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Most people are familiar with Viggo Mortensen thanks to his two most prominent roles: his iconic portrayal of Aragorn in the highly rewatchable 'Lord of the Rings' franchise, and his lead performance in the Oscar-winning film 'Green Book.' However, within the span of his career lies a dense, mysterious fog, where many untold stories lurk.
He may have a successful career and an Oscar on his shelf, but Mortensen is much more than an actor (although his on-screen talent is certainly impressive enough to stand on its own). The star boasts a diverse range of other skills and professions, intriguing quirks, and enough stories to fill multiple novels.
Click ahead to explore the multifaceted aspects of this artist and see him in a whole new light.
He speaks seven languages fluently, including English, Spanish, Danish, and French, while also having a decent understanding of Italian, Norwegian, and Swedish.
While Mortensen effectively portrayed Aragorn with a convincing accent, he was actually born in Manhattan. This connection to Brooklyn may have played a role in influencing his impressive performance in 'Green Book.'
He acquired his distinctive name from his Danish father. His mother was American.
When Mortensen was young, his family lived in Venezuela and Argentina, which is why he is fluent in Spanish.
His parents had actually met in Norway and later moved to the US, where he was born.
According to reports, Mortensen served as a translator for Sweden's hockey team during the 1980 Winter Olympics.
His renowned works include 'Forget Time,' 'Mother memory,' and 'After Darkly Noon.
After completing his studies, Mortensen relocated to Denmark where he began crafting poetry in Danish, ultimately publishing numerous poetry collections.
He has worked together with the guitarist Buckethead on multiple albums, particularly 'Pandemoniumfromamerica,' in which his son Henry and his fellow 'Lord of the Rings' actors Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan also appeared.
Mortensen has written stories and screenplays, in addition to his poetry.
He has published numerous books of photography, which feature a wide range of topics such as horses and backyard pools. They often include some of his poems.
He owns Perceval Press, a publishing company that focuses on books of art, critical writing, and poetry.
Mortensen has proven himself to be a big fan of Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, an Argentine soccer team located in Buenos Aires.
You can trace his entire red carpet career solely using photos where he's carrying or sporting the logo of the club.
He is also recognized for wearing Montreal Canadiens hockey merch.
Few actors possess such versatility when it comes to facial hair.
According to reports, during a visit to Denmark in 2003, he was present at multiple events: the premiere of 'The Lord of the Rings,' an art exhibition opening, and a book signing.
He returned to New York from Denmark for love in 1982, which unfortunately didn't last. Nevertheless, he found himself back in the right place for acting auditions.
Mortensen formed a connection with Exene Cervenka, the lead vocalist of punk group X, during the filming of 'Have You Said Your Prayers Today?' They subsequently married and had a son.
Mortensen has been in a relationship with Spanish actress Ariadna Gil since 2009. Gil is well-known for her portrayal of Carmen in the movie 'Pan's Labyrinth.'
According to reports, he allegedly asked for his horses from 'The Lord of the Rings' films to be kept nearby so he could ride them during his free time. As you might have guessed, he did his own stunts in the movies.
He's such a horse lover that he purchased the horses he rode in 'The Lord of the Rings' movies and the film 'Hidalgo.'
Initially, Mortensen declined a part in the renowned franchise because he wanted to spend more time with his son, Henry.
Henry had expressed his admiration for the books, specifically mentioning that Aragorn's character becomes king, and encouraged Mortensen to reassess his decision.
During the making of 'The Two Towers' (2002), there's a scene where Aragorn expresses his frustration by kicking a helmet, and Viggo Mortensen lets out an unscripted roar. This was because he kicked it so hard that he broke his toe!
According to reports, director Peter Jackson called Mortensen by his character's name, Aragorn, for over 30 minutes without him realizing it due to his deep dedication to the role.
Director Peter Farrelly expressed gratitude towards Mortensen when the film won the Best Picture award at the Oscars, acknowledging his crucial role in bringing the film to life.
In 2020, Mortensen wrote, directed, and took on a leading role in 'Falling,' a film portraying a conservative father who departs his rural farm to reside with his gay son in LA.
The project is a deeply personal tale according to Mortensen, who revealed that it stemmed from his grief over his mother's passing and his father's illness.
He actually has two younger siblings, who are both geologists.
See also: Celebrity siblings that fame forgot
The intriguing untold story of Viggo Mortensen
Mortensen is a true Renaissance man
CELEBRITY Actors
Most people are familiar with Viggo Mortensen thanks to his two most prominent roles: his iconic portrayal of Aragorn in the highly rewatchable 'Lord of the Rings' franchise, and his lead performance in the Oscar-winning film 'Green Book.' However, within the span of his career lies a dense, mysterious fog, where many untold stories lurk.
He may have a successful career and an Oscar on his shelf, but Mortensen is much more than an actor (although his on-screen talent is certainly impressive enough to stand on its own). The star boasts a diverse range of other skills and professions, intriguing quirks, and enough stories to fill multiple novels.
Click ahead to explore the multifaceted aspects of this artist and see him in a whole new light.