Why Jason Momoa Is Terrified of the Dentist—The Truth Behind His Fear

Jason Momoa, the actor famous for his tough-guy roles in Aquaman, Game of Thrones, and Fast X, may be known for his rugged, fearless on-screen persona, but in real life, there’s one thing that still gives him the chills: the dentist.

Momoa has openly shared his long-standing fear of dental procedures, a fear so intense that it led him to avoid getting his wisdom teeth removed for years. Unfortunately, this avoidance ultimately led to a cracked molar, which added another layer to his discomfort. Rather than facing the dreaded dentist’s chair, Momoa lived with the painful reminder of his dental fears until it became unavoidable.

In a unique twist, Momoa took this personal experience and turned it into something productive for his work. While filming Fast X, the latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, Momoa was able to channel his dental anxiety into his character, Dante. After a particularly intense fight scene with Vin Diesel’s character, Dom, Dante loses a tooth. Rather than relying on the typical dramatic reactions often seen in action films, Momoa suggested an improvisational moment where his character nonchalantly tosses the tooth away, showcasing a deeper, unhinged aspect of his character.

This clever addition to the scene not only enriched Dante’s persona but also highlighted Momoa’s creative instincts. By incorporating a personal vulnerability—his fear of dental procedures—into his performance, he was able to add authenticity to the chaos of his character, enhancing the film’s emotional depth. Momoa’s ability to transform real-life fears into compelling moments on screen shows the depth of his acting range, proving that even the most personal fears can become powerful tools in storytelling.

While many actors have to draw on their own experiences to create authentic performances, few would be as candid as Momoa about turning something as relatable (and sometimes comical) as a fear of the dentist into a defining trait for a character. It’s a testament to his ability to merge his personal life with his craft in a way that resonates with audiences.