5 things you probably didn't know about 'Game of Thrones' star Kit Harington
- Kit Harington is known for his portrayal of Jon Snow on the HBO series "Game of Thrones," which premiered in 2011 and concluded in 2019 after eight seasons.
- Even though the actor has been in the spotlight for years, there are some things that fans might not know about him.
- For example, his favorite book is George Orwell's "1984."
- Harington is also a nervous flyer and has to touch the outside of the plane three times before he gets in.
Kit Harington became an A-list star after landing a starring role on HBO's "Game of Thrones," which premiered in 2011. Since then, he's been nominated for two Emmys and several SAG Awards. The show concluded in May 2019 after eight seasons and Harington went on to nab his first-ever Golden Globe nomination.
Outside of playing Jon Snow, Harington has lent his voice to a character in "How to Train Your Dragon 2," starred as a gladiator in the 2014 movie "Pompeii," and appeared in the miniseries "Gunpowder."
He showed off his comedic side in an "audition tape" for the next "How to Train Your Dragon" movie and starred as Austin in the British theater production of "True West."
Next, you can see him portray Dane Whitman in Marvel's upcoming movie "Eternals," in theaters on November 5, 2021.
Here are five things you probably didn't know about Harington.
He didn't know that his name wasn’t actually Kit until he was 11.
Harington didn't realize that his name is Christopher until he went to school and had to fill out exam papers.
"I put down 'Kit Harington,' and they [the teachers] looked at me like I was completely stupid, and they said, 'No, you're Christopher Harington, I'm afraid,'" Harington told Interview magazine in 2013. "It was only then I learned my actual name. That was kind of a bizarre existential crisis for an 11-year-old to have, but in the end, I always stuck with Kit, because I felt that's who I was. I'm not really a 'Chris.'"
His favorite book is "1984."
Harington's favorite fictional character is Winston Smith, the protagonist in George Orwell's best-selling dystopian novel. The book was published in 1949.
If Harington wasn't acting, he thinks he'd probably be involved in journalism or photography.
Harington told Esquire UK in 2018 that he'd gravitate toward "something in the creative industries," but also "liked the idea" of being a war correspondent.
He's a nervous flyer and has a few pre-flight rituals.
The actor told Condé Nast Traveler in 2012 that he used to enjoy being in planes, but his fear has "gotten worse" since traveling more for "Game of Thrones."
"I used to love it, but now I imagine being 30,000 feet in the air," he said. "Each time I fly it feels more unnatural. I get more jittery."
To cope with his nervous tendencies, Harington carries a lucky pen that he's owned since he was a child and has a specific routine.
"Every time I get on a plane I have to touch the outside of the plane three times before I get in."
Prior to landing a role on "Game of Thrones," Harington hated George R.R. Martin.
He used to work at Waterstones bookshop in England and recalled frequently having to carry the author's popular novels around.
"I used to have to lug down the books and George's always sold like hotcakes, so I was constantly having to re-stack them and they were just so heavy because they're so huge," he told Zap2it in 2015.
"I remember cursing him," Harington continued. "I've told him this many times. I couldn't stand that I was constantly having to carry down and replace all these f---ing books. I'd fill up the shelves and they'd sell out in a day."
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