Christopher Michael Pratt was born on June 21, 1979 in Virginia, Minnesota to Kathleen Louise and Daniel Clifton Pratt. His mother worked at a Safeway supermarket and his father worked in mining and later remodeling houses.
When Pratt was three years old, his family moved to Lake Stevens, Washington. Pratt was an athlete growing up, playing football, wrestling, and running track in high school. He was very popular in school and worked as a discount ticket salesman and daytime stripper.
High School and Dropping Out
Pratt ended up dropping out of community college halfway through his first year. He worked odd jobs for a few years before deciding to try acting after being “discovered” by actress and director Rae Dawn Chong while waiting tables at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant in Maui, Hawaii.
She cast Pratt in her directorial debut, the short horror film Cursed Part 3, which filmed in Los Angeles. This launched his acting career.
Early Acting Career (2002-2008)
After Cursed Part 3, Pratt secured a few small roles in films like The Extreme Team (2003) and Path of Destruction (2005). His first regular television role was as Harold Brighton “Bright” Abbott on the series Everwood from 2002 to 2006.
Breakout Role on Parks and Recreation
Pratt got his big break when he was cast as Andy Dwyer on the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation in 2008. Originally meant to be a temporary character, Andy was so likeable that producers asked Pratt back as a series regular.
Pratt played the lovable and goofy Andy for the show’s entire run from 2008 to 2015. This role established him as a talented comedic actor.
Table 1. Chris Pratt’s Early Television Roles
| Show | Character | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Everwood | Bright Abbott | 2002–2006 |
| The O.C. | Ché | 2007 |
| Parks and Recreation | Andy Dwyer | 2008–2015 |
Rise to Fame Through Film (2011-present)
While still working on Parks and Recreation, Pratt began pivoting to feature film roles. He had small parts in films like Jennifer’s Body, Wanted, Moneyball, and What’s Your Number?
Breakout Film Roles
His breakout film role came as Peter Quill / Star-Lord in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014. The film was a massive critical and commercial success, grossing over $773 million worldwide.
Pratt’s performance was widely praised, showing his talent as an action star with great comedic timing. He reprised the role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and multiple Avengers films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Some of his other major film roles include:
- Owen Grady in Jurassic World (2015) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
- Josh Faraday in The Magnificent Seven (2016)
- Jim Preston in Passengers (2016)
- Emmet Brickowski in The Lego Movie (2014) and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) (voice)
Continuous Success
Pratt remains one of Hollywood’s most popular and bankable stars. Some of his more recent roles include Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and The Tomorrow War (2021).
He is set to reprise his roles as Star-Lord and Owen Grady in upcoming Marvel and Jurassic World films. Outside of acting, Pratt owns a farm on San Juan Island in Washington that raises livestock. He also runs his own production company, Indivisible Productions.
Table 2. Chris Pratt’s Highest Grossing Films
| Film | Worldwide Gross |
|---|---|
| Avengers: Endgame | $2.79 billion |
| Avengers: Infinity War | $2.05 billion |
| Jurassic World | $1.67 billion |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | $863 million |
| Guardians of the Galaxy | $773 million |
Personal Life
Pratt married actress Anna Faris in 2009 after they met while filming Take Me Home Tonight. They have one son together, Jack, born in 2012. Pratt and Faris announced their legal separation in 2017 after 8 years of marriage and finalized their divorce in 2018. They issued a joint statement saying they “tried hard for a long time” but were disappointed they “were not able to repair the marriage.”
Current Marriage to Katherine Schwarzenegger
In 2018, Pratt began dating author Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. They married in 2019 and have two daughters together – Lyla Marie, born in 2020, and Eloise, born in 2022.
Pratt’s Acting Style & Persona
While capable of intense action roles, Pratt is best known for his comedy skills and goofy charm. He often plays loveable losers and awkward men-children, much like his star-making role as Andy Dwyer on Parks and Recreation.
Even in action movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, Pratt brings levity and jokes to his leading roles. His comedic background makes him a versatile performer able to switch between heavy drama and lighthearted humor.
Endearing Personality
Beyond his acting chops, Pratt’s friends and costars all remark on his relaxed, charming personality. He has repeatedly shown enthusiasm, humility, and kindness in his professional relationships. Combined with his tousled good looks, Pratt comes across as an endearing and funny everyman.
His demeanor and all-American charisma have undoubtedly contributed to his meteoric success as a leading man. Fans feel connected to the characters he plays.
Conclusion
In just two decades, Chris Pratt has become one of the most popular actors working today. After humble beginnings waiting tables and initially dropping out of community college, he worked hard to build up his acting resume in the early 2000s.
His talent for comedy and lovable goofy charm made him perfect for the role of Andy Dwyer on Parks and Recreation. That fan-favorite role launched him into superstardom and openings for action movie leading roles.
Pratt made the jump to big budget feature films without losing the charming personality and humor that makes him so engaging on screen. Whether battling genetically-engineered dinosaurs or saving the galaxy, Pratt brings depth and heart to his characters.
Off-screen, his laidback demeanor has made him hugely popular among fans and filmmakers alike. At only 42 years old, Pratt remains at the top of the Hollywood A-List with his career continuing to reach new heights. We can expect many more fantastic and funny performances for years to come.
FAQ About Chris Pratt
How did Chris Pratt get discovered as an actor?
Pratt was waiting tables in Maui, Hawaii when actress/director Rae Dawn Chong noticed him. She cast Pratt in her directorial debut, a short horror film, which brought him to Los Angeles and kickstarted his acting career.
What was Chris Pratt’s breakout role?
His role as Andy Dwyer on the comedy series Parks and Recreation from 2008 to 2015 brought Pratt mainstream popularity and critical acclaim. It showcased his talent for comedy.
What was Chris Pratt’s breakout movie role?
That was his role as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in Marvel’s 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy. The film and Pratt’s performance were hugely popular. It launched him as an action movie star.
Who is Chris Pratt married to now?
Pratt has been married to author Katherine Schwarzenegger since 2019. She is the daughter of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and broadcast journalist Maria Shriver.
Is Chris Pratt still acting?
Yes, Pratt remains one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors. He continues playing Star-Lord in Marvel films and Owen Grady in the Jurassic World series. He also has several other film and television projects currently in development.