"Game of Thrones" star Kit Harrington, 28, is not really pleased when fans call him a "hunk" since this shows that they place more value on his physical appearance rather than his credibility as an actor.
"To always be put on a pedestal as a hunk is slightly demeaning," he told Page Six. "It really is, and it's in the same way as it is for women. When an actor is seen only for her physical beauty, it can be quite offensive."
Whenever people ask him, "Do you like being a heartthrob" or "Do you like being a hunk?" Harrington would always answer: "That's not what I got into it for."
In "Game of Thrones," Harrington plays Jon Snow, a fierce warrior who now rules as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He has nothing but respect for the character he plays in the series, and he hopes the fans would focus on his portrayal of Snow more than his looks.
"I'm in a successful TV show in a kind of leading man way, and it can sometimes feel like your art is being put to one side for your sex appeal. And I don't like that," he said.
The actor said he has found a lot of similarities between him and his character, which he has grown to love and respect.
"Well, I have an inner warrior," he shared. "And I'm proud of my inner warrior. He fights for me every day. That's one of the things I like about myself. I can be quite brave in situations and foolhardy at the same time. Like Jon, just like Jon."
Another similarity they have is that they both have a thing for redheads, and they are somewhat of a "black sheep" in their social circles.
"I don't feel like I'm an outcast in society like he is, but I share his difficulty in fitting in sometimes. Also, we're quite private people. I can be just as introverted as Jon. I'm not naturally good at being an extrovert, being showy," he said. "Although around my friends I can be quite lively."
