5 Shocking Truths Jason Momoa Revealed About His Time As Khal Drogo On Game Of Thrones

Few characters in television history made a bigger impact with less screen time than Khal Drogo. The fierce Dothraki warlord, played by Jason Momoa, was the catalyst for Daenerys Targaryen’s transformation in the first season of HBO’s *Game of Thrones* (GoT). While his reign was brief—only ten episodes—the legacy of the character and the experience for the actor have continued to resonate in the years since, with Momoa frequently sharing new, candid details about his time in Westeros and Essos, even as recently as this year, December 11, 2025.

The role launched Jason Momoa into global stardom, yet the path from the vast Dothraki Sea to the DC Extended Universe as Aquaman was far from easy. Behind the scenes, the actor faced significant financial hardship and career struggles that are rarely discussed, painting a complex picture of a breakout role that was both a blessing and a curse. From his viral, unconventional audition to his enduring, heartwarming friendship with his "Khaleesi," Emilia Clarke, here are the most shocking truths Jason Momoa has revealed about his iconic role.

Jason Momoa: Full Biography and Profile

Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa is an American actor, director, and producer known globally for his commanding screen presence and Polynesian heritage. His career trajectory is a fascinating study of a star who leveraged a brief, powerful role into a blockbuster franchise career.

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• Full Name: Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa
• Born: August 1, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
• Raised In: Norwalk, Iowa, by his mother.
• Early Career: Began as a model, winning Hawaii's Model of the Year in 1999, which led to his casting in *Baywatch: Hawaii* (1999–2001).
• Breakout Role: Khal Drogo in *Game of Thrones* (2011).
• Key Roles After GoT: Arthur Curry / Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe (*Justice League*, *Aquaman*, *Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom*), Duncan Idaho in *Dune* (2021), Declan Harp in *Frontier* (2016–2018), and Baba Voss in *See* (2019–2022).
• Current Projects: Developing and starring in the historical drama series *Chief of War* for Apple TV+.

1. The Shocking Post-GoT Financial Struggle: "I Was Starving"

Despite appearing in one of the biggest television shows of all time, Jason Momoa has been vocal about the severe financial difficulties he faced immediately after his character, Khal Drogo, was killed off in the first season.

The character's death in 2011 meant a sudden loss of income, and the actor found himself in significant debt. Momoa admitted in recent interviews that he was "starving" and struggled to pay bills for his family, which included his two young children.

The problem was compounded by the typecasting that followed the role. Because Khal Drogo was a non-English-speaking character who communicated primarily through the Dothraki language, some casting directors and industry professionals mistakenly believed Momoa couldn't speak English, making it incredibly difficult to secure new work. “I couldn't get a meeting to save my soul after *Game of Thrones*,” he confessed, highlighting the unexpected downside of his breakout role.

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2. His Viral Audition Was a Spontaneous War Dance

The story behind Jason Momoa's audition for the role of the Dothraki leader is one of the most unique in the show’s history. Khal Drogo had very few lines of dialogue, which Momoa correctly interpreted as a need for a massive, non-verbal display of power and intimidation.

Instead of merely reading lines, Momoa decided to perform a Haka—a traditional Māori war dance—to showcase the character's primal ferocity. He recalled that the first time he performed the intense, ceremonial dance, the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, were "very scared."

This unconventional and powerful performance immediately sold the producers on his ability to embody the terrifying yet charismatic warlord. The raw, guttural energy of the Haka secured him the role, proving that sometimes, actions truly do speak louder than words, especially in the world of Westeros.

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3. He Lived in a Van During Filming

Despite the grand scale and massive budget of the *Game of Thrones* production, Momoa revealed that his living situation during the early days of filming was far from luxurious. The actor confessed that he was so broke after his character was killed off that he and his family lived out of a van while traveling around the U.S. and even during parts of the filming process.

This period of financial precarity and living on the road highlights the stark reality for many actors, even those who land major roles. Furthermore, he often felt "so homesick" during his time away filming, a feeling that was likely amplified by his challenging living conditions. It wasn't until the eventual casting as Aquaman by director Zack Snyder that his financial fortunes truly turned around, providing the stable career foundation he needed.

4. The Unbreakable Real-Life Bond with Emilia Clarke

The on-screen relationship between Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) was complex, transitioning from a forced marriage to a deep, loving connection. Off-screen, the bond between Jason Momoa and Emilia Clarke is one of the most enduring and beloved friendships in Hollywood.

Despite only working together for one season, the two actors frequently reunite, sharing photos and expressing their affection for one another, often referring to each other as "Khaleesi" and "Drogo" or "Moon of My Life." Their real-life chemistry is palpable, with Momoa often getting emotional when discussing Clarke, particularly after she suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms following the first season.

Momoa's unwavering support and public displays of affection for Clarke—including his heartfelt reaction to the *Game of Thrones* finale—demonstrate a friendship that transcended their characters' brief time together in the world of Westeros.

5. His "Sweary" Rage Over Daenerys's Series Finale Ending

Jason Momoa's investment in his on-screen wife, Daenerys Targaryen, did not end with his character’s death. He was one of the most vocal and emotional cast members reacting to the controversial series finale of *Game of Thrones* in 2019.

Momoa live-streamed his reaction to the final episode, and his response to Daenerys's shocking descent into madness and subsequent death at the hands of Jon Snow was one of pure rage and heartbreak. He was not pleased with the fate of his Khaleesi and made his feelings known in real-time, using "sweary" language to express his frustration with the final plot twist.

His passionate reaction was a viral moment, affirming his deep connection to the character and his co-star, Emilia Clarke. He even sent Clarke a message after the episode aired, saying, "Baby That Episode Killed Me," proving that the love between Drogo and Dany, in spirit, remained until the very end.

The Undeniable Legacy of Khal Drogo

Jason Momoa's portrayal of Khal Drogo was a masterclass in non-verbal acting, establishing a character who was both a brutal warlord and a devoted husband. The role was a pivotal turning point, not just for the *Game of Thrones* narrative, but for Momoa's career, despite the immediate financial fallout.

The character's impact paved the way for his subsequent action roles in films like *Conan the Barbarian* and, most significantly, as the superhero Aquaman, a role that finally utilized his imposing physique and charisma for a global audience. The legacy of Drogo is a testament to Momoa's resilience, transforming a brief, typecasting role into a launchpad for a multifaceted career as an actor, director, and even a prominent Hawaiian storyteller in projects like *Chief of War*.