Pedro Pascal

José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal (Spanish: ; born April 2, 1975) is a Chilean and American actor.

After nearly two decades of taking small roles in film and television, Pascal rose to prominence for portraying Oberyn Martell in the fourth season of the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones (2014) and Javier Peña in the Netflix crime series Narcos (2015–2017). He went on to appear in the films The Great Wall (2016), Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), The Equalizer 2 (2018), Triple Frontier (2019), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022).

Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal
Pascal in 2017
Born
José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal

(1975-04-02) April 2, 1975 (age 48)
Santiago, Chile
Other namesPedro Balmaceda
Alexander Pascal
EducationNew York University (BFA)
OccupationActor
Years active1996–present
RelativesLux Pascal (sister)
Signature
Pedro Pascal

Since 2019, Pascal has starred as the title character in the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian, a role he reprised in The Book of Boba Fett (2022). In 2023, he played Joel Miller in the HBO drama series The Last of Us, for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award and received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.

Early life

José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal was born on April 2, 1975, in Santiago, Chile to child psychologist Verónica Pascal Ureta and fertility doctor José Balmaceda Riera. His paternal grandmother was born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. He has an older sister named Javiera, a younger brother named Nicolás, and a younger sister named Lux, who is an actress and transgender activist. Pascal's mother was the cousin of Andrés Pascal Allende, the nephew of socialist Chilean President Salvador Allende (through his sister Laura). Pascal Allende was an early leader of the Movement of the Revolutionary Left, a militant far-left organization.

Nine months after his birth, his family sought refuge in the Venezuelan embassy in Santiago, and later received political asylum in Denmark. Ultimately, the family moved to the United States, where Pascal was raised in San Antonio, Texas, until they relocated to Orange County, California, when he was 11 years old. By the time he was eight years old, his family regularly visited Chile to see his 34 cousins.

He pursued acting at the Orange County School of the Arts and graduated in 1993, before attending New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he graduated in 1997. After his mother's death, he began using her surname professionally as a tribute to her and because he felt that Americans had difficulty pronouncing his paternal surname, Balmaceda.

Career

1999–2013: Early work

Pascal has appeared in several television series, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Good Wife, Homeland, The Mentalist, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Graceland. He was cast in the pilot for the 2011 Wonder Woman television adaptation, but the show was not picked up.

Pedro Pascal 
Pascal at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con

Pascal has extensive stage experience as both an actor and director; he received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and Garland Award for his role in the International City Theater production of Orphans, and has performed in classical and contemporary works. In 2010, he wrote a play, directed by Sarah Silverman, Flaca Loves Bone, about four siblings who meet in a snowy wood to uncover a family secret. He made his directorial debut with play underneathmybed in 2008. He also directed Yosemite and Killing Play at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. He is a member of New York City's LAByrinth Theater Company.

2014–2022: Breakthrough

In 2014, Pascal portrayed the character Oberyn Martell in the fourth season of the HBO's critically acclaimed television series Game of Thrones. The season aired from April 6 to June 15, 2014, and Pascal's performance as the passionate and vengeful Prince of Dorne garnered significant praise from both critics and audiences. Pascal stated that he was a huge fan of the show before being cast as Oberyn and was ecstatic to join. As part of the ensemble, he has received a Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

In the 2015 movie, Bloodsucking Bastards, Pascal portrayed the vampire Max. In April 2015, Pascal co-starred with Heidi Klum in the music video for Sia's "Fire Meet Gasoline". In August 2015, Pascal gained further recognition for his portrayal as Javier Peña, based on a real-life DEA agent, in the popular Netflix crime drama series Narcos. The show's two first seasons depict the rise and fall of the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar and the subsequent Medellín Cartel, as the show's focus shifted to the Cali Cartel for its third and final season, Pascal took on the role of both lead actor and narrator.

In 2016, he portrayed mercenary Pero Tovar in the fantasy action film The Great Wall, alongside Matt Damon, and directed by Zhang Yimou. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Great Wall of China, the film follows European mercenaries who become embroiled in a battle against ancient creatures threatening humanity. Despite the film's visually stunning production and ambitious scope, it received mixed reviews for its narrative and character development. Filmed on location in Qingdao, China. Pascal has voiced his admiration for Yimou, whom he's been a fan of growing up.

In 2017, Pascal portrayed the charismatic and skilled operative within the Statesman organization, Jack Daniels, also known as Agent Whiskey, in Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

In 2018, he starred as Dave York, the main antagonist, in Denzel Washington's thriller sequel film The Equalizer 2. In Prospect, Pascal portrayed the character Ezra, a seasoned and enigmatic prospector navigating a dangerous alien moon in search of valuable resources. In 2018's If Beale Street Could Talk, directed by Barry Jenkins and based on James Baldwin's novel, Pascal made a cameo appearance as Pietro Alvarez, a frivolous yet crucial character who ultimately reveals a compassionate and empathetic side.

In February 2019, Pascal made his Broadway debut in an adaptation of King Lear with Glenda Jackson and Ruth Wilson, where he took on the role of Edmund, the cunning and ambitious illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester. Since 2019, Pascal has portrayed the title role in The Mandalorian, the first live-action Star Wars television series, which debuted on Disney+, the show follows the adventures of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy. The same year, he starred as Francisco "Catfish" Morales in the Netflix heist drama Triple Frontier.

He portrayed Maxwell Lord in the DC Extended Universe film Wonder Woman 1984, directed by Patty Jenkins. Following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was released to theaters and HBO Max on December 25, 2020.

In 2022, Pascal co-starred with Nicolas Cage in the action comedy film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. His performance was widely praised by the critics. Pascal also appeared in The Bubble, Judd Apatow's satirical comedy exploring celebrity culture amidst the pandemic. He starred in Miu Miu's Women's Tales' series short film, directed by Janicza Bravo, titled House Comes With a Bird. In November 2022, he was cast in Freaky Tales, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.

2023–present: Worldwide recognition

In 2023, Pascal starred in the HBO's highly anticipated television adaptation, The Last of Us, based on the critically acclaimed video game under the same title, created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. He took on the role of Joel Miller, a hardened survivor in a post-apocalyptic world, tasked with protecting a young girl named Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey. Pascal reportedly received $600,000 per episode. Empire's John Nugent and /Film's Valerie Ettenhofer praised Pascal's performance as the best of his career, citing his ability to portray nuance and rare vulnerability. In February, he hosted a Saturday Night Live episode, with Coldplay as the musical guest. In April, he was added to the cast of Ethan Coen's Drive-Away Dolls. In May, he co-starred in the short film Strange Way of Life alongside Ethan Hawke, directed by Pedro Almodóvar, whom Pascal has previously expressed his admiration for and desire to work with. In May, Pascal was cast in Gladiator 2, the upcoming sequel of Ridley Scott's Gladiator. In June, Pascal was named by Carnegie Corporation of New York as an honoree of the Great Immigrants Award. In July, Pascal made history as the first Latino to receive three nominations in the same year for the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The nominations included Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal in The Last of Us, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest-hosting role in an episode of Saturday Night Live, and Outstanding Narrator for his narration in Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World.

In February 2024, Pascal was cast as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film The Fantastic Four.

Personal life

Pascal is fluent in both English and Spanish and has been a resident of New York City since 1993. He developed a close friendship with actress Sarah Paulson soon after moving there.

Pascal is an advocate of LGBTQ+ rights and was supportive of his sister Lux Pascal when she came out as transgender. Lux said, "He has been an important part of this. He is also an artist and has been a guide. He was one of the first to give me the things that formed my identity."

Pascal identifies as an agnostic and a progressive liberal. He endorsed leftist Gabriel Boric in the 2021 Chilean presidential election.

Acting credits

Film

Film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1996 Burning Bridges Alex Short film; credited as Pedro Balmaceda
1997 Window Shopping David Short film; credited as Pedro Balmaceda
2005 Hermanas Steve
2008 I Am That Girl Noah
2009 Iris Billy Short film
2011 The Adjustment Bureau Maitre D’ Paul De Santo
Sweet Little Lies Paulino
2015 Bloodsucking Bastards Max
Sweets Twin Peter
2016 The Great Wall Pero Tovar
2017 Kingsman: The Golden Circle Jack Daniels / Agent Whiskey
2018 Prospect Ezra
The Equalizer 2 Dave York
If Beale Street Could Talk Pietro Alvarez Cameo
2019 Triple Frontier Francisco "Catfish" Morales
2020 Wonder Woman 1984 Maxwell Lord
We Can Be Heroes Marcus Moreno
2022 The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Javi Gutierrez
The Bubble Dieter Bravo
House Comes with a Bird Nico Short film
2023 Strange Way of Life Silva Short film
2024 Freaky Tales Clint
Drive-Away Dolls Santos
The Uninvited Lucien Flores
The Wild Robot Fink (voice) In-production
Gladiator 2 TBA Post-production
TBA Tropico Mark Post-production
TBA Eddington TBA Filming
Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Television credits
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Good vs. Evil Gregor New Episode: "Gee Your Hair Smells Evil"; credited as Pedro Balmaceda
Downtown Voice Episode: "Hot Spot"; credited as Pedro Balmaceda
Undressed Greg 3 episodes; credited as Pedro Balmaceda
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Eddie Episode: "The Freshman"; credited as Pedro Balmaceda
2000 Touched by an Angel Ricky Episode: "Stealing Hope"; credited as Pedro Balmaceda
2001 NYPD Blue Shane 'Dio' Morrissey Episode: "Oh Golly Goth"; credited as Alexander Pascal
Earth vs. the Spider Goth Guy Television film
2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Reggie Luckman Episode: "Weeping Willow"
Without a Trace Kyle Wilson Episode: "Candy"
2008 Law & Order Tito Cabassa Episode: "Tango"
2009 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Kevin 'Kip' Green Episode: "The Glory That Was..."
2009–2011 The Good Wife Nathan Landry 6 episodes
2010 Nurse Jackie Steve Episode: "Twitter"
2011 Lights Out Omar Assarian 4 episodes
Brothers & Sisters Zach Wellison 2 episodes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Special Agent Greer Episode: "Smoked"
Charlie's Angels Frederick Mercer Episode: "Angels in Paradise"
Wonder Woman Ed Indelicato Television pilot
Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe Comandante Veracruz Television film
2012 Body of Proof Zack Goffman Episode: "Falling for You"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Kyle Hartley Episode: "Malice in Wonderland"
2013 Nikita Liam Episode: "Aftermath"
Red Widow Jay Castillo 4 episodes
Homeland David Portillo Episode: "Tin Man Is Down"
The Sixth Gun Special Agent Ortega Television pilot
2013–2014 Graceland Juan Badillo 10 episodes
2014 The Mentalist Marcus Pike 7 episodes
Game of Thrones Oberyn Martell Recurring role
2015 Exposed Oscar Castro Vargas Television film
2015–2017 Narcos Javier Peña Main role (seasons 1–2), Lead role (season 3)
2019–present The Mandalorian The Mandalorian / Din Djarin Lead role
2020 Home Movie: The Princess Bride Inigo Montoya Episode: "Chapter Two: The Shrieking Eels"
2021 Calls Pedro Voice role; Episode: "Pedro Across the Street"
Amend: The Fight for America Himself 2 episodes
Animal Himself / narrator Episode: "Octopus"
2022 The Book of Boba Fett The Mandalorian / Din Djarin 3 episodes
Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World Narrator Documentary miniseries
2023–present The Last of Us Joel Miller Lead role
2023 Saturday Night Live Himself (host) Episodes: "Pedro Pascal/Coldplay" and "Bad Bunny"
HouseBroken Claude Voice role; Episode: "Who’s a Homeowner?"
TBA My Dentist's Murder Trial TBA Lead role; also executive producer
Key
Denotes series that have not yet been released

Theatre

Theatre credits
Year Title Role Venue Notes Ref.
1999 Orphans Phillip International City Theatre
2002 Fallen Pascal Liberty Hall Lowell
2003 Lobby Hero Jeff WHAT Harbor Stage
2003 Ghosts Oswald Alving Shakespeare Theater
2004 Gizmo Love Ralph WHAT Harbor Stage
2004 Anna in the Tropics Juan Julian Portland Center Stage
2005 Lorenzaccio Piero Strozzi The Lansburgh Theatre
2005 Troilus and Cressida Thersites Tectonic Theater Project
2005 Hamlet Horatio Boston Common Parade Ground
2006 Beauty of the Father Karim Manhattan Theatre Club
2006 Based on a Totally True Story Michael Sullivan Manhattan Theatre Club
2006 Macbeth Ensemble / Bloody Sergeant / Murderer 2 Delacorte Theater
2006 The Cartells Emanuel Comix NY
2007 Some Men Fritz / Mendy / David Goldman / RandyHunk / Zach / Lewis / Mel / Nurse Jack Second Stage Theater
2007 Hamlet Horatio The Lansburgh Theatre
2008 Sand Performer Women’s Project Theater
2008 Old Comedy After Aristophane's Frogs Dionysus Classic Stage Company
2009 The Miracle at Naples Tristano The Virginia Wimberly Theatre
2010 Flaca Loves Bone Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre Writer and director
2011 Dark Matters Enamorado The Blank's 2nd Stage Theatre
2011 Maple and Vine Roger Playwrights Horizons
2011 Yosemite Rattlestick Playwrights Theater Director
2014 Much Ado About Nothing Don John Public Theater
2019 King Lear Edmund James Earl Jones Theatre

Music videos

Music video credits
Year Artist Song Ref.
2015 Sia "Fire Meet Gasoline"
2020 Gal Gadot "Imagine"

Video games

Video game credits
Year Title Voice role
2016 Dishonored 2 Paolo

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Pedro Pascal
Award Year Work Category Result Ref.
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2015 Game of Thrones Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
2024 The Last of Us Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Won
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
Teen Choice Awards 2018 Kingsman: The Golden Circle Choice Fight (shared with Colin Firth and Taron Egerton) Nominated
Imagen Foundation Awards 2016 Narcos Best Actor - Television Nominated
2021 Wonder Woman 1984 Best Actor - Feature Film Nominated
2023 The Last of Us Best Actor - Drama Won
Fargo Film Festival 2019 Prospect Best Actor Won
Critics' Choice Super Awards 2021 The Mandalorian Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards 2022 The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Best Supporting Actor Runner-up
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2021 The Mandalorian Best Duo Nominated
Best Hero Nominated
2023 The Last of Us Best Duo (shared with Bella Ramsey) Won
Best Hero Won
Astra TV Awards 2023 The Last of Us Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series - Drama Won
Creative Arts TV Awards 2023 Saturday Night Live Best Guest Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series - Comedy Won
Primetime Emmy Awards 2023 The Last of Us Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards 2023 Saturday Night Live Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World Outstanding Narrator Nominated
Critics' Choice Awards 2024 The Last of Us Best Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
Golden Globe Awards 2024 The Last of Us Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama Nominated
People’s Choice Awards 2024 The Last of Us The Male TV Star of The Year Won
The Drama TV Star of the Year Nominated

References

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Pedro Pascal Early lifePedro Pascal CareerPedro Pascal Personal lifePedro Pascal Acting creditsPedro Pascal Awards and nominationsPedro Pascal

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