Pedro Pascal is not only a talented Hollywood star — he’s one of the Internet’s biggest crushes! In Touch rounds up what fans want to know about The Last of Us star’s life and career.
Who Is Pedro Pascal?
Pedro is a Chilean-American actor who quickly endeared himself to fans with his wholesome personality, quippy sense of humor and his proclivity for playing beloved paternal characters, from Din Djarin in The Mandalorian to Joel Miller in The Last of Us.
What Is Pedro Pascal’s Full Name?
Pedro Pascal
While he goes by Pedro Pascal professionally, the actor frequently introduces himself as José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal in interviews – and the internet goes wild every time! So much so, that there is an abundance of TikToks and Instagram Reel compilations of him pronouncing his full name as fans swoon in the comments sections.
Pedro Pascal and His Parents Were Refugees
Pedro was born in Santiago, Chile, but his parents left the country as political refugees when he was a baby.
“We fled a dictatorship and I was privileged enough to grow up in the United States after asylum in Denmark,” he told the crowd at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. “If it weren’t for that, I don’t know what would have happened to us.”
Pedro Pascal’s Biggest TV and Movie Roles
Pedro has been acting professionally since the late 1990s, but his major breakout role came in 2014 when he was cast as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones. Not only was he a fan-favorite for his charm, bravery and quick wit, but his death was also one of the most memorable on the show.
From 2015 to 2017, he starred as former DEA agent Javier Peña in Narcos. Two years after the show ended, he played the titular role in Disney+’s The Mandalorian, winning viewers’ hearts all over again due to his adorable bond with Grogu.
Pedro Pascal
More recently, he starred as Joel in The Last of Us. In the show, which is based off of a popular video game franchise, the gruff but lovable smuggler finds himself begrudgingly responsible for a teenage girl (Bella Ramsey) who might be the key to saving the world. Much like Game of Thrones, viewers were left heartbroken when his character was suddenly and brutally killed on screen.
Some of his earliest television appearances were in Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1999, Touched by an Angel in 2000 and NYPD Blue in 2001. He later snagged recurring roles in hit shows such as The Good Wife and The Mentalist. Fans will also recognize him from films like Kingsman: The Golden Circle, If Beale Street Could Talk, Wonder Woman 1984, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and Gladiator II.
Pedro Pascal Is an Advocate for the LGBTQ+ Community
The actor has been an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ+ community throughout his career. In April 2025, he went viral for wearing a white T-shirt that read “PROTECT THE DOLLS” while attending the U.K. premiere of Marvel’s Thunderbolts. The shirt refers to a nickname given to transgender women in the LGBTQ+ community.
Pedro Pascal
He also frequently voices his support for his sister, Lux Pascal, who came out as transgender in February 2021.
“My entire heart is set on, you know, the marginalized underdog,” he explained in a 2023 interview with Wired. “It’s not a choice. Like, how dare anyone not support the people that are deserving of support, and are deserving of protection and need more of it than you do.”
Pedro Pascal’s Wild Coffee Order Had Fans Buzzing
Pedro is all about his caffeine for those long days on sets! His unique coffee order was first revealed when he was caught on video signing autographs with fans while holding a cup that confirmed he’d ordered a venti iced quad with extra ice and six shots of espresso.
“At some point, it became six [shots of espresso], and it was an incredibly private morning ritual that I never wanted anyone to know about,” he joked during a March 2025 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I don’t have more coffee for the rest of the day, I swear.”
Pedro Pascal Will Play Reed Richards From ‘The Fantastic 4’
One of his latest career achievements is his journey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards AKA Mister Fantastic. According to IMDb, he’s already slated to appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Several other actors, including David Tennant (Dr. Who) and Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass) previously expressed interest in the role. John Krasinski (The Office) also briefly played a version of the character in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
