Chris Pratt’s biography is a fascinating success story highlighting his rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars. Born in Virginia, Minnesota, and raised in Washington state, Pratt’s life story includes working odd jobs and even facing homelessness before being discovered by a director while waiting tables in Hawaii. From his breakout role in Parks and Recreation to starring in blockbuster franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, Pratt’s journey to fame showcases his resilience, talent, and dedication to his craft.
Biography Summary
Christopher Michael Pratt, born on June 21, 1979, is an American actor known for his roles in both television and film. His early career gained traction in the late 2000s when he portrayed Andy Dwyer on NBC’s Parks and Recreation (2009–2015). He was also part of Everwood (2002–2006), a drama series on The WB, and had supporting roles in movies such as Wanted (2008), Jennifer’s Body (2009), Moneyball (2011), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), and Her (2013).
Pratt’s career significantly expanded as he starred in two major film franchises. He became widely recognized for portraying Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). He also played a key role as Owen Grady in the Jurassic World trilogy (2015–2022). His voice acting work includes popular roles in The Lego Movie franchise (2014–2019), Onward (2020), The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), and The Garfield Movie (2024).
In addition to his major franchise roles, Pratt starred in several other films, including The Magnificent Seven (2016), Passengers (2016), and The Tomorrow War (2021). Then, he ventured into television again, leading the action thriller series The Terminal List (2022).
In 2015, Time magazine named Pratt one of the 100 most influential people in the world. With a worldwide gross exceeding $13 billion from his films, he has established himself as one of the highest-earning actors in cinema.
Early Life
Christopher Michael Pratt was born in Virginia, Minnesota, on June 21, 1979. His mother, Kathleen Louise “Kathy” Pratt, worked at a Safeway supermarket, while his father, Daniel Clifton Pratt, was involved in mining and later in house remodeling. Sadly, his father passed away in 2014 due to multiple sclerosis.1 Pratt’s heritage includes Norwegian roots from his mother’s side, and he has two older siblings, Cully and Angie.
When Pratt was seven, the family relocated to Lake Stevens, Washington. He was an active student, placing fifth in a state wrestling tournament during high school. He also participated in track and field as a shot putter. Despite his success in sports, Pratt had a bigger dream. He once told his wrestling coach that he believed he would become famous and make a lot of money, even though he didn’t know how then. He graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1997.
After high school, Pratt briefly attended community college but dropped out after the first semester. He worked several jobs as a discount ticket salesman and even a daytime stripper. Eventually, Chris became homeless in Maui, Hawaii, where he lived out of a van and a tent on the beach. He later described the experience as “pretty awesome” because of the laid-back lifestyle, which involved drinking, smoking, and working just enough to cover basic expenses like gas and food.2 During this time, Pratt frequently listened to Dr. Dre’s 2001 album, memorizing all the lyrics, which he later rapped during an interview. He also worked with the Christian missionary group Jews for Jesus while living in Maui.
Career
2000–2013: Early Work and Breakthrough
At 19, Chris Pratt was waiting tables at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Maui when actress and director Rae Dawn Chong discovered him. She cast him in her directorial debut, the short horror film Cursed Part 3, filmed in Los Angeles. This was his first step into the acting world.
Pratt’s first television role came when he was cast as Harold Brighton “Bright” Abbott in Everwood. After the show was canceled, he joined the fourth season of The O.C., playing Winchester “Ché” Cook. He also had a notable appearance in the 2008 action film Wanted, where his character famously gets hit with a keyboard by James McAvoy’s character.
In 2009, Pratt took on the role of Andy Dwyer in NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Initially intended to be a temporary character, Pratt’s performance was so well-received that he became a regular on the show. This role marked a major turning point in his career.
I was an athlete growing up. I was a wrestler, I played football, so I can take a fall. I actually wanted to be a stuntman when I was kid, so I would practice falling down the stairs. It’s just something I like to do.
Chris Pratt
Pratt’s film career also began to rise when he portrayed Scott Hatteberg, a first baseman/catcher for the Oakland Athletics, in the 2011 movie Moneyball. Initially told he was too heavy, Pratt dedicated himself to losing 30 pounds (14 kilograms) to secure the role.3 Pratt played a more dramatic character in this film, diverging from the comedic roles he was known for.
He later gained weight for his role in 10 Years (2011) and then lost it again to portray a Navy SEAL in Zero Dark Thirty (2012). Pratt also appeared as a co-worker of Joaquin Phoenix’s character in the sci-fi romance Her (2013).
2014–Present: Franchise Work and Worldwide Recognition
By 2014, Chris Pratt had established himself in Hollywood with supporting roles, but this year truly transformed his career. He took on two leading roles in major films. First, he voiced Emmet Brickowski in The Lego Movie, which grossed $469.1 million worldwide. Shortly after, Pratt became Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, in Guardians of the Galaxy, a Marvel Studios film that earned $773.3 million globally. Despite initially declining the role, Pratt won over director James Gunn and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige with his audition, leading to a multi-film contract with Marvel. Critics praised his charismatic portrayal of Star-Lord, which became a defining role in his career.4
In 2015, Pratt fulfilled a childhood dream by starring in Jurassic World, where he played Owen Grady, a raptor trainer. A massive box office success, the film grossed $1.670 billion worldwide. His performance received positive feedback, with critics applauding his action-hero persona. He reprised the role in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in 2018, which, while commercially successful, drew mixed reviews regarding Pratt’s role in the film.5
Pratt continued to appear in other notable films. He played a gambler in The Magnificent Seven (2016) and starred alongside Jennifer Lawrence in the sci-fi movie Passengers (2016), portraying a mechanic stranded on a space voyage.
Pratt returned as Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in 2017 and later reprised the role in both Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). He also voiced Emmet once again in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019), adding a new character, Rex Dangervest, to the mix.
In 2020, Pratt founded his production company, Indivisible Productions. The company’s first project, The Terminal List, debuted on Amazon Prime Video in July 2022, with Pratt as the star and executive producer. He also voiced a lead character in Pixar’s Onward (2020) alongside Tom Holland.
In 2021, Pratt released new music with Parks and Recreation’s fictional band Mouse Rat, including the singles “The Pit” and “Two Birds Holding Hands,” followed by the album Mouse Rat: The Awesome Album.
Pratt’s voice acting continued with his controversial casting as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in 2023. Despite the initial criticism, the film garnered significant attention. He also took on Garfield’s voice in the upcoming movie, The Garfield Movie.
In 2022, Pratt reprised his role as Owen Grady in Jurassic World Dominion, and he is set to star alongside Millie Bobby Brown in The Electric State. He also appeared as Mr. P in Pringles commercials, including one shown during the Super Bowl in 2024.6
Public Image
In March 2014, Chris Pratt received the CinemaCon Award for Breakthrough Performer, marking his growing prominence in Hollywood. Pratt’s physical transformation was a topic of media attention, highlighted in Entertainment Weekly’s July 18 issue. The article detailed his changing physique over the years, from 220 pounds (100 kg) for Everwood to 295 pounds (134 kg) for Delivery Man, and then down to 225–230 pounds (102–104 kg) for his roles in Zero Dark Thirty and Guardians of the Galaxy.7 He humorously addressed his weight changes during his musical monologue while hosting Saturday Night Live on September 27, 2014.
On April 21, 2017, Pratt was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for his contributions to the film industry. His star is located at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard.
Personal Life
In 2007, Chris Pratt met actress Anna Faris on the Take Me Home Tonight set, where they played love interests. They got engaged in late 2008 and married on July 9, 2009, in Bali, Indonesia, eloping spontaneously after attending a friend’s wedding. The couple lived in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles and welcomed a son in 2012, born nine weeks prematurely and weighing only 3 pounds 12 ounces (1.7 kg). Pratt later said that his son’s difficult birth strengthened his faith, as he and Faris prayed during the challenging time.8
In 2017, Pratt and Faris announced their separation, stating that they had tried hard to make their relationship work but were ultimately disappointed. Pratt filed for divorce on December 1, 2017, and it was finalized on October 31, 2018. They agreed to share joint custody of their son.
In June 2018, Pratt began dating author Katherine Schwarzenegger, having been introduced by her mother, Maria Shriver. The couple became engaged in January 2019 and married in Montecito, California, on June 8, 2019. They honeymooned in Lanai, Hawaii. Pratt and Schwarzenegger welcomed their first daughter in 2020, followed by a second daughter in May 2022. Through this marriage, Pratt is now part of the extended Kennedy family.
Being in good physical shape is the best way to combat depression. You just have endorphins running around your body. It is the best anti-depressive that there is.
Chris Pratt
Raised in a Lutheran household, Pratt later worked with Jews for Jesus before becoming a non-denominational Christian. He is known to attend the Zoe Church in Los Angeles, which has ties to the Hillsong Church. Pratt has faced criticism for his association with the church, which has been accused of being anti-LGBTQ. He responded by stating that his church welcomes everyone and denied that it holds any discriminatory views. Director James Gunn also defended Pratt, addressing calls for him to be recast in Guardians of the Galaxy due to these criticisms.
In a 2022 Men’s Health interview, Pratt reflected on the controversy surrounding his faith, explaining that while he holds a deep belief in God, he does not consider himself to be religious in the traditional sense. He emphasized the distinction between faith in God and the misuse of religion for harmful purposes.9
Politically, Pratt donated to Barack Obama‘s 2012 campaign but has described himself as someone who does not align strictly with either side of the political spectrum. He has expressed a desire to promote common ground in politics.
In 2023, Pratt and Schwarzenegger purchased the historic Ellwood Zimmerman House in Brentwood, California. However, they demolished it to make way for a larger home.
Philanthropy
In 2015, Chris Pratt and Anna Faris donated $1 million to a charity providing eyeglasses to needy children. Their son, born prematurely and visually impaired, inspired the donation. They also contributed to the neonatal intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and supported March of Dimes, an organization focused on preventing premature births, congenital disabilities, and infant mortality.
In December 2016, Pratt donated $500,000 to fund a teen center in his hometown of Lake Stevens, Washington.10 The center was named in honor of his late father.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2021, Pratt donated $20,000 to fight hunger in South Carolina as part of a larger effort to raise $650,000 for food insecurity relief.11 He also helped create the charity Feed Thy Neighbor, contributing $100,000. Additionally, he donated $10,000 to the Edmonds Food Bank and supported the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and Edmonds Waterfront Center in Washington state.
Awards
- 2014: CinemaCon Awards, —, Breakthrough Performer of the Year
- 2014: Detroit Film Critics Society, Guardians of the Galaxy, Best Ensemble
- 2015: Saturn Awards, Guardians of the Galaxy, Best Actor
- 2016: MTV Movie Awards, Jurassic World, Best Action Performance
- 2017: Teen Choice Awards, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi
- 2018: MTV Movie & TV Awards, —, MTV Generation Award
- 2018: Teen Choice Awards, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Choice Summer Movie Actor
- 2019: Kids’ Choice Awards, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Favorite Butt-Kicker
Final Reflections
Chris Pratt’s biography reflects his ability to navigate personal challenges while achieving remarkable professional success, making him an inspiration to many aspiring actors and fans around the world. His success story includes overcoming financial hardship and homelessness before becoming a leading man in Hollywood.
Reference List for Chris Pratt’s Biography
- Heath, Chris, and Peggy Sirota. “Chris Pratt on His Late Father and How He Feels About Him Now.” GQ, 17 June 2015. ↩︎
- Aftab, Kaleem. “Chris Pratt: From Parks and Recreation to Guardians of the Galaxy.” The Independent, 30 July 2014 ↩︎
- Rosen, Christopher. “The Very Busy Chris Pratt on Preparing for Moneyball, Goofing in What’s Your Number? and Ten Year.” Movieline, 29 Aug. 2011. Archived copy. ↩︎
- Diones, Bruce. “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The New Yorker, 2014. ↩︎
- Lowry, Brian. “‘Jurassic World’ Sequel Unleashes Mindless Monster Mayhem.” CNN, 21 June 2018. ↩︎
- Huff, Lauren. “Chris Pratt Takes on the ‘Role of a Lifetime’ as the Pringles Man in New Super Bowl Ad.” EW.com, 5 Feb. 2024. ↩︎
- Collis, Clark. “How Chris Pratt Went from Zero to Hero.” Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 2014, pp. 24–31. ↩︎
- “Chris Pratt Says Premature Son’s Birth ‘Restored My Faith’ Before Guardians of the Galaxy.” People, 30 July 2014, updated 8 Dec. 2020. ↩︎
- Rapkin, Mickey. “How Chris Pratt Became the People’s Chris.” Men’s Health, 28 June 2022. ↩︎
- Bacardi, Francesca. “Chris Pratt Donates $500,000 to Teen Center Built in Honor of His Late Father.” E! Online, 23 Dec. 2016. ↩︎
- Cline, Andrew. “Chris Pratt Donates $20,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank.” ABC News 4, 3 Feb. 2021, WCIV Staff. ↩︎
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