• Faith: Buddhist
• Career: Actor
• Birthday:  August 01, 1979

Jason Momoa is an American actor, producer, director, and model best known for playing rugged, larger-than-life characters in hit television series and blockbuster films. Rising to fame through roles in Baywatch Hawaii, Stargate Atlantis, and Game of Thrones, Momoa later became an international star as Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe. Known for his imposing physical presence, long hair, and adventurous personality, he has also earned attention for his environmental activism, love of nature, and spiritual outlook rooted in Buddhist teachings.

Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa was born on August 1, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the only child of Coni Momoa, a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter. His father is of Native Hawaiian ancestry, while his mother has German, Irish, and Native American roots. After his parents separated when he was young, Momoa was raised primarily by his mother in Norwalk, Iowa.

Growing up in the Midwest while maintaining strong ties to his Hawaiian heritage helped shape Momoa’s identity. He spent much of his youth outdoors and developed interests in skateboarding, rock climbing, and surfing. After graduating from high school, he briefly attended college in Iowa before returning to Hawaii, where his life took a dramatic turn when he was discovered by fashion designer Takeo Kobayashi.

Momoa began modeling in Hawaii and quickly gained attention for his striking appearance. In 1999, he won Hawaii’s Model of the Year competition and soon landed his breakthrough acting role as Jason Ioane on the television series Baywatch Hawaii. He appeared on the show from 1999 to 2001, which opened doors for additional television opportunities.

After several smaller acting roles, Momoa gained a loyal fan following as Ronon Dex on the science-fiction series Stargate Atlantis, appearing from 2005 to 2009. His career reached a new level in 2011 when he portrayed the fierce Dothraki leader Khal Drogo on HBO’s Game of Thrones. Though his role lasted only one season, the performance became one of the show’s most memorable characters and significantly boosted his Hollywood profile.

That same year, Momoa starred in the reboot of Conan the Barbarian, further establishing his image as an action star. However, his biggest breakthrough came when he was cast as Aquaman in the DC superhero franchise. Beginning with a brief appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016, Momoa later starred in Justice League and the standalone Aquaman films. The 2018 movie Aquaman became one of DC’s highest-grossing films and transformed Momoa into a global movie star.

Beyond superhero films, Momoa has appeared in projects such as Dune, Fast X, See, and Frontier. He has also worked behind the camera as a writer, director, and producer. Known for bringing humor and charisma to interviews and public appearances, Momoa has cultivated a reputation as both a tough action hero and a laid-back outdoorsman.

In his personal life, Momoa’s relationship with actress Lisa Bonet attracted widespread media attention for many years. Momoa had admired Bonet since childhood after seeing her on television. The two began dating in 2005 and were together for more than a decade before marrying in 2017. They have two children together: a daughter, Lola Iolani Momoa, born in 2007, and a son, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa, born in 2008.

In January 2022, Momoa and Bonet announced they were separating after nearly 17 years together. Bonet later filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2024. Despite the end of their marriage, both have publicly emphasized their commitment to co-parenting their children and maintaining respect for one another.

Jason Momoa's Religious Beliefs

Jason Momoa is known for studying and practicing Buddhist teachings as part of his spiritual life. Though he was not raised in Buddhism, he has spoken about seeking spiritual balance and inner peace through Buddhist principles and meditation.

Momoa reportedly traveled to Tibet in 1999 to deepen his understanding of Buddhism and spirituality. He has described meditation and mindfulness as important parts of his daily routine, helping him stay grounded amid the pressures of fame and the entertainment industry. Buddhist teachings centered on compassion, patience, and awareness have influenced his personal outlook and approach to life.

While Momoa is widely recognized for portraying fierce warriors and action heroes on screen, his off-screen personality often reflects a calmer and more reflective side. His appreciation for nature, environmental causes, and simple living also aligns closely with many Buddhist values. Over the years, he has credited spiritual practices with helping him remain focused during difficult periods in his career and personal life.