From acid trips and deep insecurity to nearly becoming a nurse, Pedro Pascal reveals his long, painful road to late stardom and emotional survival.
New Delhi | June 28, 2025 — Before he became a global star through The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and Fantastic Four, actor Pedro Pascal endured years of rejection, trauma, and personal loss. In a raw and revealing Vanity Fair interview, the 50-year-old opened up about being bullied as a teen, battling drug use, dealing with his mother’s suicide, and nearly quitting acting to become a nurse.
Also Read: This is How Much ‘Squid Game 3′ is Offering as Prize Money!
Born in Chile, Pascal’s family fled to the U.S. when he was just nine months old. While his childhood was shaped by an early love for films, he was relentlessly bullied during his school years in California. “I don’t know if I would’ve survived the bullying if my mom hadn’t pulled me out,” he said, crediting his mother Veronica for changing his path.
Haunted by Rejection and Substance Use
As a teen, Pascal experimented heavily with drugs, especially LSD. He recalls calling his mom during a trip, only to hear her calmly suggest they watch a movie together. Her compassion, he said, always brought him back. But even as he pursued acting, self-doubt consumed him.
Also Read: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Back in Court for Another Bitter Fight: Here’s Why
“In my 30s, I was supposed to have a career. Past 29 without one meant it was over,” he confessed. At his lowest, he considered enrolling in nursing school. “I would’ve been a terrible nurse,” he joked. “I’d fall in love with some patients and hate others.”
Loss and Loneliness in New York
While studying at NYU, Pascal found solace in friendships with fellow actors like Sarah Paulson. He devoured James Baldwin and cried at films like Muriel’s Wedding. But the suicide of his mother devastated him. “You think not getting a job can break me? I’m already broken,” he said, reflecting on how grief shaped his resilience.
Also Read: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Wows Fans in First Preview
He also adopted a rescue dog, Gretta, to cope with the pain, and surrounded himself with a community that believed in him—especially his sister Javiera, now a producer at Amazon Studios, who insisted he never give up on acting.
Late Stardom and Lingering Insecurities
Pascal’s eventual rise to fame in his late 30s was hard-won. But even now, he struggles with self-doubt and criticism. “Fans say, ‘He’s too old, he needs to shave.’ That still scares me,” he admits. However, being on set with Robert Downey Jr. helped ease that fear. “He made me feel okay being scared, unsure, and real,” Pascal said.
As he prepares for his role in the new Fantastic Four film, Pascal hopes the world embraces the emotional core of his performance. “You never know if people are going to be disgusted by your heart or not,” he says.
Tags:
Pedro Pascal, Hollywood, celebrity interview, trauma, mental health, bullying, drugs, acting journey, Vanity Fair, Fantastic Four, The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, fame and struggle