<P> Christopher Catesby Harington (born 26 December 1986) is an English actor . </P> <P> Born in Acton, London, Harington studied acting at drama school, while starring in the National Theatre's adaptation of War Horse . His film debut was in Silent Hill: Revelation (2012). He has since appeared in films such as the romantic historical film Pompeii (2014), the computer - animated fantasy film How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) and the British drama film Testament of Youth (2014). </P> <P> Since 2011, Harington has risen to prominence playing the role of Jon Snow in the HBO television series Game of Thrones, which garnered him a nomination for the 2016 Primetime Emmy Award . In 2017, Harington became one of the highest paid actors on television and earned £ 2 million per episode of Game of Thrones . </P> <P> Harington was born on 26 December 1986 in Acton, London, to Deborah Jane (Catesby), a former playwright, and Sir David Richard Harington, 15th Baronet, a businessman . His full birth name is Christopher Catesby Harington . His mother named him after Christopher Marlowe, whose first name was shortened to Kit, a name Harington prefers . Harington's uncle was Sir Nicholas John Harington, 14th Baronet, and his patrilineal great - grandfather was Sir Richard Harington, 12th Baronet . Through his paternal grandmother, Lavender Cecilia Denny, Harington's eighth - great - grandfather was Charles II of England . Also, through his father, Harington descends from Scottish politician Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville . </P>

Who plays jon snow in games of thrones