Kristian Nairn
{{Short description|Northern Irish actor (born 1975)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1975|11|25}}
| birth_place = Lisburn, Northern Ireland
| height = 208 cm
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|DJ|musician}}
| name = Kristian Nairn
| image = Kristian Nairn by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
| caption = Nairn in 2024
| years_active = 2011–present
}}
Kristian Nairn (born 25 November 1975) is an actor and DJ from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. He is best known for his portrayal of Hodor in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones (2011–2014, 2016). He also played Wee John Feeney on the HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death (2022–2023).{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2021/06/21/our-flag-means-death-kristian-nairn-cast-hbo-max-pirate-comedy/|first=Vlada|last=Gelman|date=21 June 2021|title=TVLine Items: Hodor Joins Pirate Comedy, Mrs. Maisel Casting and More|work=TVLine|accessdate=23 July 2022|archive-date=23 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723070138/https://tvline.com/2021/06/21/our-flag-means-death-kristian-nairn-cast-hbo-max-pirate-comedy/|url-status=live}}
Career
Nairn's portrayal of Hodor on Game of Thrones was his first acting role; Nairn earned enough to buy his mother a house.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/31/how-game-of-thrones-changed-my-life-season-8-interviews-stars |title='It was madness': Game of Thrones stars on how it changed their lives |last1=Fox |first1=Killian |date=31 March 2019 |work=The Observer |access-date=31 May 2019 |last2=Bromwich |first2=Kathryn |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712 |last3=Hogan |first3=Michael |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528151350/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/31/how-game-of-thrones-changed-my-life-season-8-interviews-stars |url-status=live}} He is a progressive house/trance DJ, and used to be the resident DJ of Kremlin, a gay club in Belfast.{{cite web |work=Popspoken |url=http://popspoken.com/nightlife/2015/08/podium-lounge-of-the-seven-kingdoms |title=Podium Lounge of the Seven Kingdoms |date=15 August 2015 |access-date=15 August 2015 |archive-date=3 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003230348/http://popspoken.com/nightlife/2015/08/podium-lounge-of-the-seven-kingdoms |url-status=dead}} Since Game of Thrones began, Nairn has toured as a DJ with "Rave of Thrones" using musical themes and costumes from the television series.{{cite web|url=http://www.axs.com/news/game-of-thrones-star-announces-rave-of-thrones-dj-tour-19229|title='Game of Thrones' star announces 'Rave Of Thrones' DJ tour|access-date=8 December 2014|archive-date=13 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213165009/http://www.axs.com/news/game-of-thrones-star-announces-rave-of-thrones-dj-tour-19229|url-status=live}}{{r|fox20190331}} At the end of 2017, he performed the first part of the Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike concerts in Antwerp.{{Cite web|last=Moayeri|first=Lily|title=Hodor hits the road: 'Game of Thrones' grad and DJ Kristian Nairn reveals tour dates|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-tv-hodor-kristian-nairn-dj-tour-20200309-4f5iyxc2lbbbbocf5whldzpdq4-story.html|access-date=18 June 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619114155/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-tv-hodor-kristian-nairn-dj-tour-20200309-4f5iyxc2lbbbbocf5whldzpdq4-story.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Moayeri|first=Lily|date=9 March 2020|title=Hodor Hits the Road: 'Game of Thrones' Grad and DJ Kristian Nairn Reveals Tour Dates|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/game-of-thrones-kristian-nairn-dj-tour-dates-1203527815/|access-date=18 June 2020|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619015513/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/game-of-thrones-kristian-nairn-dj-tour-dates-1203527815/|url-status=live}} He was the DJ during the BlizzCon 2016 anniversary party and BlizzCon 2018 closing festivities.{{cite web|url=http://www.geekgirlauthority.com/blizzcon-2016-kristian-nairn-hodor-will-dj-the-anniversary-party/|title=BlizzCon 2016: Kristian Nairn (Hodor) Will DJ The Anniversary Party – Geek Girl Authority|date=28 October 2016|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-date=3 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103234747/http://www.geekgirlauthority.com/blizzcon-2016-kristian-nairn-hodor-will-dj-the-anniversary-party/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/22622204/blizzcon-music-festival-to-feature-train-lindsey-stirling-and-kristian-nairn|title=BlizzCon Music Festival to Feature Train, Lindsey Stirling, and Kristian Nairn|date=25 October 2018|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|access-date=4 November 2018|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923064116/https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/22622204/blizzcon-music-festival-to-feature-train-lindsey-stirling-and-kristian-nairn|url-status=live}} In October 2018, Nairn appeared in a commercial for eToro that was launched on YouTube, featuring the Internet meme HODL.{{Cite web|date=19 October 2018|title=Hodor urges crypto investors to 'hodl'|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/investing/hodor-urges-crypto-investors-to-hodl/news-story/448262cf06b43967ce1eb660154f74fd|access-date=18 June 2020|website=NewsComAu|language=en|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618162830/https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/investing/hodor-urges-crypto-investors-to-hodl/news-story/448262cf06b43967ce1eb660154f74fd|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=21 October 2018|title=eToro 'HODL'- It is not investment advice. Your capital is at risk {{!}} Kristian Nairn|url=https://campaignsoftheworld.com/digital/etoro-hodl-featuring-kristian-nairn/|access-date=18 June 2020|website=Campaigns of the World|language=en-US|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102222357/https://campaignsoftheworld.com/digital/etoro-hodl-featuring-kristian-nairn/|url-status=live}}
Nairn is an accomplished guitarist. He got the opportunity to play backstage with Megadeth during the Hellfest Open Air Festival in Clisson, France, in June 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/around-the-interwebs/watch-hodor-from-game-of-thrones-jams-with-megadeth|title=Watch: Hodor from Game Of Thrones' Jams With MEGADETH|date=26 June 2018|website=Metal Injection|access-date=30 April 2019|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430173928/https://metalinjection.net/around-the-interwebs/watch-hodor-from-game-of-thrones-jams-with-megadeth|url-status=live}}
He portrayed Wee John Feeney on the HBO series Our Flag Means Death from 2022 to 2023.{{cite news |last=White |first=James |title=It's A Pirate's Life For Rhys Darby And Taika Waititi In The Teaser For Our Flag Means Death |url=https://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/it-a-pirate-life-for-rhys-darby-and-taika-waititi-in-the-teaser-for-our-flag-means-death/ |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=Empire |date=19 January 2022}}{{cite news |last=Darwish |first=Meaghan |title='Our Flag Means Death' Team Teases Start of Season 2 Filming (Photos) |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1062427/our-flag-means-death-season-2-filming/ |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=TV Insider |date=26 September 2022}}
Personal life
In March 2014, Nairn publicly discussed his gay identity in an interview with a Game of Thrones fan site.{{cite web |url=http://chicagospectrum.com/2014/03/11/kristian-nairn-game-thrones-comes-interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316140850/http://chicagospectrum.com/2014/03/11/kristian-nairn-game-thrones-comes-interview|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 March 2014|title=Kristian Nairn, of 'Game of Thrones,' comes out in interview |author=Bargnes, Kevin |date=11 March 2014 |work=Chicago Spectrum |access-date=11 March 2014}} He stated: "When you talk about 'the gay community,' you are talking about MY community.{{nbsp}}[...] I've never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I've been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview."{{cite web|last=Sieczkowski|first=Cavan|title='Game of Thrones' Actor Kristian Nairn Comes Out As Gay|date=11 March 2014|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/11/kristian-nairn-gay_n_4942743.html|publisher=Huffington Post|access-date=12 March 2014|archive-date=11 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311223300/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/11/kristian-nairn-gay_n_4942743.html|url-status=live}} He went on to say that his sexuality is "a very small part of who I am on the whole, but nonetheless, in this day and age, it's important to stand up and be counted."{{cite web|last=Fire and Blood|title=Interview with Kristian Nairn|date=11 March 2014|url=http://winteriscoming.net/2014/03/interview-with-kristian-nairn/|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|access-date=12 March 2014|archive-date=11 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311214537/http://winteriscoming.net/2014/03/interview-with-kristian-nairn/|url-status=live}} In 2015, Nairn clarified in an interview with Chicago Go Pride that it was really his "second coming out. I'd done it when I was 14 and didn't think I'd have to do it again. Especially since every single person in my life knew."{{Cite news|url=https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/I836496|title="Sweet Giant: An Interview with Kristian Nairn, Game of Thrones' Hodor"|last=Shapiro|first=Gregg|date=26 August 2015|work=Chicago Go Pride|language=en-US|access-date=27 April 2022|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025141641/https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/I836496|url-status=live}} In April 2023, Nairn revealed to the BBC that he had witnessed the shooting of policeman Darren Bradshaw at the Parliament Bar in Belfast in May 1997.{{Cite web |date=29 April 2023 |title=Game of Thrones Hodor actor witnessed Belfast gay nightclub shooting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-65424350 |access-date=30 April 2023 |website=BBC News |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429232133/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-65424350 |url-status=live}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2014
| Our Gay Wedding | Himself | |
| 2014
| Treasure Trapped | Himself | Documentary |
| 2015
| The Four Warriors | Baliphar | |
| 2016
| Tek | |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| Johnny | |
| Robin Hood: The Rebellion
| Thomas | |
| 2023
| Eoin | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"|Notes |
|---|
| 2011–2014, 2016 | Hodor | Recurring (seasons 1–4, 6), 23 episodes |
| 2012–2013
| Barnaby Silver | 2 episodes |
| 2013
| Chronicles of Comic Con | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2014
| Himself/Hodor | 1 episode |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| Himself | 1 episode |
| The Rookie
| Wallace | Episode: "The Switch" |
| 2021
| The Boulet Brothers' Dragula | Himself: Guest Judge | 1 episode |
| 2022–2023
| Wee John Feeney | Main role |
=Podcast=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|2011
| Yogpod 38: Hodor! | Himself | Interview |
| Cast of Thrones: A Golden Crown
| Himself | Interview |
| 2012
| Cast of Thrones: Bonus Episode 9 | Himself | Interview |
| 2013–2015
| Two is Company | Himself |
| 2019
| Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum | Himself |
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Award ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Nominee(s) ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col"| {{Ref heading}} |
|---|
| 2022
| Entertainment | {{nom}} |
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite web|title=A Conversation with Hodor|date=15 August 2011|url=http://hbowatch.com/a-conversation-with-hodor-kristian-nairn/|publisher=HBO|access-date=15 August 2011|archive-date=29 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629195226/http://hbowatch.com/a-conversation-with-hodor-kristian-nairn|url-status=live}}
}}
External links
{{Commons category|Kristian Nairn}}
- {{Official website|http://www.kristiannairn.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|3964231}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nairn, Kristian}}
Category:21st-century LGBTQ people from Northern Ireland
Category:21st-century male actors from Northern Ireland
Category:21st-century male musicians from Northern Ireland
Category:DJs from Northern Ireland
Category:Gay actors from Northern Ireland