Tragic death of Pedro Pascal’s mum changed his life forever

Pedro Pascal has been on our screens everywhere in recent years from Narcos to The Mandalorian and of course The Last of Us in recent times.

The Chilean actor has also won many awards in his time, including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and Garland Award for his role in the International City Theater production of Orphans.

But the journey to being one of Hollywood's most recognizable actors hasn't exactly been plain sailing - and he's previously opened up about the devastating impact his mother's death still has on him today.

Pascal is the son of Verónica Pascal, a child psychologist, and José Balmaceda, a fertility doctor.

AFF / Alamy Stock Photo

At just nine months old, Pascal and his parents fled Chile as a result of being part of the opposition movement against Augusto Pinochet’s military dictatorship.

They took refuge in Denmark and later in San Antonio, Texas. Speaking to EFE regarding this experience, Pascal said: "They offered us political asylum in Denmark and shortly after they received a job offer in the US.

"For that reason, that opportunity, I grew up here. That is the power of our culture. People from all over the world come to this country to offer their skills."

And in an interview with People in 2020, Pascal admitted that he argued with his parents a lot in his youth.

When he was 11, Pascal moved to California, and this is when his acting career really started.

But in 2000, a real tragedy happened in Pascal's life when he was just 24 years old.

While struggling to make his way in acting, Pascal's mother took her own life.

HBO

Speaking about her tragic death with the Paula magazine in 2017, Pascal said: "The circumstances of my mother’s death made it very hard for us to remember her as the person she was.

"It hurts so much…Sometimes I feel anguished and I try to deal with it in the best possible way, because I know that my mother would not want me to do it any other way.

"She was the love of my life. I think about her every day."

As you'd probably expect, Pascal's career slowed down after his mother's death, but it did really take off with Game of Thrones.

In 2014, Pascal was introduced to many as Prince Oberyn Martell in the TV series.

After that, he started landing big roles such as ones in Narcos, Wonder Woman 1984, The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.