Kit Harington biography, wife, height, baby, net worth, family, age 2025

Kit Harington Biography

Christopher Catesby Harington – the British actor who shot to global fame after the fantasy adaptation of George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" hit screens. Many pages in the English actor's biography remain shrouded in mystery to this day – and it's no surprise, since the guy never even planned on becoming a film actor!

Portrait of actor Kit Harington: he's wearing a black t-shirt, stylish haircut, neat beard — Kit Harington

Childhood

Christopher Catesby Harington was born in December 1986 in London. His mother, Deborah Jane, worked as a playwright and instilled a love for the arts in her son from an early age. The Harington family tree boasts other distinguished members too – the Harington lineage dates back to the 16th century. His father, David Richard, was a successful businessman, while the actor's uncle, Sir Nicholas John Harington, held the title of baronet.

From 1992, Kit attended Southfield Primary School, and in 1998 the boy and his family had to move from London to a town called Worcester, where he enrolled at Chantry High School. He regularly participated in school productions, being most impressed by the play "Waiting for Godot," but never dreamed of becoming an actor. The boy couldn't decide on his calling for a long time, wavering between wanting to become a journalist or war correspondent, or a cinematographer. Several years after finishing school, he made the firm decision to become an actor – a true master of the theatrical arts.

In 2005, Kit returned to London and began studying at one of Britain's most prestigious acting institutions – the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Thanks to the actor's striking appearance, he was quickly noticed

Kit Harington made his theatrical debut in 2008, playing Albert Narracott in the production of "War Horse" (which Steven Spielberg would adapt for film in 2011) on the main stage of the prestigious Royal National Theatre. The role was highly praised by critics and theater enthusiasts alike, and the young actor was predicted to have a bright future.

After a series of less notable roles, the actor gained recognition as Ed Montgomery – a character in the play "Posh."

Acting Career

In 2010, the young actor caught the attention of producers adapting the "A Song of Ice and Fire" novel series. Kit hadn't appeared in major films before, but his first role as the young bastard of the Stark family in the blockbuster series hit like a bombshell. His character, Jon Snow, won over audiences with his selflessness and courage, while millions of girls worldwide gazed admiringly at his expressive face and mane of coal-black curly hair. Interestingly, Kit Harington wore a wig in the first season but grew out his own locks by season two.

The role of Jon Snow brought fame to Kit Harington

However, starring in the instantly iconic series didn't save the young actor from some unfortunate roles. In 2012, he made his feature film debut in the horror movie Silent Hill: Revelation. The film bombed at the box office, drawing outrage even from devoted fans of the franchise. Kit Harington took his share of the heat — critics slammed his unconvincing and flat performance. Not even Sean Bean could save the situation, despite having starred in the first Silent Hill film and working well with Kit on the Game of Thrones set.

In 2014, Kit continued honing his craft in historical dramas Pompeii and Testament of Youth, as well as Sergei Bodrov Sr.'s fantasy film Seventh Son starring Ben Barnes in the lead role. But while Jon Snow's screen presence genuinely captivated viewers, his choice of big-budget yet often bland films left audiences scratching their heads.

Kit Harington Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions | WIRED

By 2014, many had slapped the "one-role actor" label on Kit, though public opinion shifted for the better after the comedy 7 Days in Hell, where the young actor finally got to work in contemporary settings. However, the 2015 spy thriller Spooks: The Greater Good had Harington dodging another wave of criticism. "You know nothing, Jon Snow!" frustrated fans wrote in exasperation.

Kit Harington in Spooks: The Greater Good

Kit also voiced the character Eret in the second How to Train Your Dragon film.

Kit Harington and Eret from How to Train Your Dragon 2

While filming Game of Thrones' sixth season, Kit juggled other major projects: The Death and Life of John F. Donovan with Jessica Chastain and Natalie Portman, and the detective thriller Brimstone with Guy Pearce and Dakota Fanning.

In 2017, he took the lead role in the historical miniseries Gunpowder, focusing on the famous Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Kit appeared as Robert Catesby, one of the leaders of the anti-government conspiracy. He was joined on set by actress Liv Tyler.

Kit Harington in The Death and Life of John F. Donovan

In 2018, Kit played the lead in independent filmmaker Xavier Dolan's drama The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.

The final, eighth season of "Game of Thrones" hit screens in spring 2019. The actor admitted he was struggling to help fans move on from Jon Snow's character – a role that had become tiresome even for Kit himself – but he wasn't about to give up.

Kit Harington Says The Game Of Thrones Finale Is "Disappointing" | PopBuzz Meets

In 2019, Kit Harington appeared in the Netflix series "Criminal: UK" as Alex. That same year, Harington's voice returned as Eret in the third installment of "How to Train Your Dragon."

2021 saw the premiere of Marvel's sci-fi action film "Eternals," where Harington took on the role of Black Knight – Dane Whitman. The same year, audiences caught the actor in the romantic comedy "Modern Love."

Kit Harington's Personal Life

For a long time, this aspect of Kit Harington's life remained private. Many fans were eager to pair him up with Emilia Clarke, his "Game of Thrones" co-star. The young actors were indeed often seen together in public, but they just laughed off fan speculation. "We're just good friends, like everyone in Westeros," Kit would joke.

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington are just friends

He was repeatedly spotted with Rose Leslie — the actress who played wildling Ygritte. Although the actors didn't comment, series fans wanted to believe that the on-screen romance had blossomed into real life. In April 2016, Kit and Rose finally thrilled fans by going public as a couple.

Kit Harington and Rose Leslie's romance came to life

On June 23, 2018, the lovebirds tied the knot in Scotland. Interestingly, their wedding invitations (sent to 200 guests, including "Game of Thrones" stars) featured stamps with Kit as Jon Snow, which the UK postal service had released in a limited edition.

In September 2020, news broke that Kit Harington and Rose Leslie were expecting their first child. The couple decided to start a family during the pandemic, though they'd been seriously considering this step for quite some time. Their son was born in early 2021, and in summer 2023, they welcomed a daughter. Kit and Rose keep their children's names private.

Struggles with Alcohol

In 2022, Rose told Harper's Bazaar that her husband had battled alcohol problems. Kit himself said the warning signs appeared mid-way through "Game of Thrones," after his character died, was resurrected, and became central to the story. He's naturally emotional and took things too much to heart. By the final season's end, Kit had a complete breakdown:

On my last day on set, I broke down. I started crying, couldn't breathe, couldn't calm down. When the costume team was taking off my armor, it felt like they were peeling off my skin. My soul was torn between relief and grief at the thought that I'd never return to this again.

He tried to "defeat" depression and exhaustion with alcohol. Rose Leslie and Emilia Clarke convinced the actor to seek help. He checked into the Prive-Swiss rehabilitation clinic, which cost him $120,000 monthly. But money wasn't an issue: by 2017, he was earning $1.1 million per "Game of Thrones" episode.

Treatment worked — Kit learned to find joy without substances. He's often noted how grateful he is that he overcame his addiction before becoming a father.

I'm so lucky I got sober before having kids. I think deep down — and I say this with love for myself — I'm quite self-centered. But with children, you just can't be self-centered. They strip that away from you. And it's an amazing gift.

Kit Harington Now

In 2023, Apple TV released the series "Extrapolations," where Kit Harington played one of the key roles – Nicholas Bilton, a hardened capitalist who believes only money and technology can save the world from apocalypse.

A frame from the TV series "Extrapolations"

Good news also awaited all "Game of Thrones" fans: in 2022, it was announced that HBO was developing a solo series about Jon Snow. But in April 2024, the actor revealed that production had been halted:

I couldn't find the right story, couldn't find something worthwhile that would bring me back to the character and help maintain that state. The longer we worked on it, the less sense it made, so we abandoned our plans

In July 2024, the horror film about domestic violence "The Beast Within" had its world premiere, with Kit transforming into the main monster. The film received poor reviews, primarily criticized for its weak script lacking intrigue.

A man and a girl are lying on the grass and talking — A frame from the film "The Beast Within"

That same year, news broke about Kit Harington and Sophie Turner reuniting on the set of the horror film "The Damned Knight," where they'll play the lead roles.

Zachary Connor Edwards

I don`t know why everybody so thrilled about Kit Harington. In my opinion he is playing boring and all his fame is a good PR.

2021-05-05 14:34:20
Tammy Hill

I watched `Pompeii` only because of Kit Harington and I was not satisfied. He is boring in this movie, no dynamic at all!

2021-05-04 09:14:11
Charles Joseph Cook

Let`s hope that with a time heat dies and everybody will stop identify Kit Harington with Jon Snow.

2021-04-02 11:43:59
Tiffany Terry

Who didn`t dream about handsome Kit Harington? I was watching `Game of Thrones` only because of him, he is amazing!

2021-03-26 20:15:04
Dylan Blake Griffin

I can`t imagine in the role of Jon Snow somebody else except Kit Harington. His bright appearance and rebellious spirit made him a star of this TV series.

2021-02-26 12:04:34

Photos: Kit Harington