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Aaron MotenAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 28.02.1989
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Theatrical Breakthrough
- Transition to Screen
- Breakthrough Roles
- Personal Life
- Current Projects
Early Life and Education
Aaron Clifton Moten was born on February 28, 1989, in Austin, Texas. He is of mixed English, Irish, Scottish, and African descent. Little is known about his parents or early childhood, but his father was a retired U.S. Army officer, and his mother's identity remains private. Moten attended St. Stephen's Episcopal School in his hometown, where he developed a passion for performing arts. He excelled in a theater program that honed his singing, dancing, and acting skills. At the age of 12, he made his stage debut in a production of Jim Leonard's "The Diviners," igniting his determination to pursue a career as an actor.
After graduating high school, Moten honed his craft at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, graduating in 2011. Reflecting on his experience, he credits Juilliard with instilling a sense of confidence and preparedness for any challenges he might face in the entertainment industry.
Theatrical Breakthrough
In 2011, Aaron Moten made his professional stage debut at Two River Theater, playing Claudio in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." The following year, he starred in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway, a performance he remembers vividly due to its massive audience.
Moten's early theatrical endeavors showcased his ability to immerse himself in characters, creating memorable and nuanced portrayals. His emotionally charged performances and keen sense of style caught the attention of theater critics, and in 2013, he received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his portrayal of an aspiring film student named Avery in Annie Baker's "The Flick."
Transition to Screen
From 2006 to 2013, Moten appeared in small roles in short films, including his debut in "Sticks & Stones." In 2014, he landed a guest spot on the long-running TV series "NCIS: Los Angeles," playing a character named Aaron. His feature film debut came in Chris Rock's 2014 comedy "Top Five," where he played a supermarket shopper.
Horror fans saw Moten in the 2016 film "The Transfiguration," where he played Lewis, a young man exploring the dark side of human nature. The same year, he portrayed Eric Winkelstrauss, a musician navigating the complexities of classical music, in the TV series "Mozart in the Jungle."
Breakthrough Roles
Aaron Moten's career took a major leap with his role as Travis Feldman in the comedy series "Disjointed." Travis is the son of Ruth (played by Kathy Bates), a woman operating a medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles. Moten's character is a recent college graduate trying to find his place in both the family business and life, and the actor fondly recalls working alongside Bates.
In 2020, Moten starred in the futuristic series "Next" as Ben, an FBI agent caught in a web of events involving artificial intelligence. He also played Knowles in the 2022 action thriller "Emancipation," a man confronting the brutality of slavery. The same year, he appeared as Ham in the drama "Father Stu," a close friend of the titular character navigating life's trials.
Personal Life
Aaron Moten is a private person who keeps his personal life separate from his professional career. However, it is known that he is happily married to Icelandic dancer Lilja Róriksdóttir. They met while attending the Juilliard School, where she studied modern dance. On February 24, 2022, the couple welcomed a daughter, Míla Rún Aaronsdóttir.
Current Projects
In 2024, Moten stars in the Prime Video drama series "Fallout," based on the popular video game franchise. Set in a post-apocalyptic America, the series follows the intersecting stories of survivors dealing with the aftermath of nuclear war. Moten plays Maximus, a young soldier grappling with his place in a brutal world.
