Most audiences first saw Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa in his brief but memorable role as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, but the Honolulu-born actor has been a fixture in Hollywood for more than two decades.
While Momoa's chiseled physique and acting chops have made him one of Hollywood's most sought-after stars, it's quite possible that his acting is actually the least interesting thing about him. Let's have a look at just a few of the reasons that Jason Momoa is such a fascinating individual.
Momoa's distinctive facial scar certainly adds to the rugged character of his face and works well with the roles he plays, but its origin story is downright terrifying.
Back in 2008, Momoa was at a bar in Hollywood when he was attacked with a broken beer glass. The assailant raked Momoa's face with the glass, causing a nasty scar and necessitating about 140 stitches as well as reconstructive surgery. The man who attacked Momoa was sent to prison for five years.
With the benefit of hindsight, it's hard to imagine anyone except for Momoa playing Khal Drogo, but back when he auditioned, he was relatively unknown in the industry. No one knew quite how successful the actor or Game of Thrones would be.
To make an impression at his audition, Momoa performed a traditional Maori haka ritual. This is the intimidating dance you'll see the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team perform before matches. His gambit clearly paid off as he was selected for the role.
Momoa and his wife, actress Lisa Bonet, split up in early 2022 after 17 years. The couple has two kids together, a son and a daughter, but Bonet also has a daughter, Zoë, with ex Lenny Kravitz.
Despite the fact that Zoë was already a teenager by the time Momoa came on the scene, he's been a devoted stepdad to her. Anyone who follows Momoa on Instagram can attest to the love he regularly shows for his stepdaughter.
Momoa is best known as an actor, but his career in Hollywood has given him the financial security needed to engage in other hobbies. He's a huge heavy metal fan and says he's based characters off of certain songs. He can also play a few instruments, including the guitar, mandolin and ukulele.
Let us know what you love most about Jason Momoa in the comments section!
