Henry Mortenson’s Two Lord of the Rings Cameos Explained (and What Viggo’s Son Is Doing Now)

Viggo Mortenson’s most famous film role, by far, is that of the heroic Aragorn in Lord of the Rings films, and his son, Henry Mortenson, even appeared in two separate cameos. Throughout Peter Jackson’s award-winning work Lord of the Rings trilogy, Aragorn, of the race of Men, is one of Frodo’s (Elijah Wood) companions who embarks on the dangerous quest to destroy the One Ring in Mordor. Although lives are lost along the way, Frodo and co. They are successful in their mission, and Aragorn, in particular, lives happily ever after, marrying Arwen (Liv Tyler) and becoming King of Gondor.

Henry Mortensen was born on January 28, 1988, to father Viggo and mother Exene Cervenkawho is best known for singing in the California punk rock band X. As a boy, Henry had a few small roles in films, performing “Homeless Child” in Debating (1994) and Darin Hayes in Blue Tiger (also 1994). He even played Viggo’s on-screen son Henry Ince in 1995 Crimson Tide. However, these roles probably pale in comparison when it comes to appearing in the epic Lord of the Rings films, even for some short appearances.

Henry Mortenson played a recruit Rohan Boy and an orc in The Lord of the Rings franchise

His uncredited appearances were in the second and third LOTR films.

Viggo Mortensen was a hero in front of and behind the camera in Lord of the Ringsas the modest actor repaired his own Aragorn costume during filming. However, he was an even bigger hero to his son, Henry Mortensen, for getting him not one, but two cameos in the film. Lord of the Rings films.

Henry’s first SDA the appearance was in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towersin which he played a young recruit for Rohanhelping to prepare for the Battle of Helm’s Deep. This is a crucial battle Lord of the Ringsin which the Rohan army decimates Saruman’s forces.

Henry was also had the opportunity to play a Pelennor Orc in the Best Film award Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Although it was an uncredited role, it is very likely that young Henry had a lot of fun dressing up as a mythical creature in the fantasy world of Lord of the Rings.

Henry Mortenson convinced his father Viggo to play Aragorn

Viggo had never read The Lord of the Rings and didn’t know who Aragorn was.

Henry Mortensen’s contributions to the Lord of the Rings the films weren’t his little cameos, though. If it weren’t for him, his father, Viggo, might very well not have taken on the role of Aragorn. It is well documented that Stuart Townsend was originally cast to play Aragorn, although Jackson believed he was too young for the role. WWhen Viggo Mortensen was approached, he was initially skeptical about taking on the role.

In a 2019 appearance on Live with Kelly and RyanViggo said: “I start slowly and I know you need to be convinced to take on most of the roles… … I hadn’t read the books and was a last minute replacement. They were already filming.“However, a 11-year-old Henry knew exactly who Aragorn was and was thrilled that he was the character his father wanted. Vigo said:

They were already filming, and my son said, he was 11 at the time, he said ‘Dad, who are you playing?’ And I said: ‘It’s the guy, he’s with the little people from the bush.’… [Henry said] ‘Dad, that guy with the little ones in the forest. He becomes the king!

Viggo hadn’t realized he was being asked to play such a majestic role, andwith more encouragement from Henry -“You have to do this! You have to do this!“, the actor signed a contract with Peter Jackson’s project. Aragorn became the biggest role of Viggo Mortensen’s career and he often talks about his wonderful experience filming the Lord of the Rings films, along with the countless career opportunities this opened up for him. And it’s all thanks to his son, Henry.

Where is Henry Mortensen now

Viggo’s son continued to act and directed a documentary

Henry Mortensen did not do much immediately after his death. Lord of the Rings cameos, although he kept busy. In 2010, he graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Archeology. He also works for Percival Press, a publisher co-founded by Viggo Mortensen specializing in poetry, art and critical writing books (via Super Highway Poetry).

The 2020s saw Henry Mortensen slowly return to actingmostly in lesser-known projects, although he did appear in the film starring Zac Efron The biggest beer race of all time (2022) as a “Baby Killer Protestor”. Henry also launched a film career and directed the musical documentary Skating Polly: Ugly Pop (2021). He has come a long way since his Lord of the Rings cameos, and it will be exciting to see what Henry Mortensen do next.