Movies
Mortensen's film debut took place when the aspiring actor turned 26 years old. The first episodic role was played in the drama “Witness”. But already in the mid-1990s, the artist appeared in minor roles in the popular films “Carlito’s Way,” “The Fugitive Indian,” “The Prophecy” and “A Perfect Murder.” In these films, Viggo Mortensen demonstrated increased acting skills, which did not pass the attention of Hollywood directors.
"Fugitive Indian"
"The Perfect Murder"
The second half of the 1990s was marked by romance: the actor starred in melodramas as a hero-lover. As it soon turned out, this role revealed Viggo Mortensen to many directors. “G.I. Jane” with Demi Moore and “Portrait of a Lady” with Nicole Kidman became the steps that helped the actor begin his rapid ascent to real fame. Remakes of Alfred Hitchcock's cult films Psycho and A Perfect Murder cemented Mortensen in the niche of a new Hollywood star.
"GI Jane"
"Portrait of a Lady"
Film "Psychosis" 1998
Viggo's talent sparkled with all its facets in the fantastic and mega-popular project "The Lord of the Rings". The film was an adaptation of a book that is considered a true icon for roleplayers and geeks all over the world - the novel “The Lord of the Rings” by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
"Lord of the Rings"
Viggo Mortensen played the role of the ranger Aragorn, who is in love with an elven princess. Together with other heroes, Aragorn unites into the Fellowship of the Ring, whose goal is to destroy the magical One Ring, which was created to subjugate and enslave the peoples of Middle-earth.
At the same time, Mortensen’s hero also has his own storyline related to the succession to the throne and the search for the real ruler of the kingdom of the people of Gondor.
The role of Aragorn turned out to be truly stellar. The fame was such that Mortensen had to address his fans on television, asking for an apology for his inability to answer everyone’s letters. It is noteworthy that in “The Lord of the Rings” Viggo Mortensen performed all the risky stunts himself, which is why he received a number of injuries.
Viggo Mortensen did not receive personal awards for these three films, but in all parts of the trilogy, the Lord of the Rings actors were recognized by critics as the best cast in a feature film of the year.
The artist’s collaboration with the famous Hollywood director David Cronenberg brought a new round of deafening popularity. High marks from critics followed the release of the film Justified Cruelty. But great fame came after the next project - the film “Vice for Export”.
"Justified Cruelty"
"Vice for export"
The premiere took place in 2007. Fans of Viggo Mortensen's talent and film critics unanimously proclaimed the role of the Russian bandit played by the actor as the strongest in his career. Such authenticity was given to the actor through long and painstaking preparation.
To better get into character, Mortensen even visited Russia, living incognito in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Yekaterinburg for 2 months. In addition, the actor communicated with a former Russian prisoner, learned slang expressions, and also studied Russian with a teacher from Princeton University, also Russian by birth, Stanislav Shvabrin.
The prestigious Golden Globe award came to the Hollywood artist after the release of the biopic A Dangerous Method, based on the biographies of famous psychoanalysts, in which the actor played the role of Sigmund Freud. The role of Carl Jung went to Michael Fassbender.
"Dangerous Method"
In addition to cinematography, Viggo is the founder of a publishing house and writes and publishes his own novels and collections of poetry. In addition, he is interested in photography and sings beautifully (he has recorded 3 albums). Mortensen is also a good artist. Viewers were able to see his work in the film “A Perfect Murder,” where the actor played the role of an artist.
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen is a popular Danish-American actor, writer, musician and photographer. Viggo Mortensen is a three-time Oscar and BAFTA nominee, as well as a four-time Golden Globe nominee. Mortensen became famous for his role as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In 2019, Viggo Mortensen was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Green Book.
Early years and education
Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. was born in New York on October 20, 1958. Danish and Canadian blood flows in the actor’s veins.
His father, Viggo Peter Mortensen , was a poultry farmer in Argentina.
The mother, Grace Gamble Atkinson , raised the children, according to Viggo Mortensen’s biography on Wikipedia.
The Mortensen family moved to Argentina in 1960, where they bought their own ranch. But in 1968, the parents divorced. His mother took Viggo and his two brothers to New York, and his restless father continued to travel around the world.
In Argentina, Viggo Mortensen, while studying at a local school, learned Spanish well. In New York, the boy continued his studies in high school.
Viggo Mortensen loved sports, played tennis, and was captain of the swimming team. Viggo became interested in photography while still at school. He inherited his father's love of travel and always had a camera with him during his travels. Mortensen Jr. was capable of learning foreign languages - he easily mastered English, Spanish, Danish, and also a little Swedish, Norwegian and French.
After school, Mortensen entered the famous St. Lawrence University (Canton, New York), where he studied politics and Spanish studies. Having sufficient linguistic knowledge and understanding of the issues being studied, he received a bachelor's degree without much difficulty.
Viggo Mortensen's career
After graduating from university, Viggo Mortensen traveled a lot, working part-time as an elevator operator, a waiter, a driver, and even a flower seller.
After trying different professions, Viggo returned to New York. Mortensen decided to become an actor and studied for two years at Warren Robertson's , while acting in the theater at the same time.
Viggo Mortensen began his career in various Broadway productions in the early 80s. The films he participated in from 1985 to 1995 were of a low standard. The first full-length film in which Viggo appeared in a small role was called “Witness” (1985).
Viggo Mortensen's career developed, but at first the actor starred mainly in negative roles. His roles include criminal Frank Robbins (“The Fugitive Indian,” 1991), gangster informer Lalin (“Carlito’s Way,” 1993), and he even had to play the role of the fallen angel Lucifer in the film “The Prophecy” (1995).
In the second half of the 90s, Viggo played several romantic roles. These roles were so successful that viewers saw the talent of the young actor from a new perspective: “Portrait of a Lady” (1996), “G.I. Jane” (1997), “A Perfect Murder” (1998).
Finally, fame overtook Mortensen after the film “The Lord of the Rings” (2001), where Viggo played the role of Aragorn. The work was difficult for Viggo, since he had not previously read the works of Tolkien . However, he managed to successfully embody the image of his hero.
Viggo Mortensen starred in three parts of the film: “The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001), “The Two Towers” (2002), “The Return of the King” (2003), after which his career reached a new level.
The actor's popularity during this period reached extraordinary heights. Enthusiastic spectators wrote to him, admiring his performance. There were so many letters that Viggo was forced to apologize to his fans for not being able to answer them all.
Then Mortensen had many more works. In 2005, Viggo collaborated with David Cronenberg in the film Violence. Then viewers saw another picture - “Vice for Export” (2007). This film was especially appreciated by film critics, considering it the best in Mortensen’s film career. The actor played a Russian gangster, having previously visited Russia. For two months he lived in Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg, Moscow and the Urals. And before each shooting day, make-up artists applied about 50 tattoos to his body.
In 2011, Viggo Mortensen starred in the film A Dangerous Method alongside Keira Knightley , playing Sigmund Freud . For this role he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. The following year, Mortensen played William Burroughs in the film On the Road, based on the famous book by Kerouac .
In 2014, he participated in three films, among them “The Two Faces of January” (together with Kirsten Dunst ) and “Far from People” based on the story by Albert Camus .
In recent years, Viggo Mortensen has not played as often, but almost every film with his participation becomes an event in the world of cinema. For example, in January 2021, the film “Captain Fantastic” (directed by Matt Ross ) was released, in which Mortensen played a left-wing intellectual raising children in a deep forest, ready for any difficulties of our world. Viggo Mortensen was as convincing as always in this role.
by Peter Farrelly was released , dedicated to the relationship of a talented black pianist, played by Mahershala Ali , and the role of his driver, a racist Italian, Tony, went to Viggo. For her, Mortensen was nominated for an Oscar, and for the fourth time.
Viggo Mortensen was again left without an Oscar, but Green Book won Best Picture and Mahershala Ali won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
The US Board of Film Critics also recognized the film "Green Book" directed by Peter Farrelly as the best, but Viggo Mortensen, who played the role of Tony "Chatterbox" in the same film, was also named the best actor of the year.
In Viggo’s character, there was still some dissatisfaction with his activities. He often told reporters in interviews that he wanted to quit filming and do something else. However, while the actor continues to play, however, Viggo Mortensen can only afford to act where he wants.
Literary and publishing activities of Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen tried his hand at other areas. He created the Perceval Press, which published his works, among others. The actor has been interested in photography since his school years, but he decided to demonstrate his achievements only under the influence of his friend Dennis Hopper (also an actor). In 2000, Viggo Mortensen showed an exhibition of his work.
Mortensen also demonstrated musical talents. He recorded three albums of jazz music.
Viggo Mortensen is interested in politics, he supported Bernie Sanders in the US presidential election, as befits a man from the movie “Captain Fantastic”.
Personal life of Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen is very charming and attractive, his personal life is rich, like that of other movie stars. Mortensen is a hit with women. The actor met his first wife in 1987 on the set of the film “Salvation.” His chosen one, Exine Cervenka , was an extravagant lead singer of a punk rock band and easily won over the guy. Therefore, the couple got married quite quickly. A year later, their son Henry was born (1988), and the family decided to move to the quiet state of Idaho.
However, in 1992 the couple decided to live separately, and in 1997 the marriage was dissolved. But Viggo and Exin maintained a good relationship. Their son lived either with his mother or with his father, as his parents periodically went on filming or touring.
Mortensen's second wife was actress Ariadna Gil , whom he met on the set of the film Captain Alatriste.
Viggo Mortensen loves football and hockey, his favorite player is Diego Maradona . In hockey, he sympathizes with the Montreal Canadiens, even wearing the club's sweater on the set of The Lord of the Rings.
Personal life
The Hollywood star was legally married only once. His love for music brought him closer to the composer and singer Exene Cervenka. They legalized their relationship in 1987. A year later, the couple had a son, Henry. But in 1997, when the boy was 10 years old, Exene and Viggo broke up.
Viggo Mortensen's personal life changed for the better in 2006, when the artist met his colleague Ariadne Gil on the set of the film Captain Alatriste. Since then, the couple has been together, but their relationship is not burdened by the bonds of official marriage.
Personal life of Viggo Mortensen
Poet, surfer, musician
Some plans could not be implemented. Viggo himself refused some roles (for example, Chris Hemsworth starred in Snow White and the Huntsman instead). In a number of cases, other actors were preferred to him (for example, Ra's Al Ghul in Nolan's Batman was played by Liam Neeson, although Mortensen was also cast).
Viggo has one child - son Henry, who has long been an adult. Mortensen was also married only once - to the composer and singer Exene Cervenka. They are now divorced. Exene was replaced by a new lover, Spanish actress Ariadna Gil, with whom Viggo starred in 2006.
The actor writes poetry, enjoys surfing, and has released his own music albums (he is a jazz fan). And on his shoulder there is a tattoo - a memory of his work on Tolkien’s trilogy. All the actors who played members of The Fellowship of the Ring (except for the British Rhys-Davies) got tattoos in the form of the elven number 9.
In 2006, Viggo became close to the Spaniard Ariadna Gil - they say she is still his girlfriend.
Filmography
- The Last Voyage of Demeter (2021) ... Henry Clemens
- Green Book (2018) ... Tony Lip
- Captain Fantastic (2016) ... Ben
- Far from people / Loin des hommes (2014) ... Daru
- The Two Faces of January (2014) ... Chester MacFarland
- Jauja (2014) ... Gunnar Dinesen
- On the Road (2012) ... Old Bull Lee / William S. Burroughs
- Everybody Has a Plan (2012) ... Agustín/Pedro
- A Dangerous Method (2011) ... Sigmund Freud
- Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street
- Legacy (2010) … Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Years of the Montreal Canadiens (2009) ... voice-over
- The Road (2009) ... Man
- Appaloosa (2008) ... Everett Hitch
- Good (2008) ... Halder
- Vice for Export / Eastern Promises (2007) ... Nikolai
- Captain Alatriste / Alatriste (2006) ... Diego Alatriste
- Justified Cruelty / A History of Violence (2005) ... Tom Stall
- Hidalgo: Desert Chase / Hidalgo (2004) ... Frank Hopkins
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) ... AragornTop100
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) (computer game) ... Aragorn
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) ... Aragorn
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) ... AragornTop100
- 28 Days (2000) ... Eddie Boone
- A Walk on the Moon (1999) ... Walker Jerome
- A Perfect Murder (1998) ... David Shaw
- Psycho / Psycho (1998) … Sam Loomis
- Vanishing Point (1997) ... Jimmy Kowalski
- My Brother's Weapon / La pistola de mi hermano (1997) ... Juanito
- GI Jane (1997) Master Chief John James Urgayle
- Albino Alligator (1996) ... Guy Foucard
- Daylight (1996) ... Roy Nord
- Portrait of a Lady (1996) ... Caspar Goodwood
- Black Velvet Pantsuit (1995) ... Worthless Junkie
- Crimson Tide (1995) ... Lt. Peter `Weps` Ince
- Gimlet (1995) ... Hombre
- The Prophecy (1995) ... Lucifer
- Dark Noon / The Passion of Darkly Noon (1995) ... Clay
- Floundering (1994) ... Homeless Man
- On the High Seas / The Crew (1994) ... Phillip
- Gospel According to Harry (1994) ... Wes
- American Yakuza (1993) ... Nick Davis/David Brandt
- The Young Americans (1993) ... Carl Frazer
- Carlito's Way (1993) ... Lalin
- Ruby Cairo (1993) ... John E. 'Johnny' Faro
- Boiling Point (1993) ... Ronnie
- The Indian Runner (1991) ... Frank Roberts
- Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory (1990) ... John W. Poe
- Once in a Blue Moon (1990)
- The Reflecting Skin (1990) ... Cameron Dove
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3: Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) ... Tex
- Tripwire (1989) ... Hans
- Fresh Horses (1988) ... Green
- Prison (1988) ... Burke/Forsythe Electrocution
- Salvation!: Have You Said Your Prayers Today? (1987) ...Jerome Stample
- Witness (1985) ... Moses Hochleitner
- George Washington (1984) (TV series) ... Lieutenant at LeBoeuf
- Miami Vice (1984-1989) (TV series) ... Detective Eddie Trumbull
- ABC Afterschool Specials / ABC Afterschool Specials (1972-1995) (TV series) ... Tim
- Search for Tomorrow (1951-1986) (TV series) ... Bragg
Video
Biography of Viggo Mortensen
Argentine childhood
Mortensen also speaks Spanish well: he and his parents lived for a long time in Spanish-speaking countries, including Argentina. Viggo, who was born on October 20, 1958, got both his first and last names from his Danish father - they are namesakes. Mom was American. Therefore, in the end, the family settled in the States.
Viggo got his first acting experience on Broadway in his early 20s. He performed well. Then he took part in several TV series. When the actor was 26 years old, Australian Peter Weir's film Witness was released, in which Mortensen had a small role. The central character of the twice-Oscar-winning crime drama was played by Harrison Ford; one of the roles was played by the “defector” Alexander Godunov. The film was about a boy from the Amish sect who witnessed a murder.
Bad Boys
The string of looks Viggo created in the 1990s isn't very impressive. The threequel to the horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", in which this handsome guy got the role of a maniac, or Sean Penn's low-budget "The Fugitive Indian" cannot be called masterpieces. In 1993, De Palma's cult film Carlito's Way was released, but Mortensen again played a minor role. Of course, it was interesting to see the Dane play the terrifying Lucifer in the 1995 film The Prophecy, but the main roles were still to come.
In the late 1990s, several films were released that finally revealed the talent of this performer. This is a harsh drama about the military life of a lady who wanted to join the ranks on an equal basis with men, “GI Jane” (Mortensen played the officer simply brilliantly). This is “A Perfect Murder” with Douglas and Paltrow (Viggo was very successful in the image of a handsome scoundrel who betrayed his beloved, you just had to put pressure on him). The film was a remake of the famous Hitchcock thriller “Dial M for Murder.” Ironically, another work from 1998 was an attempt to remake this master’s masterpiece. But, alas, Van Sant did not succeed very well. Although Viggo Mortensen looked convincing in the Psycho remake.
Aragorn is magnificent
Now we cannot imagine the Lord of the Rings trilogy without Elijah Wood, McKellen or the same Mortensen. But initially Jackson did not see him in the role of Aragorn. Head in the Clouds and Queen of the Damned star Stuart Townsend has already begun filming The Fellowship of the Ring. But the handsome Irishman was only 28 years old. And the director realized that he was mistaken: an excellent warrior, a ranger who spent years in exile, the future king Aragorn should have looked older. And the New Zealander replaced Townsend with Mortensen (Viggo was a little over 40 at that time).
This role became an unexpected precious gift and instantly made the artist famous. He gave his all during the filming, received many injuries during the carnage scenes, and performed all the stunts himself. The love scenes between Aragorn and Arwen were very beautiful; in conversation they often switched to the Elvish language (Tolkien's invention). Viggo is a real polyglot, it cost him nothing to chat in this non-existent dialect.
Collaboration with Cronenberg
Mortensen collaborated with cult director Cronenberg several times in his career.
The first time was in 2005 (the thriller Justified Cruelty), the last time was in 2011 (A Dangerous Method, for the role of the legendary scientist Sigmund Freud, the actor was nominated for a Golden Globe).
Someone considers one of the best roles of the artist Nikolai Luzhin from the detective story “Vice for Export” (his only Oscar nomination). In this film, Cronenberg touched on the topic of the Russian mafia operating outside its native country. It turned out a little naive - but this is still how foreigners imagine us. What to do!
