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© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
He is multilingual
- He speaks seven languages fluently, including English, Spanish, Danish, and French, while also having a decent understanding of Italian, Norwegian, and Swedish.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
He's from New York City
- 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.'
© NL Beeld
2 / 31 Fotos
Danish
- He acquired his distinctive name from his Danish father. His mother was American.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Spanish
- When Mortensen was young, his family lived in Venezuela and Argentina, which is why he is fluent in Spanish.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Norwegian
- His parents had actually met in Norway and later moved to the US, where he was born.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Swedish
- According to reports, Mortensen served as a translator for Sweden's hockey team during the 1980 Winter Olympics.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Painter
- His renowned works include 'Forget Time,' 'Mother memory,' and 'After Darkly Noon.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Poet
- After completing his studies, Mortensen relocated to Denmark where he began crafting poetry in Danish, ultimately publishing numerous poetry collections.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Musician
- 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.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Author
- Mortensen has written stories and screenplays, in addition to his poetry.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Photographer
- 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.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Publisher
- He owns Perceval Press, a publishing company that focuses on books of art, critical writing, and poetry.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Sports enthusiast
- Mortensen has proven himself to be a big fan of Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, an Argentine soccer team located in Buenos Aires.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Sports enthusiast
- You can trace his entire red carpet career solely using photos where he's carrying or sporting the logo of the club.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Enthusiastic sports
- He is also recognized for wearing Montreal Canadiens hockey merch.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
He's quite innovative
- Few actors possess such versatility when it comes to facial hair.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
A multi-talented man
- 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.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
A sweetheart
- 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.
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
He found love on set
- 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.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
And for a decade he has been living a new love story
- 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.'
© Getty Images
20 / 31 Fotos
He's a skilled horserider
- 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.
© NL Beeld
21 / 31 Fotos
He's a skilled horse rider
- He's such a horse lover that he purchased the horses he rode in 'The Lord of the Rings' movies and the film 'Hidalgo.'
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
He turned down 'The Lord of the Rings'
- Initially, Mortensen declined a part in the renowned franchise because he wanted to spend more time with his son, Henry.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
His son made him rethink his decision
- Henry had expressed his admiration for the books, specifically mentioning that Aragorn's character becomes king, and encouraged Mortensen to reassess his decision.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Committed to his art
- 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!
© NL Beeld
25 / 31 Fotos
Committed to his art
- 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.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
'Green Book'
- 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.
© Getty Images
27 / 31 Fotos
Starting as a director
- 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.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
First movie
- 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.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Does he look like a lone sibling?
- He actually has two younger siblings, who are both geologists. See also: Celebrity siblings that fame forgot
© Getty Images
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
He is multilingual
- He speaks seven languages fluently, including English, Spanish, Danish, and French, while also having a decent understanding of Italian, Norwegian, and Swedish.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
He's from New York City
- 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.'
© NL Beeld
2 / 31 Fotos
Danish
- He acquired his distinctive name from his Danish father. His mother was American.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Spanish
- When Mortensen was young, his family lived in Venezuela and Argentina, which is why he is fluent in Spanish.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Norwegian
- His parents had actually met in Norway and later moved to the US, where he was born.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Swedish
- According to reports, Mortensen served as a translator for Sweden's hockey team during the 1980 Winter Olympics.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Painter
- His renowned works include 'Forget Time,' 'Mother memory,' and 'After Darkly Noon.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Poet
- After completing his studies, Mortensen relocated to Denmark where he began crafting poetry in Danish, ultimately publishing numerous poetry collections.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Musician
- 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.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Author
- Mortensen has written stories and screenplays, in addition to his poetry.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Photographer
- 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.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Publisher
- He owns Perceval Press, a publishing company that focuses on books of art, critical writing, and poetry.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Sports enthusiast
- Mortensen has proven himself to be a big fan of Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, an Argentine soccer team located in Buenos Aires.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Sports enthusiast
- You can trace his entire red carpet career solely using photos where he's carrying or sporting the logo of the club.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Enthusiastic sports
- He is also recognized for wearing Montreal Canadiens hockey merch.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
He's quite innovative
- Few actors possess such versatility when it comes to facial hair.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
A multi-talented man
- 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.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
A sweetheart
- 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.
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
He found love on set
- 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.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
And for a decade he has been living a new love story
- 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.'
© Getty Images
20 / 31 Fotos
He's a skilled horserider
- 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.
© NL Beeld
21 / 31 Fotos
He's a skilled horse rider
- He's such a horse lover that he purchased the horses he rode in 'The Lord of the Rings' movies and the film 'Hidalgo.'
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
He turned down 'The Lord of the Rings'
- Initially, Mortensen declined a part in the renowned franchise because he wanted to spend more time with his son, Henry.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
His son made him rethink his decision
- Henry had expressed his admiration for the books, specifically mentioning that Aragorn's character becomes king, and encouraged Mortensen to reassess his decision.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Committed to his art
- 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!
© NL Beeld
25 / 31 Fotos
Committed to his art
- 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.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
'Green Book'
- 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.
© Getty Images
27 / 31 Fotos
Starting as a director
- 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.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
First movie
- 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.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Does he look like a lone sibling?
- He actually has two younger siblings, who are both geologists. See also: Celebrity siblings that fame forgot
© Getty Images
30 / 31 Fotos
The intriguing untold story of Viggo Mortensen
Mortensen is a true Renaissance man
© Getty Images
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.
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