1. Early Life
Christopher Michael Pratt was born June 21, 1979, in Virginia, Minnesota. He was raised primarily in Lake Stevens, Washington, near Seattle.
His parents were:
- Father: Daniel Pratt, who worked in construction and home remodeling.
- Mother: Kathleen Pratt, who worked at a supermarket.
Chris graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1997. He was athletic and particularly interested in wrestling.
He briefly attended community college but never completed a degree.
2. Homeless in Hawaii:
An Unlikely Beginning
Before becoming a Hollywood star, Pratt experienced some difficult years.
He moved to Maui, Hawaii, where he lived in a van and sometimes camped on the beach. He worked as a waiter at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant.
His big break came in 2000 when actress and director Rae Dawn Chong visited the restaurant.
Pratt introduced himself, and she asked whether he could act.
He enthusiastically said yes!
She subsequently cast him in the short film Cursed Part 3. Pratt has recalled having only about $60 when this opportunity arose.
That chance encounter changed his life.
3. Television Breakthrough
His first significant television opportunity came with Everwood (2002–2006), where he played Bright Abbott.
He subsequently appeared in The O.C. before landing the role that would make him especially popular with television audiences.
Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
Pratt played Andy Dwyer, a goofy, lovable musician. His comedic performance helped establish him as one of television's most entertaining actors.
4. Hollywood Blockbuster Stardom
His career took off internationally with several major films.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Played Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord.
- Jurassic World (2015): Played dinosaur trainer Owen Grady.
- The Magnificent Seven (2016): Starred alongside Denzel Washington.
- Passengers (2016): Appeared with Jennifer Lawrence.
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018): Returned as Star-Lord.
- Avengers: Endgame (2019): Continued his Marvel role.
- The Tomorrow War (2021): Played a former soldier fighting an alien invasion.
- The Terminal List (2022): Played Navy SEAL commander James Reece.
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023): Voiced Mario.
- The Garfield Movie (2024): Voiced Garfield.
- The Electric State (2025): Starred alongside Millie Bobby Brown.
5. Marriage and Family
Pratt married actress Anna Faris in 2009. They met while filming Take Me Home Tonight.
Their son, Jack, was born nine weeks prematurely in August 2012. He weighed less than four pounds and spent time in the hospital.
Pratt and Faris separated in 2017 and finalized their divorce in 2018.
In 2019, Pratt married Katherine Schwarzenegger, the daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.
They have three children together:
- Lyla, born 2020.
- Eloise, born 2022.
- Ford, born 2024.
Pratt also has his son Jack from his first marriage.
6. His Christian Faith:
A Significant Part of His Life
One of the more interesting aspects of Pratt's biography is his public Christian faith.
He has described a spiritual encounter in Hawaii that helped change the direction of his life.
While preparing to go to a party, a stranger approached him and reportedly said that Jesus had instructed him to speak with Chris.
The encounter made a profound impression on Pratt. He subsequently described becoming a Christian.
Another significant event was the premature birth of his son Jack.
Pratt and Anna Faris prayed during the frightening period when their son was hospitalized. Jack eventually recovered, and Pratt has spoken about how the experience strengthened his faith in God.
He has publicly encouraged people to pray and has quoted Scripture in accepting awards.
When he received his Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2017, he referenced Psalm 126:3:
"The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."
He has also spoken about his belief that God has a purpose for his life.
Pratt has faced criticism over his religious beliefs, but he has continued to speak openly about his faith.
7. Interesting Facts
- He stands approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall.
- He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.
- He lost considerable weight and developed an impressive physique for Guardians of the Galaxy.
- He has voiced several major animated characters, including Mario, Emmet in The Lego Movie, and Garfield.
- His father-in-law is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- He enjoys hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities.
- His career demonstrates how an unexpected encounter and a willingness to take a chance can change someone's life.
## 8. A Movie Worth Watching
The Terminal List (2022)
This is a particularly interesting departure from Pratt's usual comedic and science-fiction roles.
He plays James Reece, a Navy SEAL whose entire team is killed during a disastrous mission. As he investigates what happened, he uncovers a conspiracy.
It is a serious military action thriller that showcases a very different side of his acting abilities.
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## Sources and Further Reading
1. Biography.com – Chris Pratt's biography:
2. CBN News – Chris Pratt recounts the encounter that led him to faith:
3. ABC News – Chris Pratt discusses his faith and marriage:
4. GQ – Chris Pratt and His Guardian Angels:
5. Vanity Fair – Chris Pratt's journey to stardom:
