we don’t put enough respect on Viggo Mortensen’s name. He was largely unknown before LOTR, catapulted to superstardom, and loudly opposed the Iraq War when it was wildly detrimental to do so. Did like 1 or 2 blockbusters post-LOTR and then became Cronenberg’s muse
Viggo Mortensen, who is fluent in English, Spanish, and Danish, brought that same linguistic passion to The Lord of the Rings. Mortensen actually requested script changes so that Aragorn could speak more lines in Elvish.
For Viggo, language wasn’t just decoration it was identity. Aragorn’s knowledge of Elvish reflected his deep connection to the Elves, his upbringing in Rivendell, and his place between worlds. Those quiet moments where Aragorn speaks Elvish weren’t accidental; they were the result of an actor who cared deeply about authenticity. It’s another example of how Mortensen didn’t just play Aragorn he helped shape him.
This linguistic passion extended far beyond the film. In addition to being fluent in English, Spanish, and Danish, Viggo is also highly proficient in French. He learned Catalan through his long-term relationship with Catalan actress Ariadna Gil, and he speaks it at a good conversational level. Living in Barcelona for periods of time helped him integrate into Catalan culture, and he has even given short speeches or interviews in Catalan on several occasions.
He also speaks Italian conversationally, can understand and speak some Norwegian and Swedish, and learned Arabic for a role. For Viggo, languages have always been more than tools they are deeply tied to identity and belonging, just like Aragorn’s use of Elvish. This authenticity and depth is what made his portrayal of the character so layered and real.