Sarah Paulson, the renowned American Horror Story actor, has recently shared a heartwarming story about her close friend, Pedro Pascal, who is now a Hollywood superstar known for his roles in The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones, and The Last of Us.
In an interview with Esquire, Paulson revealed that she used to give Pascal money from her acting pay so he could have enough to eat during his early struggling days in the entertainment industry.
“He’s talked about this publicly, but there were times when I would give him my per diem from a job I was working on so that he could have money to feed himself,” Paulson shared with the outlet. She added, “You just want him to succeed. And that to me, I feel like, is the sign of a major movie star.”
Reflecting on that challenging time in his career, Pascal himself admitted that he never thought he would make it big.
He faced numerous rejections, which took a toll on his confidence. “I died so many deaths,” Pascal said. “My vision of it was that if I didn’t have some major exposure by the time I was twenty-nine years old, it was over, so I was constantly readjusting what it meant to commit my life to this profession, and giving up the idea of it looking like I thought it would when I was a kid. There were so many good reasons to let that delusion go.”
Despite the setbacks, Pascal persevered, and now he is one of the most successful actors in the industry.
However, before gaining fame as Joel in The Last of Us or as the charming Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, Pascal went by a different name and had smaller roles in TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Law & Order, and Touched by an Angel.
He was known as Pedro Balmaceda at that time.
The reason for the name change to Pascal, however, is not only related to his career but also holds a sentimental significance.
In 2000, Pascal’s mother tragically died by suicide when he was just 24 years old. In honor of her memory, he decided to change his name from Balmaceda to Pascal.
In an interview with Variety, Pascal also mentioned that the decision was influenced by the difficulty Americans had in pronouncing his original name.
His journey to success has been marked by perseverance, resilience, and the support of friends like Sarah Paulson.
He has overcome challenges, faced rejection, and made difficult decisions along the way, but his passion for acting and his unwavering commitment to his craft have paid off.
Today, Pascal is not only a renowned actor but also an inspiration to aspiring artists who are pursuing their dreams in the face of adversity.
Looking back on his early struggles, Pascal is grateful for the support he received from Paulson and others who believed in him.
He acknowledges that their encouragement and assistance played a significant role in his journey to success. “You need champions when you’re in this industry,” Pascal said. “You need people to say, ‘I believe in you.'”
Paulson’s act of generosity in sharing her per diem with Pascal during his struggling days speaks to the kindness and camaraderie that can exist in the entertainment industry.
It is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of supporting one another in times of need.
As Pascal’s career continues to soar, he remains grateful for the opportunities he has been given and the people who have helped him along the way.
