He’s one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors since the astounding success of Aquaman.
But Jason Momoa has revealed that things weren’t always so rosy for the 41-year-old and his family, even after his breakout success on HBO’s biggest TV hit.
‘I mean, we were starving after Game of Thrones,’ the See actor told InStyle on Tuesday.
On the up: Jason Momoa is one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors since the astounding success of Aquaman
Momoa is married to Lisa Bonet, 52, and the couple share daughter Lola Iolani, 13, and son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha, 11.
But things looked bleak for the family-of-four after Jason’s GoT character Khal Drogo was killed off in 2011, before the fantasy series became a bona fide hit for the cable network.
‘I couldn’t get work. It’s very challenging when you have babies and you’re completely in debt,’ admitted Jason.
His own man: During his chat with InStyle, the Hawaiian star also spoke about his idiosyncratic style, including his fondness for one particular color
Bold choices: ‘Pink is just a beautiful color,’ said the actor of his affinity for pink scrunchies. ‘And I’m pretty secure in my masculinity. I don’t really give a s**t what anyone thinks’
Game of Thrones: The star revealed that things weren’t always so rosy for the 41-year-old and his family, even after his breakout success on HBO’s biggest TV hit
Momoa’s next lead role came in his own movie, Road to Paloma, which was written and directed by the star in 2014.
Then, after starring in short-lived TV series The Red Road, the father-of-two’s biggest break came when he was cast in the highly sought-after role of Arthur Curry in Aquaman.
The DC superhero film grossed over $1.1billion at the worldwide box office, making Momoa one of the hottest actors working today.
He’ll next be seen in the Denis Villeneuve film Dune, with an Aquaman sequel expected in 2022.
Cool stepdad: He also discussed his matching tattoo with stepdaughter Zoe Kravitz (the daughter of Bonet and her ex Lenny Kravitz), saying, ‘Basically it means, “Always be drunken”‘
The look: Momoa draped himself in plenty of his favorite color for the photo shoot with InStyle
During his chat with InStyle, the Hawaiian star also spoke about his idiosyncratic style, including his fondness for one particular color.
‘Pink is just a beautiful color,’ said the actor. ‘And I’m pretty secure in my masculinity. I don’t really give a s**t what anyone thinks.’
He also discussed his matching tattoo with stepdaughter Zoe Kravitz (the daughter of Bonet and her ex Lenny Kravitz), saying, ‘Basically it means, “Always be drunken.”‘
‘You know, just intoxicated with life. Not necessarily drunk.’
Family man: Momoa is married to Lisa Bonet, 52, and the couple share daughter Lola Iolani, 13, and son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha, 11. The family seen here with Jason’s mother Coni
Elsewhere in the interview, the actor spoke candidly about receiving therapy.
‘I’m amping myself up all day long, and then my nervous system doesn’t know that I’m not lopping people’s heads off,’ he says, adding: ‘For me to relax and sit still is next to impossible.’
He also talks about his relationship with his 12-year-old son, Wolf, saying: ‘I didn’t know what it takes to be a dad.’
‘And I don’t want to just tell my son, “Because I said so.” I really want to connect, and I want him to be vulnerable and open.’
Hungry no more: ‘I mean, we were starving after Game of Thrones,’ the See actor told InStyle on Tuesday. Seen here in 2016 mega-hit Aquaman
Momoa can next be seen in the rebooted sci-fi epic Dune, and the actor told InStyle his excitement over seeing the first trailer.
‘It was ‘Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem,’ and I’m just like, “Oh my god. I can’t believe my name was with those names.” I feel like I’m still a kid, freaking out.’
‘It’s not alien versus alien – it’s about conflicts between human tribes,’ he adds. ‘And greed. It really hits home right now.’