Chris Hemsworth was born on August 11, 1983 in Melbourne, Australia. He grew up in Bulman, a small Outback town in the Northern Territory of Australia. His father Craig was an English teacher and his mother Leonie was an English tutor. Chris has two older brothers, Luke and Liam, who also became actors.
As a child, Chris was very active and enjoyed surfing, football, and other sports. Though academically gifted, he struggled to focus on traditional schooling and was more passionate about sports and the outdoors.
At age 17, Chris’s friend’s father offered him a role in the soap opera Neighbours. This first taste of acting convinced Chris to pursue acting as a career. After graduating high school, Chris began taking acting lessons.
Early Career – Soaps, Dancing, and More
Chris’s first big break was being cast as Kim Hyde on Neighbours in 2004. He played this role for three years and won a Logie Award – Australian TV’s top honor – for Most Popular New Male Talent.
After leaving Neighbours in 2007, Chris had a three-episode arc on The Marshall Law. He also participated in the fifth season of Dancing With the Stars Australia, where he was paired with professional dancer Abbey Ross. They were eliminated sixth in the competition.
In 2009, Chris starred in the horror film A Perfect Getaway with Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant. His first American feature film role helped further his acting career.
Chris Hemsworth’s Soap Opera and Dancing Show Roots
- Landed his first major role in Neighbours in 2004
- Played Kim Hyde on Neighbours for 3 years
- Won Logie Award for Most Popular New Male Talent for role
- Competed on Season 5 of Dancing With the Stars Australia
- Paired with professional dancer Abbey Ross
Landing the Role of Thor
Chris’s big Hollywood break came in 2009 when he was cast as the Marvel superhero Thor in the 2011 film of the same name. Director Kenneth Branagh reportedly saw Chris’s audition tape and immediately knew he had found his Thor.
To physically transform into the muscular god of thunder, Chris gained 20 pounds of muscle and trained with a dialect coach to perfect Thor’s speech patterns.
Thor ended up being a critical and commercial smash hit. It established Chris Hemsworth as a major force in Hollywood and spawned numerous sequels in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Recent Films and Projects
Thanks to playing Thor, Chris has his choice of roles today. Some of his most acclaimed recent projects include:
Rush (2013) -Playing 1970s Formula 1 racer James Hunt, Chris earned a BAFTA nomination for this Ron Howard film.
In the Heart of the Sea (2015) – Chris starred as first mate Owen Chase in this seafaring thriller directed by Ron Howard.
Ghostbusters (2016) – Chris surprised fans with a comedic turn in this all-female Ghostbusters reboot.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – The third Avengers ensemble film broke numerous box office records.
Bad Times at El Royale (2018) – This neo-noir thriller from Drew Goddard featured one of Chris’s most complex performances.
Avengers: Endgame (2019) – Chris reprised his role as Thor in the epic finale to Marvel’s Infinity Saga.
Extraction (2020) – Chris demonstrated his action chops in this Netflix thriller that he also produced.
In addition to these and other films, Chris executive produces and occasionally stars in the National Geographic docuseries Limitless exploring human resilience.
Chris Hemsworth’s Acclaimed Recent Films
- Rush (2013) – played Formula 1 driver James Hunt
- In the Heart of the Sea (2015) – starred as first mate Owen Chase
- Ghostbusters (2016) – comedic turn in all-female reboot
- Avengers films – played Thor in MCU’s biggest hits
- Bad Times at El Royale (2018) – complex performance in neo-noir
- Extraction (2020) – produced and starred in Netflix action thriller
Personal Life and Family
Chris began dating Spanish actress Elsa Pataky in early 2010 after meeting through their mutual representatives. They married by the end of that year in Indonesia.
Chris and Elsa have three children together – a daughter born in 2012 and twin sons born in 2014. Wanting to raise their kids away from the Hollywood spotlight, Chris and his family live mostly in Byron Bay on the east coast of Australia.
In 2015, Chris, Elsa, and other members of the Hemsworth family launched The Australian Childhood Foundation, which supports children at risk of abuse and neglect.
Beyond acting, Chris remains an avid surfer, boxer, and exerciser to stay in shape for roles. HisTraining and diet plan has become a model for others striving for superhero physiques.
Chris Hemsworth’s Personal Life Fast Facts
- Married Spanish actress Elsa Pataky in 2010
- Three kids together – daughter (b. 2012) and twin sons (b. 2014)
- Primary residence in Byron Bay, Australia away from Hollywood
- Launched Australian Childhood Foundation charity in 2015
- Avid exerciser, surfer, and boxer to stay in superhero shape
Chris Hemsworth’s Net Worth
According to financial reports, Chris Hemsworth’s salary increased substantially after starring as Marvel’s Thor. His paycheck jumped to $15 million for Thor: Ragnarok up from $150,000 for the first Thor movie. Thanks to backend box office bonuses, he has earned even more from hits like the Avengers films.
As of 2023, multiple outlets estimate Chris Hemsworth’s net worth to be approximately $130 million.
In addition to acting paychecks, Chris earns millions from endorsement deals with major brands like TAG Heuer luxury watches. He also launched his own fitness app Centr in 2019 that contributes additional income.
Between blockbuster movie salaries and endorsement deals, Chris Hemsworth’s star power, popularity, and bank account continue rising exponentially. As arguably Hollywood’s top action star today, his net worth is expected to grow substantially in the coming years.
Chris Hemsworth’s $130 Million Net Worth Breakdown
- Earned $150,000 for first Thor film in 2011
- Salary jumped to $15 million for Thor: Ragnarok
- Additional backend box office bonuses especially from Avengers hits
- Major endorsement deals with TAG Heuer, Under Armour, others
- Launched successful Centr fitness app in 2019
- Net worth estimated at $130 million and rising fast
Conclusion
In just over a decade, Chris Hemsworth has become one of the most bankable and versatile movie stars on the planet. With his humble beginnings in Australian soap operas, his stratospheric rise to Marvel superstardom as Thor seemed unlikely.
But thanks to his natural talent, charismatic screen presence, work ethic, and physique transformation, Hemsworth is now a key member of Hollywood’s A-List.
While best known as Thor, especially to Marvel fans, Chris continues proving his acting chops in various genres from drama to comedy. Directors like Ron Howard and Drew Goddard have praised his focus and dedication to every role.
Off screen, Chris devotes time and money to philanthropic endeavors like his Australian Childhood Foundation charity. He also lives mostly away from Los Angeles to give his children a normal upbringing in his native Australia.
At just 40 years old, Chris Hemsworth’s career remains in its prime. Given his fortunes today, one can only imagine how his biography and net worth will expand in the future. For now, he has certainly secured his place in Hollywood history as the iconic face of Marvel’s Thor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chris Hemsworth
Who are Chris Hemsworth’s parents and brothers?
Chris’s parents are Craig and Leonie Hemsworth. His brothers are Luke Hemsworth and Liam Hemsworth, both of whom are also actors.
Where was Chris Hemsworth born?
Chris Hemsworth was born on August 11, 1983 in Melbourne, Australia. However, he grew up primarily in the Outback Northern Territory town of Bulman.
How did Chris Hemsworth get his start as an actor?
At age 17, Chris was offered a role on the Australian soap opera Neighbours through a friend’s father. This first acting role convinced Chris to pursue acting as a career path.
What was Chris Hemsworth’s breakthrough Hollywood role?
Chris’s big Hollywood breakout came when he was cast as the titular superhero in Marvel’s 2011 film Thor. This launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe and his fame playing Thor.
Is Chris Hemsworth married? Who is his wife?
Yes, Chris Hemsworth is married to Spanish actress Elsa Pataky. They wed in 2010 after meeting earlier that same year through their mutual talent representatives.
How many kids does Chris Hemsworth have?
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have three children together – a daughter born in 2012 and twin sons born in 2014.
Where does Chris Hemsworth currently live?
Wanting to raise their children away from Hollywood, Chris and his family live primarily in Byron Bay, Australia on the east coast. This allows them to live away from fame.
What is Chris Hemsworth’s net worth?
As of 2023, Chris Hemsworth’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $130 million thanks to acting salaries, backend box office bonuses, and endorsement deals.