Article Tag: Henry Mortensen

Several of Viggo Mortensen's photographs from the filming of LOTR.

The usual FAQs about Viggo Mortensen plus some details that were new to us. Topics include early films, being calmed by horses, that scar on his lip, art and music, university, and Henry.

Extensive interview and article about Viggo's films, art, music, life. Great quotes from Dennis Hopper, Diane Lane, art dealer Robert Mann, and several others Viggo has worked with. Photographs (including cover) by Bruce Weber, plus several from his childhood.

Extensive in-depth article on Viggo's film career, his role as Aragorn, the challenge of dealing with new-found fame, creative pursuits, his relationship with Henry, the filming of Hidalgo, and philosophy of life. Wonderful photos by Terry Richardson. Excerpt: "Throughout an hour of conversation, these themes are woven into the fabric of every thought: an open mind; humility; doing your best; a constant quest to learn and enrich your life. 'There is only one kind of actor, and that's a supporting actor,' he says, meaning that even in a lead role you are always supporting the vision of the director. 'In a movie, you're raw material, just a hue of some colour and the director makes the painting.'"

Feature on actors and their children includes a page about Viggo Mortensen, with photographs taken by his son Henry and quotes from both. "What's the most special thing about being a father? Everything," says Viggo. And Henry echoes, "What's special about my dad is... everything." (scan)

A brief, flirty interview about Viggo's "Renaissance Man" qualifications, film career, and the rocky start to his art career. Excerpt: "A couple days ago, I looked at all [my] paintings, and I was like, 'I don't know what these are.' Then it snowballed. 'What kind of actor am I anyway? What kind of father? I mean what a joke. God, I'm such a vain, self-involved creature, and I should just stop making these things and inflicting them on people!' I can see why people jump out of windows."

A fun interview in which Viggo shares stories from the filming of movies from Witness to A Walk on the Moon, and describes his drag queen screen test for To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.

In this interview prior to his trip to Italy, Viggo discusses the difficulty of staying in character while filming two very different roles simultaneously (Portrait of a Lady and Daylight). He also shares thoughts about Crimson Tide and other prior movies, and about the challenges of balancing films with his private life. Great photos by Bruce Weber.