Chris Pratt’s journey to stardom began in the most unlikely of places: a cramped trailer where he wore shoes three sizes too small. Once a boy who struggled to make ends meet, he would one day lead some of the biggest film franchises in Hollywood.
Born into a hardworking, blue-collar family, Chris spent his early years learning the value of resilience. His parents, Kathleen Louise, a grocery store checker, and Daniel Clifton, a construction worker, worked tirelessly to provide for their three children. Yet, no matter how hard they tried, financial security always seemed out of reach.
The family eventually settled in Lake Stevens, Washington, where Chris grew up with his older siblings, Cully and Angie. Life was far from easy. Shoes were often hand-me-downs or worn beyond their lifespan. Chris recalled vividly how important shoes were to him as a child, though they were always out of reach.
“There were times when my shoes were so small my toes stuck out of the front,” he shared. Winning $85 during a bingo game with his mom once allowed him a rare luxury. “I bought myself a pair of Reebok Pumps,” he said, smiling at the memory. “I wore those shoes for three years until they got so tight I had to cut the pump out with a razor just to make room. Even then, I couldn’t throw them away—I loved those shoes.”
However, small joys like that were overshadowed by larger hardships. The family lost their home while Chris was in high school, forcing them to move into a rental. When his parents offered him a loft in a shed outside their trailer, Chris declined, opting instead to live with a friend.
The challenges weighed heavily on the family, particularly on his father, who was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Chris described him as a tough man who grew more withdrawn and bitter as the illness progressed. “He refused treatment or therapy,” Chris said. “He was already ornery, and the diagnosis made it worse. But part of me appreciated the toughness he instilled in us.”
In his late teens, Chris began taking on odd jobs to help out. He waited tables, tried sales, and even considered joining the military. However, his brother, who had served in the Army, encouraged him to find a different path. “I think he saw something in me,” Chris reflected.
Despite the hardships, Chris’s sense of humor and individuality never wavered. “I developed humor as a defense mechanism,” he said, a trait that would later define his career.
A turning point came when a friend sent him a plane ticket to Maui. Chris, now in his early twenties, lived out of a van on the beach, working odd jobs and trying to find direction. It was during this time that he discovered faith, a grounding force that helped him through his uncertainty.
While waiting tables at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Chris’s charisma caught the attention of a filmmaker, landing him a role in the low-budget horror movie Cursed: Part III. Though the project paid just $700, it ignited his passion for acting.
“That $700 lasted me a year,” Chris joked. Determined to pursue acting, he moved to Los Angeles, taking small roles and hustling for every opportunity. “I had no connections, no nepotism—nothing. I was completely foreign to Hollywood,” he admitted.
His persistence paid off when he landed a role on the TV drama Everwood. The show, which ran for four seasons, marked a turning point in his career. “That was the first time I made real money,” Chris said.
He went on to appear in The O.C. but truly broke through in 2009 when he joined the cast of Parks and Recreation as Andy Dwyer. Initially cast as a temporary character, Andy quickly became a fan favorite, and Chris was promoted to a series regular.
“Andy was the clown I’d been honing my entire life,” Chris said. “He’s this affable guy who’s actually smart but plays dumb for laughs.”
During this time, Chris met actress Anna Faris while filming Take Me Home Tonight. The two married and welcomed a son, Jack, marking a high point in his personal life.
His transition to film came in 2014 when he landed the role of Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The film’s massive success launched Chris into Hollywood’s A-list. That same year, he voiced Emmet in the hit animated film The Lego Movie, further solidifying his status as a leading man.
In 2015, Chris took on the lead role in Jurassic World, reviving the beloved franchise and cementing his place as a box-office powerhouse. From there, he starred in films like The Magnificent Seven and Passengers, alongside industry heavyweights like Denzel Washington and Jennifer Lawrence.
Despite his meteoric rise, Chris has never forgotten his humble beginnings. In 2019, he visited the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. where he once worked and shared a heartfelt Instagram post. “Twenty years ago, I was waiting tables here. Now, I’m reflecting on how far I’ve come. Please tip your servers, and maybe leave some shrimp for them,” he wrote with humor and sincerity.
After his divorce from Faris, Chris found love again with author Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The couple married and welcomed two daughters, Lyla and Eloise.
Reflecting on his journey, Chris acknowledges the lessons he learned from his father. “Physically, we’re similar, and sometimes I hear his voice in the things I say,” he shared. One of his most cherished possessions is a compass his father gave him, a symbol of guidance and resilience.
Today, Chris Pratt is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, leading franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. From a boy who wore hand-me-down shoes and slept in a van to a household name, Chris’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and the power of staying true to oneself.
“It’s been a long road,” he said, “but I wouldn’t change a thing. Every struggle brought me here.”