAN; Reveals He's Writing and Directing ROAD TO PALOMA". Collider. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  12. "Jason Momoa's 'Road to Paloma' to Premiere at Sarasota Film Festival". Variety. March 12, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  13. Schwartz, Terri (February 26, 2014). "Jason Momoa landed 'The Red Road' thanks to his directorial debut 'Road to Paloma'". Blog.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Lesnick, Silas (March 12, 2014). "Cary Elwes and Jason Momoa to Climb Sugar Mountain". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  15. Ford, Rebecca (March 12, 2014). "Cary Elwes, Jason Momoa Join Indie 'Sugar Mountain'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  16. 16.0 16.1 "The Red Road Cancelled By SundanceTV After Two Seasons". Seriable.com. May 23, 2015. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  17. Sciretta, Peter (June 14, 2014). "Jason Momoa Is Aquaman in 'Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice'". /Film. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  18. McWeeny, Drew (June 14, 2014). "Jason Momoa Will Play Aquaman in 'Dawn of Justice', and We Know how It Will Happen". Hitfix. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  19. Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (June 16, 2014). "Jason Momoa to Play Aquaman in 'Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Dice, Andrew (October 15, 2014). "It's Official: Jason Momoa is 'Aquaman'; Solo Movie Coming 2018". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  21. "DC Comics Movies Announced: 'Suicide Squad,' 'Wonder Woman,' 'Justice League,' 'The Flash,' 'Aquaman'". Slashfilm. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  22. Kroll, Justin (June 3, 2015). "James Wan to Direct 'Aquaman' for Warner Bros". Variety. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  23. Hughes, William. "Jason Momoa's Aquaman will splash around in The Lego Movie 2". Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  24. Jones, Gareth (February 28, 2015). "UK Exclusive: Wolves Gag Reel Serves Up a Few Howlers". DreadCentral.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  25. Barton, Steve (February 6, 2015). "Jason Momoa Eats a Bad Batch of Human Flesh". DreadCentral.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Sneider, Jeff (February 6, 2015). "Jason Momoa in Talks to Star in Cannibal Love Story 'The Bad Batch' for Annapurna, Vice (Exclusive)". Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  27. McNary, Dave (March 7, 2017). "'Aquaman's' Jason Momoa to Star in 'Just Cause' Film Adaptation". Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  28. "Jason Momoa lands Just Cause movie lead". newshub.co.nz. August 3, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  29. Goldberg, Lesley (July 10, 2018). "Jason Momoa to Star in Apple Drama 'See'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  30. Otterson, Joe (July 10, 2018). "Jason Momoa to Star in Apple Sci-Fi Series 'See'". Variety. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  31. Fleming Jr, Mike (February 14, 2019). "'Aquaman's Jason Momoa Joins Killer Cast Of Denis Villenueve's 'Dune'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  32. Kroll, Justin (February 14, 2019). "Jason Momoa Joins Timothee Chalamet, Javier Bardem in 'Dune' Reboot". Variety. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Allin, Olivia (August 20, 2011). "Jason Momoa of 'Conan the Barbarian' talks about his horse fears". OnTheRedCarpet.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  34. "Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet Just Got Officially Married: Details on Their Secret Wedding". Us Weekly. November 2, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  35. "Lisa Bonet's New Baby's Name Is a Mouthful". Access Hollywood. January 9, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  36. "Jason Momoa on Martial Arts". August 14, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  37. "Jason Momoa Biography". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  38. "Jason Momoa Trains Jiu-Jitsu". BJJEE. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  39. "Jason Momoa's Instagram post". Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  40. "Jason Momoa Trained with Archspire Vocalist to Learn War Cry for 'See'". Revolver. November 19, 2019.
  41. Friedman, Megan (July 23, 2018). "Are Jason Momoa's 'Aquaman' Tattoos Actually Real?". Men's Health. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  42. "Actor Jason Momoa Hung Out with Slayer and Anthrax". MetalSucks. June 13, 2019.
  43. "Jason Momoa Drew Inspiration for Playing Aquaman from Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Tool | MetalSucks". December 11, 2018 – via www.metalsucks.net.
  44. "Jason Momoa Recruits Archspire Members for New Apple TV+ Show | MetalSucks". November 2, 2019 – via www.metalsucks.net.
  45. "Emilia Clark's Birthday Post For Jason Momoa Will Make You Cherish Their Friendship More". Elite Daily. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  46. October 29, Julie Scagell; 2019 (October 29, 2019), Jason Momoa And Emilia Clarke's Genuine Friendship Is The Content We Need RN, retrieved March 20, 2020CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. "15 Sweet Things To Know About Jason Momoa And Emilia Clarke's Friendship". TheThings. February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  48. 48.0 48.1 "Man Pleads Not Guilty To Assaulting "Stargate Atlantis" Actor". KNBC. July 17, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  49. 49.0 49.1 Winton, Richard (October 7, 2009). "Five-year sentence for man who attacked 'Stargate Atlantis' actor Jason Momoa". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  50. Kit, Borys (June 16, 2015). "Jason Momoa, Thomas Middleditch and Famke Janssen Join Bruce Willis in Action Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  51. "Game of Thrones: Cast". HBO. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  52. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (November 16, 2015). "Jason Momoa to Star in Netflix Adventure Drama 'Frontier' from 'San Andreas' Director". Variety. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  53. Andreeva, Nellie (July 10, 2018). "Jason Momoa To Star In Apple Series 'See' From Steven Knight & Francis Lawrence". Deadline. Retrieved February 23, 2019.

External links[]

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