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Why Is The Internet Gushing Over Pedro Pascal? All About The 'Materialists' Star

Pascal began his career back in 1999, but it wasn’t until 2014 that he got his breakthrough as Oberyn Nymeros Martell in Game of Thrones. He did odd jobs to support himself during times of extreme hardship.

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Khushi Dwivedi
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Pedro Pascal in a scene from Materialists | Image: YouTube

When Celine Song's Materialists was announced last year, we expected either Dakota Johnson or Chris Evans to be the sole frontrunners of the project. Enter Pedro Pascal as Harry Castillo, who ultimately stole the show with his undeniable charm. Pedro's popularity has been skyrocketing in recent years. But has it all been glitz and glamour for the internet’s latest heartthrob? 

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Pedro began his career back in 1999, but it wasn’t until 2014 that he got his breakthrough as Oberyn Nymeros Martell in the critically acclaimed show Game of Thrones. During his struggling days, he worked waiting jobs at restaurants to make ends meet. His close friend, American actress Sarah Paulson, even gave him her daily allowance during times of extreme hardship. He also took on roles as a theatre director during this period.

Road to Hollywood

José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal was born on April 2, 1975, in Santiago, Chile. His father, José Balmaceda Riera, a fertility doctor, hailed from Castilian-Basque democratic roots. His mother, Verónica Pascal Ureta, was a child psychologist. After her passing, Pedro adopted her surname as his stage name in her memory.

Pedro's parents were listed as political enemies during the 1973 Chilean coup d’état when the country fell under the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. The family eventually received political asylum in Denmark before relocating to San Antonio, Texas.

Pedro pursued acting at the Orange County School of the Arts, graduating in 1993, and later attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, from which he graduated in 1997.

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He has an elder sister, Javiera, and two younger siblings, Nicolás and Lux. A longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Pedro has openly supported his sister, Lux Pascal, who came out as transgender.

Pedro's popularity

'The Red Viper of Dorne' gave Pascal the break he needed. His cold-blooded yet magnetic portrayal of the character left audiences captivated. He followed it up with acclaimed roles in Narcos, Prospect, The Mandalorian, and The Last of Us, cementing his global appeal.

Pedro's effortless charm has become the secret sauce behind his meteoric rise. Whether he's making goofy jokes on Saturday Night Live or giving his co-stars a shoutout, his warmth seemingly cuts through Hollywood's usual 'polish'. 

Pedro's authenticity has become his brand, with fans and colleagues drawn to his grounded nature and unfiltered humour. Recently, dozens of New Yorkers came together for a Pedro Pascal lookalike contest as a playful tribute to the actor’s skyrocketing popularity.

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Here's how the internet sees Pedro Pascal

 

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In Celine Song's Materialists, Pascal’s portrayal of Harry earned the fan seal of approval. Whether it’s his undeniable on-screen charisma or his effortlessly charming off-screen banter with Dakota Johnson, audiences are now eagerly awaiting more of Pedro Pascal.

Pedro Pascal Game of Thrones Hollywood