Jason Momoa

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Jason Momoa

Momoa at the New York Comic Con & Anime Festival, October 16, 2011
Born Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa
(1979-08-01) August 1, 1979
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Occupation Actor, model
Years active 1998-present
Spouse(s) Lisa Bonet (2007–present)[1]
Children 2
Website
JasonMomoa.com

Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa (born August 1, 1979) is an American actor and model. He is known for his television roles as Ronon Dex (2005–09) on the military science fiction television series Stargate: Atlantis (2004–09) and as Khal Drogo in the HBO medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones (2011). He also starred as the title character in the sword and sorcery film Conan the Barbarian (2011).[2]

Early life and education

An only child, Momoa was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Coni, a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter.[3] He was raised in Norwalk, Iowa, by his mother.[4] His father is of Native Hawaiian descent, while his mother is of German, Irish, and Native American ancestry.[5]

Career

In 1998, Momoa returned to Hawaii, where he was discovered by international designer Takeo Kikuchi and launched his modeling career. In 1999, he won Hawaii's Model of the Year and hosted the Miss Teen Hawaii contest.

In addition to his appearances in Stargate: Atlantis, and Game of Thrones, Momoa has appeared as Jason Ioane (1999–2001) in the action drama series Baywatch Hawaii (1999–2001). He then portrayed the title protagonist in Conan the Barbarian, a reimagining of the 1982 film of the same name and a role made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

After the shooting of Stargate Atlantis Season 4 was over, Momoa had his dreadlocks cut off. Their weight had been giving him headaches, and even whiplash when filming action scenes. The program agreed with the decision and had planned to film a scene where Ronon cuts off his hair for Season 5's "Broken Ties", but that change was ultimately overruled by the Sci Fi network. On the first day of filming for Season 5, his dreadlocks were reattached, but the process was too taxing, forcing Momoa to switch to using his stunt double's wig until a custom wig could be made and delivered two weeks later.[6][7] Ironically, when he was first cast for the role, the producers asked him to cut off the dreadlocks, but they became a trademark of his character, so the producers allowed Momoa to keep them.

Momoa appeared as Roman in four episodes of the comedy-drama television series The Game (2011).[citation needed]

Personal life

He is the nephew of surfers Brian Keaulana and Rusty Keaulana.[8]

He met actress Lisa Bonet in 2005. On July 23, 2007, Bonet[1] gave birth to their daughter, Lola Iolani Momoa. On December 15, 2008, Bonet and Momoa had a son, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa. The birth was first announced by Momoa's mother on the fan forums of his official site. She said that Nakoa means "warrior" and Mana stands for “strength/spirit,” while Kaua ("rain") and Po ("dark") pertain to the circumstances surrounding his birthday (he was born on a rare bad-weather night in Los Angeles). He shares his other middle name, Namakaeha, with his father.[9]

On November 15, 2008, Momoa was slashed in the face with a broken beer glass at the Birds Cafe, a Hollywood, California, club.[10][11] He received around 140 stitches during reconstructive surgery, and his scars are apparent in his later work.[10]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1999–2001 Baywatch Hawaii Jason Ioane
2003 Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding Jason Ioane
2003 Tempted Kala
2004 Johnson Family Vacation Navarro
2004–2005 North Shore Frankie Seau
2005–2009 Stargate Atlantis Ronon Dex 73 episodes
2009 Game, TheThe Game Roman [citation needed]
2011 Conan the Barbarian Conan ShoWest Award for Male Rising Star of 2011 (also for Game of Thrones)
2011–2012 Game of Thrones Khal Drogo 10 episodes
ShoWest Award for Male Rising Star of 2011 (also for Conan the Barbarian)
Nominated - Scream Award for Best Ensemble
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2013 Bullet to the Head Keegan
2013 Road to Paloma Robert Wolf Also director
2013 Wolves Conner Post-production

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jason Momoa of 'Conan the Barbarian' talks about his horse fears, August 20, 2011, Olivia Allin, OnTheRedCarpet.com
  2. ↑ McNary, David (January 21, 2010). "Momoa Set for 'Conan' – New Barbarian Set for Franchise Reboot". Variety. Retrieved August 18, 2011. 
  3. ↑ http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/02/19/interview-with-norwalk-conan-star-jason-momoa
  4. ↑ Jason Momoa's short Biography on TVguide
  5. ↑ Staff (July 19, 2004). "Momoa Makes Hawaii Hot". Extra. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  6. ↑ Sumner, Darren (May 26, 2008). "Momoa: The Dreads Stay Put". Gateworld. Retrieved August 18, 2011. 
  7. ↑ Sumner, Darren (February 23, 2008). "New Plot Details on 'Broken Ties'". Gateworld. Retrieved August 18, 2011. 
  8. ↑ Ryan, Tim (May 11, 1999). "On Baywatch Duty".Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  9. ↑ Staff (January 9, 2009). "Lisa Bonet's New Baby's Name Is a Mouthful – Newborn Boy's Name Is Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa". Access Hollywood (via MSNBC). Retrieved August 18, 2011. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Staff (January 26, 2009). "Man Pleads Not Guilty To Assaulting 'Stargate Atlantis' Actor". KNBC. Retrieved August 18, 2011. 
  11. ↑ Winton, Richard Los Angeles Times October 7, 2009

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