Kit Harington, born Christopher Catesby Harington, is an English actor widely recognized for his portrayal of Jon Snow in the HBO fantasy series "Game of Thrones". His performance earned him nominations for prestigious awards, including the Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Kit Harington was born in December 1986.
Harington attended Southfield Primary School between 1992 and 1998.
After moving to Worcestershire with his family in 1998, Harington continued his education at Chantry High School.
Harington graduated from high school in 2003 and enrolled in Worcester Sixth Form College to study Drama and Theatre.
In 2004, Harington's interest in pursuing acting seriously was sparked by a performance of "Hamlet" starring Ben Whishaw.
Harington moved back to London in 2005 to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Harington graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama in 2008.
Kit Harington and Rose Leslie, who would later become his spouse, embarked on a relationship in 2011 after connecting on the set of "Game of Thrones."
The first season of "Game of Thrones," in which Harington starred as Jon Snow, premiered in 2011.
Harington made his feature film debut in the horror film "Silent Hill: Revelation 3D" in 2012.
Harington was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television for his work on "Game of Thrones" in 2012.
Harington was honored with the Actor of the Year award at the 2013 Young Hollywood Awards.
"Seventh Son" premiered at the London Film Festival in October 2014.
It was announced that Harington would star in Xavier Dolan's film "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan" in December 2014.
Harington starred in the films "Pompeii" and "Testament of Youth" in 2014.
Harington appeared in the fantasy-adventure film "Seventh Son," which saw a wide release in the UK in January 2015.
Harington was confirmed to star in the western thriller film "Brimstone" in June 2015.
Kit Harington joined a distinguished cast in 2015 for a benefit performance of "The Children's Monologues," a production orchestrated by acclaimed director Danny Boyle. The event, held at London's Royal Court Theatre on October 25th, raised funds for Dramatic Need, Boyle's charity dedicated to empowering vulnerable youth in South Africa and Rwanda through creative arts.
Kit Harington's commitment to social causes was evident in April 2016 as he assumed the role of ambassador for The Royal Mencap Society, a prominent UK organization assisting individuals with learning disabilities and their support networks. Furthermore, he was designated as a patron of Longlands Care Farm, a Worcestershire-based charity providing care, guidance, and assistance to at-risk youth aged 14 to 19 who face challenges thriving in conventional educational settings.
In September 2016, Harington added his voice to a poignant UNHCR campaign aimed at raising awareness about the global refugee crisis. He joined fellow actors in a video titled "What They Took With Them," reciting a poem inspired by firsthand accounts from refugees. This initiative was part of UNHCR's broader #WithRefugees campaign, advocating for governments to expand asylum provisions, integrate job opportunities, and enhance education for refugees.
Harington voiced a character in the video game "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare" and starred in a West End production of "Doctor Faustus" in 2016.
In 2016, Harington received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Jon Snow.
In August 2017, Harington demonstrated his support for overnight carers by aligning himself with Mencap's #StopSleepInCrisis campaign. Through a video message, he urged the government to provide six years' worth of retroactive compensation for these essential workers, highlighting the potential crisis in the learning disability sector due to unpaid wages and the risk of service disruption for vulnerable individuals.
In September 2017, the couple formally declared their engagement, sharing the news through the traditional avenue of the 'Forthcoming Marriages' section in The Times newspaper.
Harington reportedly became one of the highest-paid actors on television in 2017 due to his role in "Game of Thrones."
Harington developed, produced, and starred in the historical drama "Gunpowder," which premiered in 2017.
In 2017, Kit Harington invested in a piece of history, acquiring a 15th-century country estate near Ipswich, Suffolk, for £1.75 million.
It was announced in June 2018 that Harington would star in a stage production of "True West."
June 2018 marked the union of Kit Harington and Rose Leslie as they exchanged vows in a ceremony held at Rayne Parish Church in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
"The Death and Life of John F. Donovan" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in August 2018.
"True West" premiered in London in November 2018.
Kit Harington participated in a special tribute to the celebrated playwright Harold Pinter in 2018, joining fellow actors for a one-night-only charity event titled "Happy Birthday, Harold." This gala, held at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London on October 10th, featured a diverse program of Pinter's work, with proceeds benefiting Amnesty International and Chance to Shine, two charities close to Pinter's heart.
The stage production of "True West" starring Harington closed in February 2019.
The final episode of "Game of Thrones" aired in April 2019, marking the end of Harington's time on the show.
Prioritizing his well-being, Harington checked himself into a facility specializing in mental health and wellness in May 2019 to address personal challenges.
Harington joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an undisclosed role in August 2019.
The final season of "Game of Thrones" aired in 2019.
Harington provided a voice role for the animated film "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" in 2019.
It was announced in September 2020 that Harington would appear in the second season of "Criminal: UK."
Rose Leslie's pregnancy became publicly known in September 2020 through a magazine photoshoot where she posed, showcasing her baby bump.
Harington participated in a virtual performance of an excerpt from the play "Burn" in 2020.
Harington and Leslie welcomed their first child, a son, in February 2021.
"Eternals," featuring Harington as Dane Whitman, was released in November 2021.
Harington appeared as Dane Whitman in Marvel's "Eternals" in 2021.
In March 2022, Kit Harington took on the titular role in a production of William Shakespeare's "Henry V" at the Donmar Warehouse.
June 2022 saw the announcement of a Jon Snow spin-off series from "Game of Thrones," with Harington attached to reprise his role and spearhead the project. However, the series was later scrapped as the team couldn't solidify a compelling narrative.
In 2022, as Russia invaded Ukraine, Harington showed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. He appeared in a video as part of a humanitarian campaign urging support for Ukrainian refugees and auctioned off signed "Game of Thrones" memorabilia to raise funds for the cause.
The Harington-Leslie family expanded once more as they announced the expectancy of their second child in February 2023.
In March 2023, Kit Harington appeared in "Extrapolations," an anthology series on Apple TV+ that explores the ramifications of climate change.
July 2023 brought joy to the couple as they celebrated the arrival of their second child, a daughter, further enriching their family life.
In 2024, Harington candidly shared his experiences with anxiety, alcohol dependency, and his ADHD diagnosis, received during his time in rehabilitation.