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The evolution of Chris Pratt: from cheeky funnyman to charismatic leading lad

We take a look at Chris Pratt's amazing evolution from the lovable guy on TV to the sexy action hero on the silver screen.
Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt has sky-rocketed into the Hollywood stratosphere thanks to recent leading roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World.

But not too long ago, there was a time when the Virginia-born actor was waiting tables and waiting for his big break. “People have to work. I just don’t want it to be at a f****g restaurant,” he once said of his struggle. Eventually he landed a handful of roles on the small screen, including The O.C and Everwood*.

But it was his breakout role as the goofy Andy Dwyer on the NBC hit comedy show Parks and Recreation in 2009 that really started to get him notoriety. Fast forward to 2015 and the former Bubba Gump Shrimp Company waiter has starred in flicks like Moneyball, Zero Dark Thirty and The Five-Year Engagement.

Over the years, the star has also admitted to struggling with his body image. “I was impotent, fatigued, emotionally depressed. I had real health issues that were affecting me in a major way,” Chris confessed in a recent interview with Men’s Health magazine of his weight woes.

These days, the father-of-one is on top of his health and feeling better than ever. “I don’t want to ever come out sounding like I’m talking smack about people who have issues with their body weight or don’t have issues with their body weight. To each their own, but to those who felt the way I felt, there’s really hope.”

Chris, who is happily married to actress Anna Faris, may have totally overhauled his body and buffed up but he still knows how to make us laugh. We just adore how refreshingly honest he is.

In honour of the talented actor, we look back at Chris’ amazing evolution.

Chris Pratt has taken Tinseltown by storm. The actor has gone from TV funnyman to Hollywood heavyweight.

The goofy actor’s first role was in 2000 in a short film called Cursed Part 3. He was paid $700 and before his big break, he was homeless and living in a van.

The star’s first reoccurring role on TV was as Harold Brighton “Bright” Abbott on drama series Everwood, which was cancelled 2006.

During his time on Everwood Chris dated his co-star and on-screen sister, Emily VanCamp. Before you think it’s a little strange, the actor admitted he was never weirded out because the show was fiction.

The former Virginia local has always had a great sense of humour. Here he shows off his best Blue Steel face.

What’s a journey to success without an appearance on the The O.C? Chris starred in the fourth series as activist Winchester “Che” Cook.

Chris’ life changed completely when he met Anna Faris in 2007 on the set of their film Take Me Home Tonight.

The co-stars, pictured on the film, got on like a house on fire but Anna was married to Ben Indra.

However, Anna broke up with Ben a year later and the rest is history! The pair tied the knot in Bali on July 9, 2009.

The couple really make an amazing pair. “Anna and I are meant to be together. Our relationship has made me believe in divine intervention and destiny,” he has said.

Look at Chris just casually admiring his wife while they rock the red carpet together. Talk about relationship goals.

In 2012, the couple welcomed their beautiful son Jack, who will turn three in August.

Look at those cheeks! It’s clear that good looks run in the family.

One of Chris Pratt’s most iconic roles has to be as the ever-goofy, always funny and down-right awesome Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation. The shoe-shiner made audiences laugh with hilarious lines like, “I know what things are” and “I don’t know what I’m doing but I know I’m doing it well.”

Chris was the voice behind the main character in the Lego Movie, Emmet Brickowski and everything was awesome.

He then shocked us all by shedding his Andy Dwyer physique revealing his ripped new body for Guardians of the Galaxy.

Like seriously, does he have a permit for those guns?

Most recently, the rugged actor starred in the reboot of Jurassic Park, Jurassic World. Fans were swooning over him in the flick.

And it looks like Anna is pretty impressed too!

Now with three franchises under his belt, things have never been better. But this humble star is staying very grounded about his success. “I am feeling very blessed and overcome with joy. But, I never thought I would have three franchises,” he has mused. Go Team Chris Pratt!

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