The enduring, affectionate friendship between Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa, who played the iconic couple Daenerys Targaryen (Khaleesi) and Khal Drogo in HBO’s Game of Thrones, is one of Hollywood’s most beloved off-screen pairings. Their bond is so intense that their reunions are never a gentle affair—they are full-contact events that frequently involve the 6-foot-4-inch Momoa literally tackling his petite co-star.
Clarke has often confessed that while Momoa looks huge and intimidating, his personality is more akin to an “overzealous puppy,” making his explosive greetings an unavoidable part of their friendship.
The Full-Contact Reunion: A “Rugby Tackle”
Emilia Clarke, who stands 5-foot-2, has publicly recounted the physical shock of her first meeting with Jason Momoa and every subsequent reunion since. The pattern is consistent: Momoa, fueled by excitement, closes the distance with speed and force.
The famous moment was cemented when Clarke recounted their first meeting in a hotel lobby in Belfast, Ireland, before filming Season 1 of Game of Thrones:
“I walked in and from the other side of this enormous lobby I hear, ‘Wifey!’ and this huge Hawaiian man comes bounding over to me, picks me up, and genuinely gets me in a rugby tackle to the floor.”
This “rugby tackle” has become their signature greeting, a moment she admitted she can only surrender to. Whether at awards ceremonies or casual meetups, Momoa would often run from a distance, lunge at her like a football player, and throw her to the ground to hug her. She said, “He’s so big that I didn’t know what to do except let him toss me around like a ball.” “He Literally Tackled Me to the Ground!” Clarke reveals, perfectly capturing the shock and affection of the moment.
Data Points: A Partnership Rooted in Respect
Despite the physical humor, the relationship between Clarke and Momoa is deeply rooted in mutual respect and support, particularly concerning their early, challenging scenes on Game of Thrones.
The On-Screen Role: Momoa played Khal Drogo in the show’s first season, a powerful Dothraki warlord who marries Daenerys Targaryen. Though his time on the show was relatively short, the emotional intensity of their storyline created a lasting off-screen bond.
Protection on Set: Clarke revealed that Momoa took great care of her during their difficult intimacy scenes in Season 1. As a young, inexperienced actress, she stated that Momoa recognized her discomfort and made sure she was looked after, saying, “He took care of me in an environment where I didn’t know I needed to be taken care of.” He would constantly check on her, ensuring she was warm and comfortable.
The Dothraki Love: Their closeness continues to be shared with fans through social media. Momoa frequently refers to Clarke by their Dothraki pet names, calling her his “Moon of My Life,” while Clarke calls him her “Sun and Stars.”
Related Notable Events: The Grammys and Oscars Reunions
The public has been delighted by numerous photographic proofs of their boisterous reunions.
The Bench Press: At an early birthday celebration for Game of Thrones co-creator David Benioff, Clarke shared a picture where Momoa was effortlessly holding her up in his arms, writing the humorous caption: “When your sun and stars rolls into town you check that he can still bench press a Khaleesi.”
The Oscars: In 2019, the pair shared a warm embrace at the Academy Awards, posing for pictures alongside Momoa’s then-wife, Lisa Bonet, demonstrating the close, family-like nature of their enduring friendship.
For Emilia Clarke, the terrifying yet sweet “tackle” from Jason Momoa is not a threat, but the most genuine, high-octane form of love from a friend who acts like a giant, protective puppy.