Viggo Mortensen played one of the most iconic characters in cinema history, but he's known for much more than the wilds-drifting Strider. The Danish-born actor is the very definition of versatility, taking on roles in nearly every genre of movie, and delivering an amazing performance. The early '90s saw Mortensen as a lesser-known actor in smaller roles but he made a name for himself doing so.
It's these roles that defined his legacy and made him one of the most successful actors of the late 90s and 2000s. If one's a Lord of the Rings fan, or more specifically a Viggo fan, one is encouraged to check out these flicks featuring the King of Gonder himself. With that, here are Viggo Mortensen's best roles, according to IMDb.
G.I Jane (1997): 5.9
Ridley Scott is often associated with the likes of Alien and Blade Runner. Movies like G.I. Jane leaves fans bemused to remember who directed and starred in it. However, the performances from Mortensen and 90s star Demi Moore are solid.
The movie possesses the signature aesthetic from Scott's previous movies.
Captain Alatriste: The Spanish Musketeer (2006): 6.1
Captain Alatriste tells the story of the Diego Alatriste; the legendary 17th-century figure from the imperial wars.
If one hasn't watched this historical piece, it's worth the lofty runtime as it's the most expensive Spanish film ever made. Mortensen delivers a faithful and realistic depiction of the Spanish captain, honing in on the accent, mannerisms, and attitude of the man himself.
Young Guns II (1990): 6.5
One is probably scratching their head at this one, but Viggo Mortensen did have a role in this movie as a sheriff's deputy. In fact, this sequel boasts an impressive cast including western stars like James Coburn.
While the spotlight was mainly on Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland, Viggo Mortensen had his five minutes, famously telling a young outlaw to "Take your medicine".
The Prophecy (1995): 6.5
The Prophecy wasn't a big hit but the performances from Christopher Walken, Eric Stolz, and of course, Viggo Mortensen are worth the watch. There are only a handful of actors who can say they've played the devil himself with Mortenson a part of that club. Though in this movie he goes by Lucifer instead of the more terrifying names like Satan. Mortensen usually plays the good guy, but this time he's the opposite. It's a rare sight to see Viggo play a bad guy.
Hidalgo (2004): 6.7
Riding the international success of Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen kept the film rolling with 2004's Hidalgo. Mortensen plays an aged cowboy who takes part in a 3,000-mile race across the Arabian desert.
The film has a special place in Mortensen's heart as he purchased the horse he rode in the movie after filming was completed. This isn't as uncommon as one might think as Jamie Foxx did the same after filming Django Unchained.
Appaloosa (2008): 6.7
Westerns may not occupy the box office today, but every now and then, one will come along, drawing audiences to see who plays the next fastest gun in the West. Mortensen, along with Jeremy Irons and Ed Harris, star in this western thriller from 2008. Despite looming in the shadow and grand success of The Dark Knight, Appaloosa is a well written western ad worthy of praise.
Crimson Tide (1995): 7.3
Cutting his long hair in exchange for a military crew cut, Mortensen played a supporting role in 1995's Crimson Tide. Much like Hunt for Red October which starred the legendary Sean Connery, Crimson Tide played on the claustrophobia of submarines and paranoia of a trigger happy captain. Military thrillers are often a hit or miss and rarely pack a punch worth remembering. Crimson Tide, much like Young Guns II, relies on an experienced cast with up and coming stars like Mortensen.
A History of Violence (2005): 7.4
Arguably the most iconic role of his after Lord of the Rings, A History of Violence is an intense draw that examines the psychological aftermath of an "act of violence." Despite being heralded as a hero, Mortensen learns the consequences of his actions.
It's not a cult classic but is respected as one of the best movies of 2005. An interesting piece of trivia: Viggo Mortensen kept laughing during the bar scene with Ed Harris. Harris then filmed the scene with no pants, forcing Mortensen to hold in his laughter for the remainder of the scene.
Eastern Promises (2007): 7.6
Eastern Promises deserves more credit than it received, diving into the dark side of a Russian family who tried to cover up the sexual assault of a young woman. Mortensen's role was met with praise because of his effortless ability to play characters of different nationalities. Danish, Russian, British, American. For those who have not watched Eastern Promises, they're in for a thrill as this is a bleak depiction of mafia life.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): 8.9
Obvious but still worth reaffirming, the Lord of the Rings franchise will remain the most iconic role of Viggo Mortensen's career. In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, each performance is better than the last, leaving it impossible to pick one from the impeccable three. Yet, The Return of the King is the highest-scored on IMDb.
It's hard to envision anyone else playing the King of Gondor because Mortensen brings a perfect balance of courage, compassion, and strength to the character from the legendary mind of J.R.R Tolkien.