José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal

Early Life & Education

José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal was born April 2, 1975, in Santiago, Chile. His family fled the Pinochet dictatorship soon after, settling in Denmark and then the United States. Raised in San Antonio, Texas and Orange County, California, he developed a passion for acting as a teenager. Pascal attended the Orange County School of the Arts and later earned a BFA in drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Career

Theatre & Early Work

Pascal spent nearly two decades building his craft through New York’s vibrant theatre scene (including a Broadway debut in King Lear in 2019) and guest roles on TV such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Law & Order, The Good Wife, and Homeland.

Breakthrough: Game of Thrones (2014)

His breakout role came as Oberyn Martell (“the Red Viper”) in season 4 of HBO’s Game of Thrones. The charismatic, vengeful prince became an instant fan favorite, and Pascal’s performance received widespread acclaim, with critics hailing it as a “tipping point” in his career. His iconic death scene in “The Mountain and the Viper” became one of the show’s most memorable moments.

Ascendancy: Narcos, Star Wars, and Beyond

• Narcos (2015–2017): Starred as DEA agent Javier Peña in Netflix’s acclaimed cartel drama, expanding his global profile.
• The Mandalorian (2019–2023): As masked bounty hunter Din Djarin in Disney+’s Star Wars series, Pascal led one of the most popular streaming shows of the decade.
• The Last of Us (2023–): Cast as Joel Miller in HBO’s adaptation of the blockbuster video game, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and cementing his reputation as a leading man.
• Wonder Woman 1984 (2020): Played villain Maxwell Lord in the DCEU sequel.
• Gladiator II (2024): Cast in Ridley Scott’s high-profile sequel.
• Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025): Cast as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Film Highlights

• The Equalizer 2 (2018)
• Triple Frontier (2019)
• The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
• Strange Way of Life (2023 short film with Pedro Almodóvar)
• The Materialists (2025)
• Eddington (2025)

Other TV & Media

• Starred in We Can Be Heroes (2020), Prospect (2018), and appeared in Graceland, The Mentalist and NYPD Blue earlier on.
• Notable music video appearances: Sia’s “Fire Meet Gasoline” (2015).

Voice and Stage Work

• Voice acting includes animation and game adaptations.
• Theatre appearances include Shakespeare in the Park, Much Ado About Nothing and prominent Off-Broadway roles.

Complete Works

Film

• Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
• The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
• Strange Way of Life (2023)
• Gladiator II (2024)
• The Materialists (2025)
• Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
• Eddington (2025)
• Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
• The Great Wall (2016)
• The Equalizer 2 (2018)
• Triple Frontier (2019)
• Prospect (2018)

Television

• Game of Thrones (2014; Oberyn Martell)
• Narcos (2015–2017)
• The Mandalorian (2019–2023; Din Djarin)
• The Last of Us (2023– )
• Homeland, The Good Wife, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Law & Order (guest appearances)
• Graceland (recurring)

Stage

• King Lear (2019)
• Much Ado About Nothing, various Off-Broadway and Public Theater productions

Music Videos

• Sia – “Fire Meet Gasoline” (2015)
• Appearances for other artists

Net Worth & Endorsements

Estimated $25 million from film and television salaries, endorsements, narration, and branding partnerships (including fragrance and luxury fashion collaborations).

Awards & Recognition

• Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble (nominee) — Game of Thrones
• Primetime Emmy nominee: The Last of Us
• Golden Globe nominee: The Last of Us
• Time 100: Named one of the world’s most influential people (2023)
• Multiple critics choice and fandom awards for The Mandalorian and Game of Thrones

Personal Life & Philanthropy

Pascal is known for his support of LGBTQ+ rights (his sister, Lux, is a transgender activist), refugee causes, and anti-authoritarian advocacy rooted in his family’s escape from dictatorship. While intensely private romantically, he is recognized for his humorous, supportive off-screen persona and nurturing “found family” relationships with co-stars. He holds dual Chilean and American citizenship.

Trivia & Fun Facts

• Speaks fluent Spanish and English
• Known as “the Internet’s Daddy” due to his compelling father-figure roles
• Lifelong Star Wars fan—fulfilled a childhood dream starring in The Mandalorian
• Remains close friends with Oscar Isaac and other NY theatre peers

Upcoming Projects

• Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (MCU)
• Eddington (2025)
• Other film, television, and producing roles in development