Viggo Mortensen

Background

Viggo Mortensen was born Viggo Peter Mortensen Jr. on October 20, 1958, in Watertown, New York, to an American mother and a Danish father. His parents divorced when he was 11. He lived in Venezuela, Denmark, and Argentina before moving back to America with his mother. He attended Watertown High School and St. Lawrence University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish studies and politics in 1980. Before returning to the States to pursue a career in acting, he worked odd jobs in England, Spain, and Denmark.

Mortensen’s first movie appearance was a minor role in the thriller, “Witness” (1985). He appeared in supporting roles throughout the 90s in noteworthy movies such as “The Indian Runner” (1991); “Crimson Tide” (1995); “A Perfect Murder” (1998); and “28 Days” (2000). In 1999, his role as “Aragorn” gave him international acclaim, and he went on to star in all three parts of Peter Jackson’s epic fantasy adventure trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings.” He is the recipient of several acting awards and multiple nominations, including three Academy Award nominations for ‘Best Actor.’

Mortensen was married to singer Exene Cervenka, and they have a son, Henry. Since 2009, he has been in a relationship with Spanish actress, Ariadna Gil. He owns Perceval Press, a publishing house specializing in poetry, art, and critical writing. He has also co-authored publications about the ethnography of South American natives. He writes his poems in Danish, English, and Spanish, and his discography consists of 21 collaborative tracks. Being a sports enthusiast, he is an avid football, ice hockey, and baseball fan. As a member of the Catalan N.G.O., Omnium Cultural, he participated in the protest against the inclusion of Tel Aviv at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2009.