Chris Pratt went from living in a van to Hollywood stardom after chance encounter changed everything
Chris Pratt says his route to Hollywood began while he was living in a van in Hawaii and waiting tables at a shrimp restaurant. A chance meeting with actor Rae Dawn Chong led to an audition and a part in a low-budget film, giving him the opportunity to move to Los Angeles and pursue acting.
Pratt recalled having about $60, a bag of clothes and rollerblades when Chong offered to fly him to the film’s production. The movie, “Cursed Part 3”, helped open doors to later roles, including Andy Dwyer in “Parks and Recreation” and Peter Quill in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” films. He has since appeared in the “Jurassic World” franchise and several other films and television projects.
In short
- Pratt was living in a van and waiting tables in Hawaii.
- Rae Dawn Chong cast him in his first film after a chance meeting.
- The role helped launch a career spanning television and blockbusters.
Explained simply
Chris Pratt is an American actor whose career spans television and film. Before becoming widely known, he worked as a waiter in Hawaii while trying to find acting work.
Rae Dawn Chong, an actor and filmmaker, met Pratt while he was working at a shrimp restaurant and offered him an audition for a low-budget film. The part gave him a route to Los Angeles, where he could pursue more acting opportunities.
Pratt later became known for playing Andy Dwyer in the comedy series Parks and Recreation and Peter Quill in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films. His career also includes the Jurassic World films, making him a familiar figure in both television comedy and large film franchises.
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