Jason Momoa, born Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa on August 1, 1979, is an American actor, model, and producer who has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry with his rugged charm and versatile acting skills. From his early days as a model to his breakout roles in television and film, Momoa has consistently demonstrated his ability to adapt and excel in various genres.
Birth
August 1, 1979
Jason Momoa was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Coni (née Lemke), a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter. His father is Native Hawaiian, while his mother is of German, Irish, and Pawnee ancestry.
Move to Iowa
Early 1980s
Shortly after his birth, Momoa's parents divorced, and he moved to Norwalk, Iowa, with his mother, where he was raised and attended Norwalk High School.
Modeling Career and Baywatch Hawaii
1999
Momoa began his modeling career and was discovered by Takeo Kobayashi, an international fashion designer. He won Hawaii's Model of the Year and walked the runway for Louis Vuitton at the Governor's Fashion Show. He also landed a role on Baywatch Hawaii as Jason Ioane, a part he played for a couple of seasons.
North Shore and Stargate: Atlantis
2004-2005
Momoa appeared in the Fox drama North Shore as Frankie and began his long-running role as Ronon Dex on the Syfy science fiction series Stargate: Atlantis, for which he learned martial arts.
Game of Thrones and Conan the Barbarian
2011
Momoa gained notoriety for his role as Khal Drogo on HBO's Game of Thrones and starred as the title character in the reimagining of Conan the Barbarian, a role made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Road to Paloma
2014
Momoa directed and co-wrote Road to Paloma, an American drama thriller film, which premiered at the 2014 Sarasota Film Festival and had a limited theatrical release.
Frontier and DC Extended Universe
2016-2018
Momoa starred in the Discovery Channel historical drama series Frontier and began his role as Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe films, solidifying his A-list status.
Dune
2021
Momoa played Duncan Idaho in the science fiction film Dune, further expanding his filmography in the sci-fi genre.
Fast X
2023
Momoa starred in the action film Fast X, continuing his career in high-profile action films.
