Viggo Mortensen celebrates 68th birthday

Actor Viggo Mortensen, widely recognized for his portrayal of Aragorn in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, is celebrating his 68th birthday. Born on October 20, 1958, in Manhattan, New York, the American-Danish actor had a multicultural upbringing, spending significant time in Venezuela, Argentina, and Denmark.

Mortensen nearly missed the role that defined his career; the part of Aragorn was originally intended for Stuart Townsend, but Mortensen was cast shortly before filming began after encouragement from his son, Henry. Beyond acting, Mortensen is a multi-disciplinary artist involved in directing, poetry, photography, painting, and music. His recent work includes the 2023 western 'The Dead Don't Hurt,' which he directed.

He currently maintains a relatively private life, residing in Madrid with Spanish actress Ariadna Gil, while also spending time in the United States.