Jason Momoa

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16 Feb 2024

Jason Momoa

Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa, born on August 1, 1979, is an American actor known for his diverse roles across television and film. His journey in the entertainment industry began with his acting debut as Jason Ioane on the syndicated action drama series Baywatch: Hawaii (1999–2001). Following this, he portrayed Ronon Dex on the Syfy science fiction series Stargate Atlantis (2005–2009) and gained widespread recognition for his role as Khal Drogo in the first two seasons of the HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones (2011–2012).

Momoa expanded his repertoire by taking on lead roles in various series, including the Discovery Channel historical drama series Frontier (2016–2018) and the Apple TV+ science fiction series See (2019–2022). Notably, from 2016 to 2023, he assumed the iconic role of Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), starring in the solo feature Aquaman (2018) and reprising the character in its sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).

Beyond his involvement in the DCEU, Momoa has showcased his acting prowess in different genres. He played Duncan Idaho in the science fiction film Dune (2021) and took on a leading role in the action film Fast X (2023). With his dynamic performances, Momoa has solidified his presence as a versatile and accomplished actor in the entertainment industry.

Jason Momoa, an only child, was born on August 1, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Coni (Lemke), a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter. His father belongs to the Native Hawaiian heritage, while his mother has a diverse background, including German, Irish, and Pawnee ancestry. Shortly after his birth, his parents divorced, leading Momoa and his mother to relocate to Norwalk, Iowa, where he was raised.

Growing up in Iowa, Momoa graduated from Norwalk High School, where he was actively involved in the soccer team, sharing the field with fellow actor Brandon Routh. Following high school, he pursued higher education at the University of Hawaii.

This early phase of Momoa's life reflects the diverse cultural influences and experiences that have shaped his background and contributed to his unique identity.

At the age of 19, Jason Momoa, while living and working in Honolulu, made a pivotal decision to audition for the television series Baywatch Hawaii. Successfully securing the role of Jason Ioane, he became a part of the main cast from 1999 to 2001. Momoa's career continued to flourish as he joined the main cast of the 2004-2005 Fox drama North Shore, playing the character Frankie.

His versatility was evident as he took on roles in Johnson Family Vacation (2004) and Stargate: Atlantis (2005–2009). In 2009, Momoa was cast as Roman in four episodes of the comedy-drama television series The Game. The following year, he portrayed the title character in Conan the Barbarian (2011), a reimagining of the 1982 film of the same name, famously associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

One of the most significant milestones in Momoa's career came with his role as Khal Drogo on HBO's Game of Thrones (2011–2012). His audition for the part involved performing a Haka, a powerful Māori dance traditionally used to convey challenges or welcomes.

Expanding his creative contributions, Momoa ventured into directing and co-wrote the American drama thriller film, Road to Paloma (2014). The film, featuring Momoa, Sarah Shahi, Lisa Bonet, Michael Raymond-James, and Wes Studi, premiered at the 2014 Sarasota Film Festival and had a limited theatrical release in 2014.

This period in Momoa's career showcases his multifaceted talents, from acting in diverse roles to exploring his skills behind the camera as a director and writer.

March 2014 marked Jason Momoa's involvement in the dark comedy/thriller indie Sugar Mountain, where he starred alongside Cary Elwes and Haley Webb, with principal photography taking place in Alaska. Following this, he played the role of Phillip Kopus, a Ramapough Mountain Indian, on the SundanceTV drama series The Red Road (2014–2015).

In June 2014, news surfaced that Momoa had been cast as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, following his audition for Bruce Wayne / Batman. He made his debut as Aquaman in a cameo appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Subsequently, he played the character in the ensemble film Justice League (2017) and its director's cut Zack Snyder's Justice League. Momoa's standalone Aquaman film was released in late 2018, and he reprised the role in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.

Expanding his filmography, in August 2014, Momoa portrayed Connor in the Canadian horror action film Wolves and starred in the Sci-fi horror movie Debug, directed by his former Stargate Atlantis co-star David Hewlett. In 2015, he was cast in the drama thriller film The Bad Batch, playing a cannibal character. Momoa also appeared in the Canadian action film Braven, released in 2018.

In March 2017, Momoa's involvement in the official Just Cause film series was announced, where he played the character Rico Rodriguez. Between 2016 and 2018, he portrayed Declan Harp in all three seasons of the Canadian historical drama television series Frontier and served as an executive producer on the show. In July 2018, Momoa joined the cast of Apple's post-apocalyptic drama series See.

His film journey continued as he was cast as Duncan Idaho in Denis Villeneuve's Dune, announced in February 2019. In February 2020, Momoa appeared in a halftime commercial for Rocket Mortgage during Super Bowl LIV and featured in the teaser for "Scary Little Green Men" by Ozzy Osbourne. In January 2022, it was revealed that he had joined the cast of the tenth Fast & Furious film titled Fast X, playing the main villain, Dante Reyes.

Jason Momoa's romantic journey includes a six-year relationship with actress Simmone Jade Mackinnon, whom he met on the set of Baywatch in 1999. They became engaged in 2004 but called off their engagement when Momoa started a relationship with actress Lisa Bonet in 2005. Despite previous beliefs, Momoa and Bonet did not marry until October 2017.

They share two children, daughter Lola Iolani (born July 2007) and son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha (born December 2008). However, in January 2022, Momoa and Bonet announced their separation, and in January 2024, Bonet filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Momoa is not only known for his acting skills but also for his physical prowess. He learned martial arts for his role as Ronon in Stargate Atlantis and started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2017. An avid fan of heavy metal music, Momoa incorporates metal songs into building his characters. He even invited members of the band Archspire for cameo appearances in the TV series See and practiced proper screaming technique with the band's vocalist, Oli Peters, for a significant scene in the series. Additionally, Momoa has showcased his musical talents, playing bass guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and guitar in his spare time.

His teenage years were marked by rock climbing and bouldering, introduced by his mother during a visit to Sylvan Lake in the Needles of South Dakota. Momoa proudly displays numerous tattoos, including a half-sleeve on his left forearm paying tribute to his family god or "aumakua."

Beyond his personal life, Momoa actively participated in protests against the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea, a site sacred to native Hawaiians. In a notable incident on November 15, 2008, Momoa was involved in an altercation at the Birds Cafe in Hollywood, California, where he was slashed across the face with a broken beer glass. He underwent reconstructive surgery, receiving approximately 140 stitches, and the scar is visible in his later work. The assailant was sentenced to five years in prison for the attack.