Jason Momoa has revealed he struggled to provide food for his young family after a short-lived appearance in HBO fantasy drama Game Of Thrones led to a bleak period of unemployment.
The actor became an instant hit with fans of the hugely popular show thanks to his portrayal of imposing Dothraki leader Khal Drogo during its first season.
But after the brutish character was killed off in 2011, Momoa tells InStyle he couldn’t provide for wife Lisa Bonet and their two children, Lola Iolani, now 13, and Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha, 11.
He recalled: ‘I mean, we were starving after Game of Thrones. I couldn’t get work. It’s very challenging when you have babies and you’re completely in debt,’
Based on author George RR Martin’s award winning series of novels, Game Of Thrones quickly developed a huge following during an eight season run, making household names of regular cast-members Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke.
But the show was still in its infancy when Momoa stepped in to play the leather-clad Drogo for 10 consecutive episodes, with the character’s violent screen death in line with Martin’s original text.
He would make a fleeting appearance in its second season – albeit in flashback – but as Game Of Thrones became a global hit Momoa was left behind and ultimately confronted with two-years of unemployment.
His next lead role would come in his own film, the little known Road to Paloma, which was written and directed by the star in 2014.
After starring in short-lived TV series The Red Road, his career was given a lifeline when he was cast as the lead in DC blockbuster Aquaman.
The DC superhero film grossed over $1.1billion at the worldwide box office, making him one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars and highlighting a remarkable change in fortune.
So beauty without brain,nice?