Kit Harington

December 26, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Actor Kit Harington, born on December 26, 1986, is best known for his multi-award nominated role as Jon Snow in the HBO fantasy drama series “Game of Thrones.” We’ll help you celebrate his special day right here!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Christopher Catesby Harington

Nickname:

Kit

Birth date:

December 26, 1986

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Capricorn

Height:

5' 8"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$14 million

Background

With his dark brooding looks, his luscious curly locks, and serious demeanor, Kit Harington has won the hearts and admiration of millions of fans and critics around the globe. Born Christopher Catesby Harington on December 26, 1986, in Acton, London, Harington is the son of Sir David Harington, the 15th Baronet, and Deborah, a playwright. He was named after the famous Elizabethan playwright, Christopher “Kit” Marlowe. Harington is known professionally as Kit because it was his childhood nickname. In fact, he didn’t know his name was Christopher until he was 11 years old. His zodiac sign is Capricorn and he is of English and Scottish descent.

Harington’s interest in acting was piqued when he watched a production of “Waiting for Godot” when he was 14. He attended the Central School of Speech and Drama, from which he graduated in 2008. Following his acting debut on stage in the National Theater’s production of “War Horse,” which won two Olivier Awards, Harington had landed his breakout role. He played bastard-turned-king Jon Snow in the critically acclaimed and global phenomenon “Game of Thrones” series, based on the works of author George R.R. Martin. The character made Harington a household name. The eventual ending of the show in 2019 led to Harington suffering a nervous breakdown and the need for him to check into a wellness rehabilitation center.

He has spread his wings into writing and producing too, with him being at the helm of the B.B.C.’s “Gunpowder” series in 2017. In 2021, he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dane Whitman — The Black Knight — in the movie “Eternals.” A supporter of the soccer team Manchester United, Harington has a great love for photography, an apathy for social media, and great nervousness about flying. Harington is married to his former “Game of Thrones” co-star Rose Leslie, with whom he has a son. He’s currently making global headlines with the news that he is set to reprise his famous Jon Snow role in a spin-off of “Game of Thrones” for HBO.

Career timeline

2008 to 2010

He Becomes a Theater Actor

Harington steps into the spotlight as a theater actor, starring in the two-time Olivier-Award-winning production of “War Horse” at the National Theater.

2011 to 2019

“Game of Thrones”

For a decade, Harington and his co-stars thrill the world with their incredible performances in HBO’s fantasy series “Game of Thrones.”

2013

The Lead in a Hollywood Blockbuster

Harington stars as the lead gladiator in the epic film “Pompei.”

2017

His Own Show

Becoming a triple threat, Harington writes, stars in and executive produces the three-part series “Gunpowder” for the B.B.C.

2021

He Joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Joining a stellar cast, which includes Selma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, and his former “Game of Thrones” co-star Richard Madden, Harington joins the M.C.U. as Dane Whitman in the “Eternals” movie.

2022

Jon Snow Lives Again

The “Hollywood Reporter” reports that Harington is set to reprise his role of Jon Snow in a spin-off of “Game of Thrones.”

Why We Love Kit Harington

He is very private
Ever since 2015, when he was hounded by media and fans alike about whether Jon Snow was alive or not, Harington has avoided social media like the plague. He has no social media accounts and does not use any of the various platforms — we love that he keeps his life private.
He is as clueless as his character
Harington did not know that Kit was not his real name until he was 11 years old, and his teacher corrected his name on an exam. Like his character, he knew nothing about his birth name, and it’s adorable.
He is talented
There’s no denying that Harington is extremely talented. He brought his character in “Game of Thrones” to life like no one else could have.

5 Surprising Facts

He sold “Game of Thrones” books
Before starring in the show, Harington worked in a bookstore where George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” — the source material for the television series “Game of Thrones” — sold like hotcakes.
He is claustrophobic
The real reason that scene in the “Game of Thrones” episode “Battle of the Bastards” where his character is struggling to breathe in a mob of fighters feels so real is because Harington is extremely claustrophobic and his terror was genuine.
His ancestor invented the flushable toilet
You can thank Harington’s distant ancestor John Harington for your working flushable toilet, which he designed for Queen Elizabeth I.
The lack of attention on his birthday
Being born on Boxing Day, the holiday after Christmas, means people pay way less attention to Harington on his birthday than they normally would, and he gets grumpy about it.
His family are of old gentry stock
Harington hails from a long family line of earls, dukes, and viscounts — his father is the 15th Baronet of Harington.

Kit Harington FAQs

Are Kit Harington and Rose Leslie still married?

The former co-stars are happily married and welcomed their first child in 2021.

Did Kit Harington have a nervous breakdown?

The actor revealed in an interview on “The Jess Cagle Show” that the end of “Game of Thrones” led to his breakdown and he admitted himself into a wellness rehabilitation center.