Christopher Michael Pratt (born June 21, 1979) is an American actor and film producer.His films as a leading actor have grossed over $14.1billion worldwide, making him one of thehighest-grossing film stars of all time. Pratt was one of theworld's highest-paid actors annually from 2015 to 2017. Through starring in blockbuster franchises and big-budget films, he has established himself as one of Hollywood's mostbankable stars.
Christopher Michael Pratt[1][2] was born in the city ofVirginia, Minnesota, on June 21, 1979.[3][4] His mother, Kathleen Louise "Kathy" (née Indahl), worked at aSafeway supermarket, while his father, Daniel Clifton Pratt, held various jobs, including mining and home remodeling.[5][6][7] He has two older siblings: a sister, Angie, and a brother, Daniel "Cully" Pratt.[8][9] Pratt has cited his brother Cully as one of his biggest influences and credits him as the reason he started acting.[10] When Pratt was two or three years old, his father uprooted the family toAnchorage, Alaska, where they lived for the next few years.[6][11][12] Concerned that raising children in Alaska was too dangerous due to the presence of bears, the family entered a period of instability, relocating between twenty homes across the United States in search of job opportunities.[13]
When Pratt was six or seven years old, the family eventually settled in theSeattle suburb ofLake Stevens, Washington.[13][14] In an interview withThe Huffington Post, Pratt recalled a family vacation on a cruise where he and his brother entered a dance competition, earning him a third-place prize.[15][16] As a child, he frequently danced tohip-hop music, the dance drama filmSaturday Night Fever (1977), andMichael Jackson.[15] Pratt was a frequent reader of comic books, having once won $300 in a bingo tournament and spending it all on comics.[17][18] He once shared with theLos Angeles Times that his home featured a lot of art, saying, "I would try to copy these exceptional artists who could just draw male and female figures", and recalled that the walls were covered in comic book-style murals.[19] As a teenager, Pratt showed an interest in music, listening to pop musicians likethe Beatles and rappers likeTupac Shakur andMos Def; he has citedElvis Presley andJohnny Cash as his biggest musical influences.[20] Around this time he began playing the guitar.[21]
Pratt finished fifth in a statewrestling tournament during high school and competed inshot put on thetrack and field team.[5][22][23] Reflecting on that time, he recalled telling his wrestling coach, "I don't know what I want to do, but I know I'll be famous and I'll make a shit ton of money".[24] He added, "I had no idea how. I'd done nothing proactive".[25] He graduated fromLake Stevens High School in 1997.[26] Pratt dropped out of community college midway through his first semester and took on various jobs, including selling discount tickets and briefly working as a daytimestripper.[27] He eventually found himself homeless inMaui, Hawaii, living out of a van and a tent on the beach.[28][29] Retrospectively, he toldThe Independent, "It's a pretty awesome place to be homeless. We just drank and smoked weed and worked minimal hours[...] just enough to cover gas, food, and fishing supplies".[30] While in Maui, he also worked with the Christian missionary groupJews for Jesus.[31]
At nineteen years old, while working as a waiter at theBubba Gump Shrimp Company in Maui, Pratt was discovered by actress and directorRae Dawn Chong. Impressed by his charisma, she cast him in her directorial debut—a short horror film titledCursed Part 3 (2000), in which he played Devon.[32][33][34] According to Chong, Pratt arrived on set "early and completely prepared", and his performance "blew everyone away".[35] Pratt creditsCursed Part 3 with teaching him the fundamentals of acting, stating that he has "no regrets about getting [his] start" in the film.[36][37] Pratt's first regular television role was as Harold Brighton "Bright" Abbott in the seriesEverwood (2002–2006).[38][39] In thefourth season of the teen drama television seriesThe O.C. (2006–2007), Pratt portrayed the activist Winchester "Ché" Cook.[40][41]
Pratt then portrayed Barry—Wesley's (James McAvoy) co-worker and unfaithful best friend—in the action thriller filmWanted (2008) and played Bobby in the comedyWieners (2008).[42][43] He played thefiancé of Emma (Anne Hathaway) in the romantic comedyBride Wars (2009),[39][44] the officer Roman Duda in the horror-comedyJennifer's Body (2009),[45][46] and theleading man role of Lester Watts in the romantic comedyDeep in the Valley (2009).[47][48] The latter marked his first leading role in a comedy film.[49] In 2009, Pratt began portrayingAndy Dwyer on the NBC comedy seriesParks and Recreation, a role he played until 2015.[50][51] The role was initially intended as temporary, but Pratt's performance impressed the producers so much that they made him a series regular.[52][53] The role ultimately became hisbreakthrough.[3]
Pratt playedOakland Athleticsfirst baseman andcatcherScott Hatteberg in the biographicalsports drama filmMoneyball (2011).[54][55] Initially, he was told he was too overweight for the role, which he credited to the cooking of his then-girlfriend, actressAnna Faris.[5][56][57] Determined to land the part, Pratt committed to a strict workout routine while keeping tabs on the casting process, eventually shedding 30 pounds (14 kg) within three months.[58] Once he felt physically ready, he sent a photo to the casting director and secured the role.[5] InMoneyball, he took on a dramatic role as a downcast baseball player and devoted father, grappling with the fear that his career was over while facing the challenging transition to a new defensive position.[5][59] He regained the weight he had previously lost for his role in thehigh school reunion comedy10 Years (2011), then shed it once more to portray aNavy SEAL inZero Dark Thirty (2012).[5]
After previously being known primarily for supporting roles, in 2014, Pratt took on leading roles in two major studio films.[5] In June 2012, he was cast asEmmet Brickowski in the animated adventure comedyThe Lego Movie (2014). He portrayed a construction worker who must stop a tyrannical businessman from gluing theLego universe into his own rigid vision of perfection.[65][66][67] The film was both a critical and commercial success, receiving predominantly positive reviews onRotten Tomatoes and earning $470.7 million at the global box office.[68][69]
His other major role in 2014 was portrayingPeter Quill—also known as Star-Lord, a spacefaringmercenary who was abducted from Earth as a child and raised by a group of alien thieves and smugglers called theRavagers—inMarvel Studios'Guardians of the Galaxy.[70][71][72] Pratt initially declined the role of Star-Lord, expressing concern about experiencing "anotherCaptain Kirk orAvatar moment," referencing previous humbling audition experiences for those roles.[5][73] However, casting directorSarah Finn recommended him to directorJames Gunn, who had been struggling to cast the part and initially dismissed the idea. Finn arranged a meeting between the two, during which Gunn became convinced that Pratt was the ideal choice for the role.[74][75]Guardians of the Galaxy ranked as thethird-highest-grossing film of 2014, with a total revenue of $773.3 million.[76][77] The role was included in a multi-film contract that Pratt signed with Marvel Studios.[78] Bruce Diones ofThe New Yorker liked his charisma and his "love forseventies music [which] is so full of good will that he buoys the film".[79]
Pratt reprised his role as Emmet Brickowski inThe Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)—the sequel toThe Lego Movie (2014).[104][105] The film received generally positive reviews from critics, although the Rotten Tomatoes consensus noted that it "isn't quite as much fun as its predecessor".[106] Despite the somewhat favorable critical reception, itunderperformed at the box office.[107][108] In the WesternThe Kid (2019), Pratt plays Grant Cutler, the villainous uncle of protagonist Rio Cutler.[109] Pratt subsequently reprised his role as Star-Lord inAvengers: Endgame (2019), although he was not featured as part of the main ensemble cast.[72]Endgame was the highest-grossing film of all time until it was surpassed byAvatar (2009) due to its 2021 re-release in China.[110][111]
In February 2020, Pratt established his own production company, Indivisible Productions.[112] Its first project,The Terminal List—which stars Pratt and lists him as an executive producer—premiered onAmazon Prime Video in July 2022.[113][114] In March 2020, Pratt voiced one of the lead characters in theDisney andPixar animated filmOnward, alongside hisAvengers co-starTom Holland.[115][116] Pratt andParks and Recreation announced the upcoming release of a new album based on Pratt's character Andy Dwyer in May 2021.[117] In June that same year, they officially released a pair of singles, "The Pit" and "Two Birds Holding Hands", before releasing the albumMouse Rat: The Awesome Album in August.[118][119] InThe Tomorrow War (2021), Pratt played the lead role of Dan Forester, a science teacher who travels into the future to help humanity fight against an alien invasion.[120] The film received generally mixed reviews from critics,[121] as did Pratt's performance in the film.[122][123][124] He reprised his role as Owen Grady inJurassic World Dominion (2022), which became thethird-highest-grossing film of the year, making just over $1billion.[125][126] That same year, Pratt played Star-Lord inThor: Love and Thunder (2022) in a non-starring role.[127]
Called one of "Hollywood's biggest stars" in 2018 byCNBC,[27] Pratt is best known for his roles inaction films,[148][149] though he is also well known for his roles incomedies[150] anddramas.[151] AnA-list actor,[152][153] he has become one of the world's mostbankable stars[154][155] through playing in big-budget, commercially successful films, often portraying charming and adventurous characters.[156][157] Having grown up with a strong appreciation for music,[18] Pratt often uses it as a tool to help him get into character.[47] He also uses physical transformations, like gaining or losing significant weight and working out intensely, to match the character's needs.[158][159][160]
Some critics have taken issue with him forrepeatedly playing similar characters across multiple films.[161][162][163] One such critic,Paste writer Brianna Zigler, thought that, in a 2023 review, Pratt "lacks versatility, the skill to transition from comedy to drama, and any modicum ofgravitas".[164] In 2017,Amy Nicholson ofSlate dubbed him "America's new sweetheart", criticizing his "safe" screen presence that lacked the depth and complexity necessary for his cinematic roles.[165] Other critics have thought otherwise;Screen Rant's Ben Gibbons praised Pratt for demonstrating his acting range across a variety of roles, "from action heroes to lovable goofballs", noting that he consistently stands out and resonates with audiences.[166]The Guardian critic Alex Godfrey thought that with his "mixture of brawn and earthy charm, Pratt is increasingly coming to resemble a more contemporary Hollywood star,Harrison Ford".[167]
Since around the time he began portraying Star-Lord, Pratt has often been labeled as asex symbol by the media;[168][169][170]People magazine placed him at number two on its list of theSexiest Men Alive in 2014.[171][172] In 2017,Variety'sJenelle Riley described Pratt as "one of the nicest guys in the business", a reputation the actor attributes to "[having] good parents that raised me right".[173] However, the media began referring to him as "the worst Chris" around 2020, a label that emerged online as he was deemed the least likable among the group of Hollywood actors commonly known as the "Hollywood Chrises"—Evans,Hemsworth,Pine, and himself.[174][175] Pratt himself linked the backlash to hisGeneration Award acceptance speech at the2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards, in which he stated, "God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you".[175]TV Guide writer Kaitlin Thomas described his public persona as a combination of his on-screen charisma and a degree of candor, which at times can be seen as controversial or problematic.[176]
In 2015, Pratt appeared in theTime 100, a compilation of the 100 most influential people in the world, as selected annually byTime magazine.[177][178] That same year,Forbes ranked him as the 33rd-highest-paid actor globally, with earnings of $13 million.[179] In 2016, he appeared in theCelebrity 100 list, a compilation of the 100 most powerful public figures in the world, as selected annually byForbes.[180] Also in 2016, the magazine again listed him as the sixteenth-highest-paid actor in the world, with earnings of $26 million.[181] In 2017, Pratt was ranked the nineteenth-highest-paid actor, with earnings of $17 million.[182] According toThe Numbers, as of April 2025,his films as a leading actor have grossed over $14.1billion worldwide, making him thefifth-highest-grossing box office film star and third-highest-grossing male actor of all time.[183] Including all roles—leading performances, cameos, and voice acting—his films have grossed a total of $15.8 billion worldwide.[183]
In February 2007, while filmingTake Me Home Tonight (2011), Pratt met actressAnna Faris, who portrayed his love interest in the film.[184][185] The couple became engaged in late 2008 and married on July 9, 2009, inBali, Indonesia, choosing toelope spontaneously following a friend's wedding.[186] Pratt and Faris resided in theHollywood Hills area of Los Angeles.[187] Faris gave birth to their son in 2012, who was born nine weeks premature, weighing just 3 pounds 12 ounces (1.7 kg).[188][189] Pratt later shared that the experience had a profound impact on his faith, stating that he and Faris "prayed a lot" during the uncertain early days of their son's life.[190][191] Pratt and Faris announced their separation in August 2017.[192][193] He filed for divorce on December 1, 2017, citingirreconcilable differences and requestingjoint custody of their son.[194] The divorce was finalized on October 31, 2018.[184]
Pratt began dating authorKatherine Schwarzenegger in June 2018, after being introduced by her mother,Maria Shriver.[195][196] On January 14, 2019, Pratt announced their engagement,[197][198] and the couple married on June 8, 2019, inMontecito, California.[198][199] They spent theirhoneymoon on the island ofLanai, Hawaii, staying at a luxury resort.[200] The couple has three children, their first daughter was born in 2020, followed by their second daughter born in 2022, and a son in 2024.[201][202] Through his marriage to Schwarzenegger, Pratt became part of the extendedKennedy family.[203][204] In 2023, Pratt and Schwarzenegger acquired theEllwood Zimmerman House, an architecturally significant property located inBrentwood, California. The original structure was later demolished to make way for the construction of a larger residence.[205]
Pratt was raised in theLutheran faith and later worked with the organizationJews for Jesus[206][207] before identifying as anon-denominational Christian.[208] He attendsZoe Church in Los Angeles, which came under public scrutiny after actorElliot Page criticized it for allegedly being anti-LGBTQ, citing the church's connection to a pastor formerly affiliated withHillsong Church.[209][210] In response to the accusation, Pratt stated, "It has recently been suggested that I belong to a church which 'hates a certain group of people' and is 'infamously anti-LGBTQ.' Nothing could be further from the truth. I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone."[211]Brian Houston, the founder of Hillsong Church, later clarified that Pratt had never been a member of their congregation.[212] DirectorJames Gunn, known forGuardians of the Galaxy (2014), also publicly defended Pratt, affirming that he was familiar with the church Pratt currently attends and criticizing those calling for the actor to be recast asStar-Lord.[213][214]
In 2017, Pratt stated that he does not align himself with either side of thepolitical spectrum and expressed a desire to promote unity through finding common ground.[215] In 2020, he and his wife, Katherine, became Global Ambassadors for theSpecial Olympics.[216] In 2024, Pratt wrote an op-ed on Maria Shriver's website,Sunday Paper, regarding the2024 United States presidential election. In it, he emphasized unity over political allegiance and avoided endorsing eitherKamala Harris orDonald Trump.[217]
Philanthropy
In 2015, Pratt and Faris donated $1 million to a charity that provided eyeglasses to underprivileged children. The donation was allegedly inspired by Pratt's son who was born premature and visually impaired. They also donated to the neonatalintensive care unit of theCedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and supportedMarch of Dimes, which works to end premature births, birth defects, and infant mortality.[218] That year, he andChris Evans visited patients in theSeattle Children's Hospital after the two made a bet that eventually raised donations for the hospital as well as Christopher's Haven.[219] In December 2016, Pratt donated $500,000 to a teen center in his hometown of Lake Stevens, which was named in memory of his father.[220][221]
In February 2021, Pratt donated $20,000 to fight hunger inSouth Carolina. The donation was part of a fundraiser by Pratt and an organization to raise $650,000 to fightfood insecurity amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Pratt also helped create the charity Feed Thy Neighbor, to which he donated $100,000.[222][223] Also in February 2021, he donated $10,000 to the Edmonds Food Bank as part of his organization and donated to the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and Edmonds Waterfront Center inWashington state.[224]
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