Curiosities

Happy Birthday, Jason Momoa! The Story Behind His Famous Facial Scar

Jason Momoa has built a career playing fearless warriors, superheroes, and larger-than-life figures, from Khal Drogo in "Game of Thrones" to "Aquaman" in the DC films.

Jason Momoa.
© Fiona Goodall/Getty Images for Universal PicturesJason Momoa.

According to IMDb Trivia, one of his most recognizable physical features was not created for a movie role but resulted from a real-life assault in 2008 that permanently changed his appearance.

How Jason Momoa’s Famous Scar Became Part of His Look

Long before taking on some of Hollywood’s biggest action roles, Momoa was injured during an altercation at Birds Cafe, a Hollywood venue, on November 15, 2008. He was struck in the face with a broken beer glass, suffering injuries that required about 140 stitches and reconstructive surgery. The wound left the scar that remains visible through his left eyebrow today.

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The attack led to criminal charges against Dominic Bando, who was 21 years old at the time and living in Venice Beach, California. According to an Associated Press report cited by IMDb Trivia, Bando was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for the assault.

In the years that followed, Momoa’s career continued to gain momentum. After early television roles in “Baywatch Hawaii” and “Stargate Atlantis,” he reached a global audience as Khal Drogo in “Game of Thrones” before becoming the face of Aquaman in DC’s live-action pictures. He has also appeared in “Dune,” “Fast X,” and “A Minecraft Movie.”

Momoa remains active across film and television. He recently starred in Apple TV+’s historical drama “Chief of War,” which he also co-created and executive produced, and took on the role of Lobo in “Supergirl.” He is also set to portray Blanka in the upcoming “Street Fighter” reboot, continuing a career that has expanded well beyond the roles that first made him a household name.

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Clara is about to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Writing Arts at the National University of Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In her role as a writer for Spoiler US, she covers movies, TV shows, streaming platforms, celebrities, and other topics of entertainment and general interest. Since 2021, she has been working as a film critic for Bendito Spoiler, Cinema Saturno, and Peliplat, attending festivals, conducting interviews, and regularly participating in cinematic debate podcasts. Her main focus of work is in the horror genre.

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