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Date of birth (location)
October 20, 1958
Manhattan, New York, USA
Mini-Biography:
Born in New York to a Danish father and an American mother, Mortensen spent the early part of his childhood in Manhattan. His family traveled a great deal and he spent several years living in Venezuela, Argentina and Denmark. He began acting in New York, studying with Warren Robertson. He appeared in several plays and movies, and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where his performance in "Bent" at the Coast Playhouse earned him a Drama-logue Critic's Award. Mortensen is also an accomplished poet, photographer and painter.
Interesting Facts:
Viggo is the ex-husband of Exene Cervenka, the singer of the punk band X.
Had a book of poetry printed before he was known. The title: "Ten Last Night."
Speaks fluent English, Spanish and Danish.
Father of Henry Mortensen.
He actually painted the large murals in his artist's studio in the film Perfect Murder, A (1998).
Lived in South America from age 2 to age 11.
Is a photographer.
Has been photographing for years, recently debuted with an exhibition at the Robert Mann Gallery in NYC. - American Photo, July/August 2000
Writes poetry in his spare time.
Is also a jazz musician - he has released three CDs so far.
Worked as a truck driver while living in Denmark
Lost a tooth while filming a fight sequence for "The Fellowship of the Ring".
Replaced Stuart Townsend in the role of Aragorn/Strider in The Lord of the Rings, after filming began.
Got so into his character of Aragorn that 'The Lord Of The Rings' director Peter Jackson once addressed him as Aragorn for over half an hour, and Viggo didn't even realise it.
Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002
Has two younger brothers
Graduated from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York in 1980 with a degree in Government and Spanish.
An accomplished horseback rider in his spare time, Mortensen requested that his Lord of the Rings trilogy character Aragorn/Strider be given much more saddle-time than was originally scripted. He also kept his on-screen horse nearby during the entire principal photography schedule in order to ride in his off-hours and strengthen his relationship with the horse.