The Actor Advocating for Doctors Without Borders and LGBTQ Youth

“It’s sort of cowed us in a way,” Pascal said during an interview with Sky News in London. “It makes people reluctant to say what they feel because they don’t want to look like idiots and have things ripped out of context.”

Fear-mongering is a powerful force, for sure. The industry is saturated with stars who work with publicists and do nothing without corporate approval. Pascal understands the risk of opening up when most prefer to stay quiet. His candor sets him apart from others.

His off-screen personality feels in contrast with the celebrity machine that churns out content to sell movies. The actor who can often be found shouting against injustice or calling out oppressive regimes is also a superhero. He will appear in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps as Dr. Reed Richards.

Wearing costumes and microphones on film sets, Pascal is accustomed to having a voice. The four-time Emmy nominee might sound like a fictional character himself sometimes. And yet, his outspoken nature has found its way beyond red carpets, press releases, and box office receipts.

Listen Closely: What Pedro Pascal Has to Say

In a time when actors often feel they can’t say anything for fear of repercussions, Pascal continues to shout above the noise. In interviews, he talks about finding his calling, his Jewish faith, and advocating for social justice. On Instagram, he still uses his platform to post more than food or previews of his next film. There, Pascal frequently speaks on humanitarian issues and posts educational links for his 11 million followers.

Pascal, 50, has been in the spotlight for a while but continues to take risks. After he gave his recent interview with Sky News, a headline and a link were shared with his permission on The Trevor Project’s Twitter account. Doctors Without Borders retweeted a GIF of him with a link to their organisation. Pascal’s diverse range of causes and interests shows he’s more than what his character may say or do, in a Marvel movie.

“I just think that you have to be truthful to who you are,” Pascal told Sky News.

Pascal is hardly the only celebrity with big opinions or positions on a range of issues. Celebrities should have the freedom to express themselves, too. But a system of gatekeepers has also kept stars hushed up for fear of what might happen if they choose to speak.

“Again, I suppose there’s always a danger of saying things,” Pascal added, “But I prefer to be an idiot.”

His candor and dedication to his beliefs, beyond promotional interviews for the characters he plays, may not seem like a big deal. For fans, it makes Pascal’s career feel more like an ascent to stardom, rather than a cleverly crafted ascent to marketing heaven.

Pedro Pascal on The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Cast in films like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, Pascal takes a big step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Fantastic Four. He plays Richards, a scientist tasked with keeping the world safe, and his new child with Sue Storm. For the actor, it’s been another step along a winding journey toward a career in acting.

As he shared with Sky News, Pascal considers his rise to fame in the film industry an accomplishment. The veteran actor worked at film festivals before starting a career in front of the camera. Pascal also calls his experience working in New Zealand, as well as living in places like Chile, part of a formative journey.

“I didn’t want to be a fucking actor,” Pascal said about his decision to do festival work in New York. “At that time, I didn’t.”

Fast forward nearly three decades, and Pascal now shares trailers and private jets with Oscar winners and A-list directors. Pascal, with just a touch of self-effacing humor, admits that while he was once averse to fame, the industry has since “done everything it can” to change his mind. He credits his wife and daughter for helping him keep grounded and for keeping his life moving in the right direction.

Movies Will Keep Coming, But Pascal Won’t Shut Up

After he shared his final thoughts for his four-minute interview with Sky News, the camera lingered on Pascal, alone in his space, surrounded by Marvel posters and Fantastic Four props. He sat quietly and confidently while the producer talked about editing, distribution, and logistics for what would come next.

After his last interview, Pascal had a few hours to enjoy some time off in London. The next day, another busy round of meetings and interviews would start up for the actor in his first foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s a balancing act between publicity and personality, but Pascal has shown there is more to him than how the studio may want him to appear. The public will see more in April 2024 when The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters. Pascal, on the other hand, will continue to speak as he pleases.