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From Pedro Pascal's real name to almost quitting acting, 12 lesser-known facts about the actor
Updated On: 24 July, 2025 06:50 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar
Pedro Pascal has become one of Hollywood’s most beloved and versatile stars, thanks to standout roles in The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and Game of Thrones. While his charisma and talent are well known, there’s much more to the actor than meets the eye. Ahead of Fantastic Four: First Steps, here are 12 lesser-known facts that reveal the man behind the helmet
01
02.jpg "His real name isn’t Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal was born José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal. He began using \"Pascal,\" his mother’s surname, professionally to honor her after she passed away")
His real name isn’t Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal was born José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal. He began using "Pascal," his mother’s surname, professionally to honor her after she passed away
03.jpg "He was born in Chile but raised in the U.S.
Pedro was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1975. His family fled to the U.S. as political refugees during the Pinochet dictatorship and settled in Texas and later California")
He was born in Chile but raised in the U.S.
Pedro was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1975. His family fled to the U.S. as political refugees during the Pinochet dictatorship and settled in Texas and later California
04.jpg "He trained at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts
Pascal is a classically trained actor. He graduated from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, where he honed his theater and acting skills")
He trained at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts
Pascal is a classically trained actor. He graduated from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, where he honed his theater and acting skills
05.jpg "He has a strong theater background
Before becoming a screen sensation, Pascal performed in dozens of stage plays in New York and even won awards for his theater performances, including an L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award")
He has a strong theater background
Before becoming a screen sensation, Pascal performed in dozens of stage plays in New York and even won awards for his theater performances, including an L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award
06.jpg "He almost quit acting before Game of Thrones
Pascal considered giving up acting after years of small roles and rejections. His breakthrough came in 2014 when he played Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, a role that changed everything")
He almost quit acting before Game of Thrones
Pascal considered giving up acting after years of small roles and rejections. His breakthrough came in 2014 when he played Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, a role that changed everything
07.jpg "He’s childhood friends with Sarah Paulson
Pedro and actress Sarah Paulson (of American Horror Story fame) have been close friends since the 1990s. She supported him emotionally and even financially during his struggling actor days")
He’s childhood friends with Sarah Paulson
Pedro and actress Sarah Paulson (of American Horror Story fame) have been close friends since the 1990s. She supported him emotionally and even financially during his struggling actor days
08.jpg "Auditioned for The Mandalorian without knowing what it was
When he auditioned for the Disney+ series, the project was so secretive, he didn’t even know it was Star Wars-related. He only found out later that he’d be playing the title character")
Auditioned for The Mandalorian without knowing what it was
When he auditioned for the Disney+ series, the project was so secretive, he didn’t even know it was Star Wars-related. He only found out later that he’d be playing the title character
09.jpg "He’s a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan
Pedro has publicly admitted that he was obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show he later appeared on in a minor role back in 1999, which was one of his earliest TV gigs")
He’s a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan
Pedro has publicly admitted that he was obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show he later appeared on in a minor role back in 1999, which was one of his earliest TV gigs
10.jpg "He’s bilingual
Pedro Pascal speaks English and Spanish fluently, and has showcased his bilingual skills in both interviews and roles throughout his career")
He’s bilingual
Pedro Pascal speaks English and Spanish fluently, and has showcased his bilingual skills in both interviews and roles throughout his career
11.jpg "Lost his mother when he was 24
His mother, Verónica Pascal, died by suicide when Pedro was in his early 20s. Her death had a profound impact on his life, and he honors her by using her last name")
Lost his mother when he was 24
His mother, Verónica Pascal, died by suicide when Pedro was in his early 20s. Her death had a profound impact on his life, and he honors her by using her last name
12.jpg "He is a strong LGBTQ+ ally
Pedro is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. His younger sister, Lux Pascal, is a transgender actress and activist, and he proudly supports her journey and rights")
He is a strong LGBTQ+ ally
Pedro is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. His younger sister, Lux Pascal, is a transgender actress and activist, and he proudly supports her journey and rights
13.jpg "He doesn’t mind that The Mandalorian hides his face
Pedro has said he’s not bothered by wearing the helmet for most of The Mandalorian, joking that it's helped protect his privacy and gives him more freedom off-screen")
He doesn’t mind that The Mandalorian hides his face
Pedro has said he’s not bothered by wearing the helmet for most of The Mandalorian, joking that it's helped protect his privacy and gives him more freedom off-screen
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