Viggo Peter Mortensen Jr., a versatile figure in the entertainment and arts world, was born on October 20, 1958, in New York City to Grace Gamble and Viggo Peter Mortensen Sr. His upbringing was global, shaped by time spent in countries such as Spain, England, and Denmark. During these years, he undertook various jobs, including work as a truck driver and florist, before returning to the United States to pursue an acting career in earnest.
Mortensen began his acting journey in theater, honing his craft on stage before making his film debut in the Peter Weir thriller Witness (1985). Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, he appeared in supporting roles in films like Prison, The Indian Runner, and The Portrait of a Lady. However, his performance in G.I. Jane (1997) was particularly well-received and marked a turning point in his screen presence.
Mortensen rose to international prominence with his portrayal of Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003). His performance garnered widespread acclaim and established him as a leading actor in Hollywood.
His partnership with director David Cronenberg was especially fruitful, leading to three acclaimed films. In A History of Violence (2005), Mortensen earned praise for his complex portrayal of a man with a violent past. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for Eastern Promises (2007), a role that also earned him the British Independent Film Award for Best Actor. He reunited with Cronenberg for A Dangerous Method (2011), portraying Sigmund Freud, a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination and the Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Beyond his collaborations with Cronenberg, Mortensen starred in several notable films. In Hidalgo (2004), he played a long-distance rider competing in a grueling desert race, and in The Road (2009), based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, he portrayed a father navigating a post-apocalyptic world. For his performance in The Road, he received the Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor. He also continued working in theater, notably appearing in Ariel Dorfman's Purgatorio.
Outside of acting, Mortensen is an accomplished poet, painter, and musician. His work as an abstract artist has been exhibited internationally, often combining visual art with verses from his poetry. He published his first book of poetry, Ten Last Night, in 1983, marking the beginning of his lifelong engagement with literature and photography.
In music, Mortensen has collaborated with notable artists including guitarist Buckethead. Together, they have released experimental albums under his publishing label, Perceval Press. Established to support emerging artists and authors, Perceval Press allows Mortensen to merge his creative interests with his commitment to independent publishing.
| Birth Date: | 20 Oct, 1958 |
| Age: | 61 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America Denmark |
| Birth Place: | Manhattan |
| Education: | St. Lawrence University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| Spouse: | Exene Cervenka[1987-1998] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 40 million |
