Actress Sophie Turner recently revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that a special piece of jewelry played a pivotal role in her landing the role of Jean Grey in the blockbuster X-Men franchise. The 29-year-old actress, best known for her breakthrough role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, shared that her late grandfather’s wedding ring acted as a good luck charm during her audition for the 2016 film X-Men: Apocalypse.

Sophie Turner’s Emotional Tribute to Her Grandfather

During her January 7 interview, Turner expressed deep gratitude to her grandfather, Robert Jesse Cotton, who worked as a supporting artist in several television productions before passing away. She credited him not only as a personal hero but also as a key influence on her career.

“He’s my hero. My total hero,” Turner told Jimmy Fallon. “When he passed away, I got his wedding ring… I think it was only a couple of weeks before my screen test for X-Men, and I wore it for the audition—and I got the role.”

Turner pointed skyward while speaking, paying tribute to her grandfather and acknowledging the sentimental significance of the ring. Fallon echoed the sentiment, remarking, “He’s watching down. He’s taking care of you,” to which Turner confidently replied, “He is.”

Landing Jean Grey in X-Men

Turner first portrayed Jean Grey in 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse and reprised the role in 2019’s Dark Phoenix. The actress explained that the wedding ring she wore during her audition brought her confidence and perhaps a touch of luck, which she believes was instrumental in securing one of her most iconic roles outside of Game of Thrones.

The actor’s insight offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how personal connections and meaningful keepsakes can influence casting decisions in Hollywood, highlighting the intersection of family legacy and career milestones.

Life Beyond the X-Men Franchise

Sophie Turner continues to enjoy both professional and personal achievements. She is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Game of Thrones and is approaching her 30th birthday on February 21, 2026. Turner is also balancing motherhood with her acting career, recently speaking candidly about her self-work and therapy in preparation for this new chapter of her life.

In an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Turner reflected:

“I’ve been doing a lot of self-work because I want to enter this new chapter of my life really confident in myself. I want to know myself as well as I can. So I’ve been doing a hell of a lot of therapy the past few months, and now I feel really ready to go into my 30s.”

Turner also has exciting new projects lined up, including her lead role in the upcoming Prime Video series Steal, signaling that the actress’s career continues to thrive a decade after her iconic X-Men debut.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Sophie Turner’s story resonates as a reminder of the power of personal tokens, family influence, and self-belief in achieving career milestones. The combination of her grandfather’s symbolic gift and her professional dedication helped Turner carve a unique path in Hollywood, cementing her status as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.