Jason Momoa thrilled to ‘beat all the Hemsworth’s’ as GQ Australia’s Man of the Year
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Jason Momoa rose to prominence after playing Khal Drogo in the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones.†His other memorable performances include “Stargate Atlantis†(2004-09), “Justice League†(2017), “Frontier†(2016-18) and “Aquaman” (2018). Here are some interesting facts about him.
Born on Aug. 1, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., Momoa’s father is a Native Hawaiian painter, while his mother – a photographer by profession – has both European and Native American roots. Although he was raised by his mother in Iowa, U.S., he returned to Hawaii in his 20s to reconnect with his father.
Momoa graduated school when he was 16. Before he moved to Hawaii, Momoa was majoring in marine biology in Iowa but then took up wildlife biology at Colorado State University.
The actor took up modeling after reportedly being discovered by designer Takeo Kobayashi in 1998. He went on to win Hawaii’s Model of the Year award the following year.
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He began his acting career with a recurring role on the hit TV show “Baywatch†(1999-2001); he played the role of Jason Ioane.
Momoa’s audition for “Game of Thrones†(2011-12) saw him perform the Haka, a ceremonial war cry and dance that is performed by the MÄori people of New Zealand.
He was offered the lead in “Conan the Barbarian†(2011) after the casting director saw him auditioning for the part of the Dothraki warlord in “Game of Thrones.â€
Momoa got the scar on his eyebrow during a bar fight. Speaking to Access Online, he said, “It was crazy. A guy smashed a pint glass in my face. I got a little over 140 stitches in my face. It helped get those mean roles. It [hair] just doesn’t grow there anymore.â€
Momoa married Lisa Bonet in 2017, after being together for over a decade. On “The Late Late Show,†he revealed, “Ever since I was eight years old and I saw her on TV, I was like, ‘Mommy, I want that one!’ I’m like, ‘I’m going to stalk you for the rest of my life and I’m going to get you.’ I am a full-fledged stalker. I didn’t tell her that until we had two babies – otherwise, I’d be creepy and weird. I’ve always wanted to meet her. She was a queen, always.â€
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The tattoo on his left forearm – nine rows of triangles – is a tribute to his family god. The triangles represent shark teeth.
To portray Khal Drogo on “Game of Thrones,†he put on weight by consuming Guinness and pizza.
In 2015, he created a social media campaign to protect Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain in Hawaii. He was supported by Nicole Scherzinger, Ian Somerhalder, Suki Waterhouse, Emilia Clarke and his stepdaughter, Zoë Kravitz.
Founded in 2010, his production company is called Pride of Gypsies. It has since produced advertisements for clothing brand Carhatt and the film “Road to Paloma†(2014), which he starred in, co-wrote and directed.
Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, created its first sour – Mano Brew – in 2016, especially for Momoa. A big fan of Guinness, the actor gushed about the beer on Instagram, writing: “@guinnessus the open gate brewery In Dublin. Just brewed the first ever. MOMOA brew. The Mano. The first sour. From @Guinness. Come down and try. I’m officially blown away love u.”
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Momoa went to high school with “Superman Returns†(2006) actor Brandon Routh in Norwalk, Iowa, U.S. Routh confirmed that the two were part of the Norwalk Boys Soccer team.
He is a skilled rock climber, skateboarder and surfer, and hails from a family of legendary surfers from his father’s side.
Before he became Aquaman, Momoa auditioned for an unknown role in “Guardians of the Galaxy†with Chris Pratt (2nd L).
The star has said that he feels “connected†to New Zealand. He has also supported the country at rugby games.
(Pictured) With players of New Zealand rugby team after their match in Vancouver, Canada, on March 10, 2019.
18/18 SLIDES
Jason Momoa is “stoked” to have beat out the competition – including movie star brothers Liam and Chris Hemsworth – to be named GQ Australia’s Man of the Year.
The 40-year-old Aquaman actor features on the cover of the publication’s latest issue, which hits newsstands on 2 December, and jokingly confessed he feels “deserving” of the accolade.
“Never in a million years did I think I would be the 2019 GQ Man of the Year. I’m really stoked that I got to beat all the Hemsworth’s because…you know…I finally deserve this,†Jason shared. “Also Australia, you know I love you. I hope I get to come down there for Aquaman 2 and thank you very much for this. Yeah, mate!â€
Reflecting on his 2019, Momoa listed the impressive array of film and TV projects he’s worked on, but called his activism and efforts to “spread awareness about climate change” his “personal highlight”.
The star explained: “A really cool personal highlight I want to continue has been the activism I’ve been getting involved with environmentally, to spread awareness about climate change.
“Then obviously I’ve done some cool artistic pieces, like See, and the film Dune with two of my favourite directors Francis Lawrence and Denis Villeneuve. It’s been unbelievable.â€
Back in September, Jason spoke up for “all island nations” and urged world leaders to step up their climate crisis efforts during a stern United Nations address.