Why Does Jonathan Roumie Wear Skull Rings? ‘The Chosen’ Star Explains
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Jonathan Roumie brings Jesus to life on screen, but off-screen, one accessory may surprise fans: the skull rings on his fingers.
So, why does the outspoken Christian wear symbols so often closely associated with death?
Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the hit series The Chosen, explained the meaning behind the rings in a new Instagram video, giving fans a peek at his unusual jewelry and the faith that inspires it.
“A lot of people ask me about my skull rings,” Roumie says in the video before showcasing three skull rings on his left hand, one on his right, and a skull symbol on a necklace.
Roumie said the explanation is simple: The skulls remind him that his time on Earth will one day end.
“People think it's strange that I want a constant reminder of death,” Roumie said. “Honestly, though, we are all called to remember that our time here on this earth, in this life, is limited, and that we're all called to be saints. These skulls remind me to spend energy on the right things each day.”
Roumie, a devout Catholic and a spokesperson for the Hallow Catholic devotional app, said that reminder also informs his prayer life. Hallow, he added, asked him to lead its “memento mori” prayer challenge.
“Memento mori is Latin for ‘remember that you will die.’ Pretty uplifting, right? Not really, but it is powerful. And so I'd love for you to join me and be reminded that one day we will all die.”
He ended his video with the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid.”
It wasn’t the first time Roumie had explained the meaning behind his skull accessories.
In 2021, he told InfoChretienne that the practice began years earlier when he portrayed a drummer in a New York City play and bought a skull ring in the East Village as an accessory for the character.
Years later, a friend who is a nun spotted the ring and mentioned the Latin phrase he now knows well: “memento mori.” Intrigued, Roumie asked what it meant and came to embrace the spiritual significance behind the symbol.
“There was nothing macabre about it,” he said, referencing a constant reminder of death.
“I wear these rings as symbols to remind myself that life is fleeting, that our time on earth is limited, and we must use it wisely to serve God and others in the best way possible.”
Photo Credit: Screen Grab/JonathanRoumie/Instagram
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published October 30, 2026.
