Jason Momoa Struggled Post-Game of Thrones: “Nobody Thought I Spoke English”

Remember in 2011, when “Game of Thrones” fans were first introduced to Khal Drogo, the husband of Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke)? This formidable warlord who represented the strength of the Dothraki was portrayed by Jason Momoa, then a relatively unknown actor. At the end of season 1, his character dies, suffocated by his wife who cannot bear to see him suffer from a deadly wound. This tragic ending also marked the beginning of a difficult period for the American actor.

Jason Momoa Struggled After “Game of Thrones”

Following his role as Khal Drogo, Jason Momoa found himself typecast as the silent strongman. In the series, his character spoke rarely, communicating mostly in Dothraki, the fictional language created for “Game of Thrones.” As a result, he was pigeonholed: “No one thought I could speak English,” he told Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” in 2025.

After the show, job offers dried up: “We were on the verge of bankruptcy. I couldn’t find work,” he said. This put a strain on his family life: “I have two kids to feed. I’m saddled with debt.” It was a paradox for someone who was once “the most visible man on TV” but was now unable to secure a movie role.

From Khal Drogo to Aquaman: The Actor’s Comeback

To break away from the image of Khal Drogo, Jason Momoa took a bold step: “I wrote and directed my own low-budget film, Road to Paloma, to show that I could do more than grunt on horseback.” Everyone knows what happened next: two years later, he landed the role of Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, as he recalled in the interview: “Zack Snyder chose me for the role.“

He first appeared briefly in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” then joined “Justice League” in 2017. A year later, he starred in his own blockbuster, “Aquaman.” Since then, Jason Momoa has secured leading roles in a series, “See,” and major Hollywood productions such as “Fast & Furious X” (2023), “The Fall Guy” (2024), “Minecraft: The Movie” (2025), and not to mention “Dune: Part Three” coming this December!