Pedro Pascal's Name Change: A Tribute to his Late Mother

• celebrities

Pedro Pascal, the talented actor known for his role in the hit series "The Last of Us," has captivated audiences with his compelling performances. However, not many are aware of the story behind his name change.

A Forced Exile

Born in Chile as Jose Pedro Balmaceda, Pascal's family was forced to flee their home country when he was only nine months old.

His parents, Verónica Pascal, a child psychologist, and José Balmaceda, a fertility doctor, were active in resistance groups that sought to overthrow the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. The family moved to the United States, where they would start a new life.

A Tribute to his Mother

Tragically, Pascal's mother passed away in 1999, but her impact on her son's life remains immense. He changed his last name from Balmaceda, his father's surname, to Pascal, his mother's surname, in her honor. "She was always incredibly supportive, never a stage mom.

I always felt like she knew something that I didn't," Pascal shared in an interview with People in 2020. "None of [my success] would be real if it weren't for her."

A Name Change for Career Purposes

In addition to paying tribute to his late mother, Pascal also changed his surname due to practical reasons. "Americans had such a hard time pronouncing Balmaceda," he stated in an interview with Variety.

"It was overwhelming." The actor has always been dedicated to his craft and was willing to make changes to further his career. He even considered changing his first name, Alexander, which was an homage to the film "Fanny and Alexander," one of the formative movies of his youth.

Pedro Pascal's story is one of resilience, dedication, and love. Despite the challenges he faced in his personal life and career, he has risen to the top of his field and continues to captivate audiences with his talent.