Pedro Pascal’s Unlikely Rise: How He Became a Star After 40

Pedro Pascal’s path to stardom is a rare one in the entertainment industry. While most actors who make it big tend to do so in their twenties or thirties, Pascal’s major breakthrough didn’t arrive until he was nearly 40. After years of hard slog and bit parts, he finally caught the world’s attention with a standout role in Game of Thrones, and his career has only gathered pace since.

Early Days: Grit, Graft, and Getting By

Born in Chile, Pascal’s family left the country following political upheaval in the late 1970s, eventually settling in the United States. He spent his early years in Texas and then California, before heading to New York to study at the Tisch School of the Arts. Back then, he went by Peter Balmaceda and, like many aspiring actors, juggled odd jobs to make ends meet. Waiting tables in New York, he often found himself sacked for prioritising auditions over shifts. As he put it,

I was getting my a** f**king kicked. I guess this delusional self-determination, and no real skill at anything else, is what kept me going.

During this time, Pascal built a close-knit group of mates from the local acting scene, including Sarah Paulson, who occasionally helped him out with cash for food. Despite the setbacks, he kept at it, driven by a stubborn belief in his own potential.

Years in the Wilderness: Bit Parts and Missed Chances

Pascal’s early career was a patchwork of small roles across television and theatre. From the late 1990s, he popped up in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Good Wife, Homeland, The Mentalist, and Law & Order. A residual cheque from Buffy once helped him out when he was down to his last few dollars. He also made a name for himself on stage, picking up a few awards along the way.

He came close to landing a regular spot on the HBO series Looking, but the casting didn’t pan out. That twist of fate turned out to be a blessing, as it freed him up to audition for Game of Thrones. A self-confessed fan of the series, he was thrilled to join the cast in its fourth season, playing Oberyn Martell—a role that finally put him on the map.

Television Triumphs: From Cult Favourite to Leading Man

Pascal’s turn in Game of Thrones opened doors to bigger opportunities. He soon landed a major part in Narcos, playing DEA agent Javier Peña, and later took on the lead in the show’s third season. He also popped up as a villain in films like Kingsman: The Golden Circle and The Equalizer 2.

His profile soared when he was cast as the lead in The Mandalorian, a Star Wars spin-off that became a massive hit. He’s set to return to the role in an upcoming film. In 2023, he starred as Joel Miller in the TV adaptation of The Last of Us, earning two Emmy nominations and a SAG Award for his performance. Alongside these, he’s appeared in Wonder Woman 1984 and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, but it’s his television work that’s made him a household name.

Box Office Success and Studio Demand

Now in his fifties, Pascal is in high demand, with studios lining up to cast him in major projects. Since his breakout in The Last of Us, he’s featured in a string of films, including a voice role in The Wild Robot and a villainous turn in Gladiator II. In 2025, he appeared in two A24 productions and took on the role of Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which proved a box office smash.

His recent films have collectively grossed over $1.6 billion, and he’s got more high-profile projects on the way, including The Mandalorian & Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday, both set for release in 2026. Pascal’s late-blooming success is a rare feat in the industry, making his story all the more remarkable.