Jason Momoa Became an 'Instant Hit' on 'Game of Thrones'... Then Couldn't Find Work for 2 Years

Jason Momoa became an "instant hit" when he appeared on 10 consecutive episodes of HBO's "Game of Thrones" in 2011 in the role of Dothraki leader Khal Drogo.

But while the role extended his celebrity, he wasn't able to find work for two years after it, reports InStyle Magazine in an interview with the 40-year-old actor.

"Momoa spent several years struggling to pay the bills at the Topanga Canyon house he shares with his wife, actress Lisa Bonet, and their two kids," writes InStyle.

"I mean, we were starving after 'Game of Thrones,' " he says. "I couldn't get work. It's very challenging when you have babies and you're completely in debt."

He had faced employment struggles earlier in his career when he moved to Hollywood after a lead role on the series "Baywatch Hawaii." "I couldn't even get an agent for three or four years," he told InStyle.

During his post-"GOT" slump, Momoa started a production company with his friend Brian Andrew Mendoza and began directing short films. "A lot of people don't realize that Jason is a beast of an artist," Mendoza says, recalling nights when he and Momoa would camp by the side of the road so they could capture a shot in the early-morning light. "Art is the thing that drives him, through and through." Mendoza is now a director who shot Momoa in the upcoming thriller "Sweet Girl" for Netflix, adds InStyle.

His flagging career got a major boost when he was cast in "Justice League" in 2016, which led to him helming his own blockbuster, the mega-hit "Aquaman," in which his quirky blend of he-man and goofball endeared him to audiences.

His embrace of his sensitive side led him to reveal to InStyle that he is seeing a therapist to explore issues of male vulnerability and career issues, such as unwinding after 12-hours on a set. "On a deeper level, Momoa is exploring what it meant for him to grow up without a father at home and how that affects his relationship with his 12-year-old son, Wolf," writes InStyle. " 'I didn't know what it takes to be a dad,' he says. 'And I don't want to just tell my son, 'Because I said so.' I really want to connect, and I want him to be vulnerable and open.' "

He also discussed guy issues. "I mean, I'm a warrior, and I will lay it down,"he told InStyle. "But I'm also the first one to say, 'I have a lot of problems, and I want to be able to correct those problems.' "

Adding, "I mean, we're fucking men!... we all have the feminine and the male side in us, and we need to embrace both."

And he did so with his willingness to dress in pink for the interview in clothes by designers Tom Ford, He also posed in pink and black Dolce & Gabbana suit without a dress shirt. "Pink is just a beautiful color," he told InStyle. "And I'm pretty secure in my masculinity. I don't really give a s**t what anyone thinks."

As for his career, he is now one of Hollywood's most bankable stars whose next big project is the big-budgeted reboot of "Dune." But even though he's a bigger draw than his co-stars, he maintained a healthy level of humility when talking about the film, the Daily Mail reports.

"It was 'Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem,' and I'm just like, 'Oh my god. I can't believe my name was with those names.' I feel like I'm still a kid, freaking out."

He also sees the film as being relevant to the current political climate.

"It's not alien versus alien - it's about conflicts between human tribes," he adds. "And greed. It really hits home right now."

Check out these Momoa pics on Instagram: