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Chris Pratt: Hollywood‘s Lovable Leading Man

Full Name Christopher Michael Pratt
Age 44
Birthday June 21, 1979
Birthplace Virginia, Minnesota, United States
Height 6‘ 2"
Net Worth $80 million
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Twitter @prattprattpratt
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Christopher Michael Pratt, known professionally as Chris Pratt, is an American actor who has emerged as one of Hollywood‘s most popular and bankable leading men in recent years. With his trademark charm, humor, and rugged good looks, Pratt has starred in some of the biggest blockbuster franchises and become a fan favorite celebrity around the globe.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on June 21, 1979 in Virginia, Minnesota, Chris Pratt was raised in Lake Stevens, Washington as the youngest of three siblings. He came from a working-class family – his father worked in mining and his mother worked at a Safeway supermarket.

As a teen, Pratt wrestled and played football in high school before dropping out of community college. At age 19, he moved to Maui, Hawaii, working odd jobs like waiting tables and even briefly becoming an amateur stripper.

Pratt was discovered in Maui by actress and director Rae Dawn Chong, who cast him in a short horror film. That launched Pratt‘s acting career, and he soon landed small roles on TV shows like The Huntress and Everwood.

One of Pratt‘s earliest regular TV roles was Bright Abbott on Everwood from 2002 to 2006. This breakthrough part showed off his talent for comedy and endearing charm even in a supporting character.

Rise to Fame on Parks and Recreation

Chris Pratt‘s big break came in 2009 when he was cast as Andy Dwyer on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation starring Amy Poehler. As the lovable but dimwitted slacker Andy, Pratt immediately stood out with his energetic and hilarious performance.

Playing Andy allowed Pratt to showcase his natural comedic abilities and improvisation skills. Many of Andy‘s funniest moments were improvised by Pratt himself. With his endearing dopey charm, Andy became a fan-favorite right away.

Pratt remained on Parks and Rec for the show‘s entire seven season run until 2015. His career took off during those years as he started landing major film roles while still starring on the acclaimed sitcom. Andy Dwyer and his relationship with April Ludgate (played by Aubrey Plaza) became one of the most beloved parts of Parks and Rec.

Leading Man Blockbuster Success

While on Parks and Rec, Chris Pratt began his transition from TV comedy star to box office leading man. He had supporting roles in Oscar-nominated films like Moneyball and Zero Dark Thirty that demonstrated his dramatic acting abilities.

Pratt‘s first major leading man role came as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the 2014 Marvel superhero film Guardians of the Galaxy. To get into action hero shape for the iconic role, Pratt lost 60 pounds in just 6 months through diligent diet and exercise.

With his mix of humor, swagger, and surprising emotional depth as Star-Lord, Pratt was a revelation in Guardians of the Galaxy. The film was a massive critical and commercial smash, grossing over $770 million worldwide.

Pratt‘s career reached even greater heights the next year with Jurassic World in 2015. His role as Owen Grady, a navy veteran and velociraptor trainer, cemented his status as one of Hollywood‘s top leading men. Jurassic World shattered box office records with over $1.6 billion in ticket sales globally.

Since then, Pratt has starred in a diverse range of major blockbuster franchises:

  • Reprised Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and the Avengers films Infinity War and Endgame.
  • Returned for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
  • Headlined action movies like The Magnificent Seven and The Tomorrow War.
  • Voiced lead roles in animated hits like The Lego Movie and Pixar‘s Onward.

With his box office power, relatable charm, and proven acting chops, Pratt has become one of the most in-demand actors working today. He commands massive salaries upwards of $10 million per film.

Personal Life and Charitable Causes

In Pratt‘s personal life, he met actress Anna Faris on the set of Take Me Home Tonight in 2007. The couple married in 2009 and welcomed their son Jack in 2012 before separating in 2017. Their divorce was finalized in 2018.

That same year, Pratt began dating Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and they married in 2019. He and Katherine have two daughters together.

Pratt is also known for his strong Christian faith and has been outspoken about his religious beliefs. He lives with his family in Los Angeles, California when not filming on location.

Beyond acting, Pratt makes giving back a priority through extensive charity work. He is an ambassador for the Special Olympics and makes frequent visits to children‘s hospitals. Pratt also supports organizations that help veterans, ill children, animal welfare and more. His commitment to philanthropy makes him even more admirable.

What Makes Chris Pratt So Lovable

With his unique blend of talent, charisma and heart, it‘s no surprise Chris Pratt has become one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood today. Here are some of the key qualities that make him so darn lovable.

His Comedic Skills

Pratt first wowed audiences with his comedy chops on Parks and Rec. He has an innate talent for delivering jokes and improvising humor that never fails to crack people up. Even in action films, Pratt brings wit and levity to every scene.

His Down-to-Earth Persona

Despite his A-list fame, Pratt comes across as super humble and down-to-earth. He‘s never afraid to make fun of himself and doesn‘t put on Hollywood pretensions. His "average guy" charisma makes him super relatable.

His Diverse Acting Abilities

From comedy to action to drama, Pratt has showcased impressive range as an actor. He disappears into every role he takes on, from goofball Andy Dwyer to leading men like Owen Grady and Star-Lord. The man‘s got some serious acting chops.

His Rugged Good Looks and Charm

Pratt‘s all-American handsome features, killer smile, and undeniable charisma give him leading man appeal. He‘s got that effortless movie star charm that draws you in on screen. Not to mention his fit physique and sharp style.

His Dedication to Giving Back

Pratt‘s extensive charity work and commitment to using his platform for good is hugely admirable. He has a huge heart and wants to make a difference for others. His spirit of generosity makes him all the more appealing.

The Future Looks Bright for Chris Pratt

At only 44 years old, Chris Pratt remains at the peak of his career with no signs of slowing down. He has multiple major franchises he‘ll continue leading like Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Pratt also has several exciting projects on the horizon. He‘s set to star in the upcoming Amazon Prime series The Terminal List in 2023. More blockbuster film leads seem guaranteed going forward given Pratt‘s proven box office power.

With his one-of-a-kind blend of humor, heart, talent and charisma, Chris Pratt has cemented his place as one of Hollywood‘s most popular leading men. His future looks brighter than ever.

One thing‘s for sure – we‘ll be seeing Pratt‘s lovable face on the big screen for many years to come. And movie audiences around the world are more than happy to have him stay.