Kit Harington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kit Harington
Kit Harington in 2019
Born	Christopher Catesby Harington (1986-12-26) 26 December 1986 (age 39) London, England
Education	Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2008–present
Spouse(s)	Rose Leslie ​ (m. 2018)​
Children	2
Relatives	Sir John Harington (ancestor) Robert Catesby (ancestor)

Christopher Catesby Harington, known worldwide as Kit Harington, is a popular English actor. He gained international fame playing the brave hero Jon Snow in the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones. His portrayal of the character earned him worldwide popularity and multiple major award nominations.

Harington began his professional career on stage in London after completing drama school. He starred in the award-winning production of War Horse at the Royal National Theatre. He later appeared in many major feature films, animated movies, and classic stage plays.

He has also performed voice roles in popular animated films, including the How to Train Your Dragon series. In addition to acting, Harington produces television dramas and supports numerous charitable causes across the United Kingdom.

Early life and background

Arms of the Harington baronets

Christopher Catesby Harington was born on 26 December 1986 in Acton, located in West London. His mother chose his name in honour of the famous playwright Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe was often called "Kit," which became Harington's everyday nickname.

Interestingly, Harington did not discover that his legal name was Christopher until he was eleven years old. His father is Sir David Harington, 15th Bt, a businessman, and his mother is Deborah Jane Catesby, an artist and former playwright. Through his family heritage, Harington is related to several notable historical British figures, including Robert Catesby.

Education and discovering theatre

Harington attended Southfield Primary School in London until 1998. When he turned eleven, his family moved to the countryside in Worcestershire. There, he attended Chantry High School in the village of Martley.

During his early teenage years, Harington developed a deep love for dramatic arts. When he was fourteen, he watched a stage production of the classic play Waiting for Godot. The performance inspired him to participate in various school drama productions.

Drama school training

From 2003 to 2005, Harington attended Worcester Sixth Form College, where he studied drama and theatre studies. When he was seventeen, he watched actor Ben Whishaw perform as Hamlet in London. That remarkable show inspired him to pursue acting as a serious full-time career.

In 2005, Harington moved back to London to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He spent three years practicing voice control, stage movement, and classic theatrical literature. He successfully graduated from the drama academy in 2008.

Acting career and major roles

2008–2010: London stage beginnings

Before choosing professional acting, Harington thought about becoming a news journalist or a cameraman. However, his strong theatrical talents quickly opened doors on the London stage.

While still finishing his studies at drama school, he won the lead role in the stage adaptation of War Horse. He played Albert Narracott, a farm boy who ventures across battlefields to find his beloved horse. The play debuted at the Royal National Theatre and transferred to London's famous West End.

The stage production earned two prestigious Olivier Awards. Harington received widespread praise from theatre critics for his emotional performance. In 2010, he appeared in his second major play, titled Posh, at the Royal Court Theatre.

2011–2019: Global breakthrough and film projects

Kit Harington meeting fans at Comic-Con in 2011

In 2011, Harington landed his television breakthrough as Jon Snow in the epic fantasy series Game of Thrones. The show became a global phenomenon, running for eight successful seasons until 2019.

Filming took place in remote, freezing locations across Iceland and Northern Ireland. Harington practiced sword fighting, horse riding, and stunt combat for his action scenes. His work earned him two Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.

Harington attending a television premiere in 2013

Alongside his television work, Harington starred in several feature films. In 2014, he played the lead role of Milo in the historical disaster film Pompeii. He trained extensively for months to prepare for the film's physically demanding gladiatorial action scenes.

In the same year, he voiced the character Eret in the animated hit How to Train Your Dragon 2. The movie won a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film and earned an Academy Award nomination. Harington returned to voice Eret again in the 2019 sequel How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.

Harington also appeared in the World War I drama Testament of Youth and the fantasy adventure Seventh Son. In 2017, he developed, produced, and starred in the BBC historical miniseries Gunpowder. He portrayed his real-life ancestor Robert Catesby in the retelling of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.

On stage, Harington starred in Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus in 2016. In late 2018, he starred alongside Johnny Flynn in the West End revival of Sam Shepard's play True West.

2020–present: Marvel and new dramatic projects

Harington at an entertainment convention

In 2021, Harington joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the superhero film Eternals, directed by Chloé Zhao. He portrayed Dane Whitman alongside actors Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, and Angelina Jolie.

In 2022, Harington returned to the London stage to star in William Shakespeare's historical play Henry V at the Donmar Warehouse. His performance as the English monarch received strong critical acclaim.

In 2023, he joined the cast of the climate-focused anthology series Extrapolations. In 2024, Harington starred as Henry Muck in the third season of the financial drama series Industry. Critics praised his performance, calling it one of the finest of his acting career.

Harington continued his theatrical work in 2024 by appearing in the West End production of Slave Play. He also took on voice work, narrating classic stories such as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in special audio editions of the Harry Potter series.

Personal life and interests

In 2011, Harington met Scottish actress Rose Leslie while working together on television. The couple announced their engagement in The Times newspaper in September 2017.

They married on 23 June 2018 at Rayne Parish Church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Many of their acting friends and co-stars attended the wedding ceremony. The couple has two children: a son born in 2021 and a daughter born in 2023.

Harington is an enthusiastic sports fan and closely follows association football. He is a longtime supporter of Manchester United. He also enjoys reading classic literature, watching theatrical plays, and studying European history.

Charitable work and advocacy

Harington actively uses his public platform to support numerous educational, community, and humanitarian organizations.

• The Royal Mencap Society: Since 2016, Harington has served as an official ambassador for Mencap, a UK charity supporting individuals with learning disabilities.
• Longlands Care Farm: He serves as a patron of this Worcestershire charity, which helps teenagers learn practical skills through hands-on farming and animal care.
• Dramatic Need: In 2015, Harington performed in The Children's Monologues to raise funds for creative arts education for children facing hardships.
• UNHCR Support: In 2016, he partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise awareness for families displaced by conflict.
• Humanitarian Aid: In 2022, Harington participated in international humanitarian appeals, donating signed film memorabilia to raise funds for emergency relief.

Acting credits overview

Selected film credits

Selected television credits

Selected stage credits

Major awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Kit Harington para niños