[1] While in his teens, Momoa became a rock climber and boulderer when his mother took him to Custer State Park where lie Sylvan Lake and the Needles of South Dakota.

[7][8] At 19 years old, while living and working in Honolulu, Momoa decided to audition for the television series Baywatch Hawaii,[1][9] in which he was cast as Jason Ioane (1999–2001).

In his audition for the role, he performed a Haka,[12] one of many intimidating Māori dances traditionally used to convey a challenge to an opponent, or a welcome to a visitor.

[13] Momoa directed and co-wrote Road to Paloma (2014), an American drama thriller film, together with writers Jonathan Hirschbein and Robert Homer Mollohan.

[16] In March 2014, Momoa joined the dark comedy/thriller indie Sugar Mountain alongside Cary Elwes and Haley Webb; its principal photography was done in Alaska.

[19] In June 2014, Momoa was reported to have been cast in the role of Arthur Curry / Aquaman, after he auditioned for Bruce Wayne / Batman.

[31][32] Between 2016 and 2018, Momoa portrayed Declan Harp in all three seasons of the Canadian historical drama television series Frontier and was an executive producer on the show.

[39] In December 2024, Momoa was announced to play Lobo in the DC Universe film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, scheduled to be released on June 26, 2026.

[58] In 2024, Momoa formed the power trio ÖOF TATATÁ alongside longtime friends Kenny Dale Borill and Mike Hayes, performing at Music City’s Cannery Hall in May.

[60] Momoa has numerous tattoos, including a half sleeve on his left forearm, a tribute to his family god, or aumakua.

[61] He participated in protests against the building of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea, a holy spiritual site for native Hawaiians.

[64][65] On November 15, 2008, Momoa was slashed across the face with a broken beer glass during an altercation at the Birds Cafe, a tavern in Los Angeles, California.