Chris Pratt offers rare insight into living in a van with just $60 before Hollywood fame
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Chris Pratt has opened up about his humble beginnings before finding fame in Hollywood, recalling how he lived in a van in Hawaii with just $60 to his name.
The actor, now known for several major film and television roles, credited his first film, 'Cursed Part 3', with opening the door to his acting career. Pratt also expressed gratitude to director Rae Dawn Chong for giving him his first opportunity in the entertainment industry.
Chris Pratt recalls landing his first film role while waiting tables
In a recent Instagram post accompanying a throwback photograph from his first film, 'Cursed Part 3', the actor recalled how he unexpectedly crossed paths with its director, Rae Dawn Chong, at the restaurant where he was working.
Pratt approached Chong's table and introduced himself, telling her, "Hey, you're a movie star! What are you doing here?" When she asked whether he could act, he confidently replied, "yeah, put me in your movie."
Chong subsequently asked for his phone number, but Pratt faced an unusual problem because he did not have one at the time. Instead, he gave her his friend Mike's number. A few days later, he received a call from Chong and immediately went to collect the screenplay.
The actor recalled reading all 120 pages three times consecutively, describing it as the first script he had ever read. His character was named Devon, and Pratt remembered thinking that he could easily play someone with that name.
By the time he arrived for his audition, Pratt had memorized the entire screenplay. Chong subsequently offered him the role and informed him that production would require him to travel to Los Angeles.
Recalling that moment, Pratt said he had approximately $60, a bag of clothes and a pair of rollerblades to his name. However, Chong told him the production would fly him out. He remembered immediately realizing that his life had changed forever and that he was going to become an actor.
Chris Pratt's Hollywood success, net worth and family life
Since his first film, Pratt has established himself through several prominent roles in Hollywood. His biggest performances include playing Peter Quill in Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy', Andy Dwyer in 'Parks and Recreation' and Owen in 'Jurassic Park'.
The actor now has an estimated net worth of $100 million. Alongside his acting career, Pratt has built an extensive real estate portfolio with his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger. The couple purchased a $12.5 million home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, in 2023.
While the property undergoes renovations, they are residing in their $9 million mansion in Montecito, located in Santa Barbara County. The couple have also put their third mansion in Pacific Palisades back on the market for the fifth time in three years. As of August, the property was listed for $19.99 million.
The couple originally purchased the house for $15.8 million in 2018 before having it demolished and custom-built. They first listed the newly constructed property for $32 million in 2023.
The 'Terminal List' star and Schwarzenegger married in 2019 and share three children, Lyla Maria, 6, Eloise Christina, 4, and Ford Fitzgerald, 1. Pratt is also the father of 14-year-old son Jack, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Anna Faris.
