This Boy Wore Shoes Too Small Due to Poverty and Lived in a Trailer — Today, He’s a Hollywood Star

Starting from humble beginnings, where he wore shoes three sizes too small and lived in a cramped trailer with his struggling family, this actor went from small roles and waiting tables to leading some of the biggest film franchises. Take a closer look at his story.

His mother held a job as a grocery store checker, and his father was a construction worker — a tough man who knew the value of hard work. Despite their efforts, financial security always seemed out of reach.

The family eventually settled in Lake Stevens, Washington, where he grew up alongside his older siblings, Cully and Angie. Life wasn’t easy for the family, who struggled to provide the basics, including clothes and shoes that fit.

It wasn’t unusual for the boy to wear shoes that were far too small, with his toes sticking out the front. “We always had the lamest shoes. And shoes were so important as a kid!” he recalled.

“Dude, I wore those shoes for three years. They got so small for me that I had to take a razor and cut the pump out to buy myself some more space,” he added.

Even then, he couldn’t bring himself to throw them away. “You could still see the basketball on the tongue, but there was no pump system in there. I loved those pumps,” the actor revealed.

“He refused to take any medication or do anything like physical therapy,” he shared. The illness took a toll on his father’s already tough demeanor. “He was pretty ornery to begin with, and that just made him more ornery.”

As the young man grew older, he began to take odd jobs to help make ends meet. He waited tables, attended a local community college for a short time, and even tried his hand at sales, going door-to-door selling coupons. “I was great at that,” he said.

Though he had an unshakable spirit, his family’s struggles left emotional scars. His father’s stoic and old-school approach to parenting, often through what he called “emotional scarification,” shaped his sense of humor.

Yet, his father’s influence remained strong, even as his health deteriorated. The boy admired his dad’s toughness, though it came at a cost. “My brother and I talk about it,” he said. “Part of us appreciate that he made us tough […].”

Eventually, a friend sent him a plane ticket to Maui, where he began living out of a van on the beach. He spent much of his early twenties in limbo, moving from one odd job to the next, unsure of what path to take.

Despite the challenges, this young man never lost his sense of individuality or humor — qualities that would later set him apart in an industry known for rejection and unpredictability. He didn’t yet know it, but life was leading him toward a career that would change everything.

The pivotal moment that set Chris Pratt’s career in motion came when he was living in Maui, working as a waiter at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and sleeping in a van on the beach.

He landed the lead role in a low-budget horror, “Cursed: Part III.” While the film didn’t put him on the map, it did pay him $700.

“That $700 lasted me one year,” he revealed. Determined to make it in Hollywood, Pratt moved to Los Angeles and hustled for every role he could find.

His big break came with the TV drama “Everwood,” where he played Bright Abbott. The show ran for four seasons, and Pratt credits it as his first life-changing role.

“That’s when I became an actor, and that was the first time I’d ever got into money, real money,” he shared. His natural charisma landed him more TV roles, including a stint as Ché on “The O.C.,” but it wasn’t until he joined the cast of “Parks and Recreation” in 2009 that Pratt became a household name.

Initially cast for a temporary role as the goofy Andy Dwyer, Pratt’s character quickly became a fan favorite. His portrayal of the lovable slacker resonated with audiences, and the writers kept him on as a series regular.

“Andy on ‘Parks and Rec’ was my clown that I had honed my entire life,” Pratt said. “A guy who’s affable, who’s an intelligent person playing a dumb person.”

His transition from television to film marked a significant turning point. In 2014, his career skyrocketed when he landed the role of Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

The film was a massive hit, transforming him into a bona fide movie star. That same year, he voiced Emmet in the animated blockbuster “The Lego Movie,” another smash hit that further solidified his position in Hollywood.

His success continued with roles in “The Magnificent Seven” alongside Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, and “Passengers,” where he starred opposite Jennifer Lawrence.

Despite his newfound stardom, Pratt never forgot his humble beginnings. In 2019, he returned to the Bubba Gump restaurant where he had once waited tables and shared a reflective post on Instagram.

When asked about achieving his dream, Pratt acknowledged that his goals have evolved over time. “Originally, the dream was to pay my bills by doing nothing other than acting. I got there and that was great. Then it was great to extend it more and more,” he said.

“Then it was like, pay my bills doing nothing but acting, but also do roles that are more than just the douche, the bad guy. Those are the roles that I was originally getting,” the actor added.

“Then it was to do sidekick roles, and then it was to do comedy and pay my bills doing that. Now I’ve crossed over this line where I actually say no to stuff. I could never have fathomed that I would say no to a paying acting gig,” he continued.

Over the years, Pratt’s personal life also took a new turn. After parting ways with Faris, he married author Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. The couple welcomed their second child, Eloise, in 2020.

Despite his success, the “Parks and Recreation” star remains deeply connected to his roots. He often reflects on his father, whose passing in 2014 left a lasting impact.

Pratt sees pieces of his father in himself, both in his appearance and mannerisms. “Physically, we look similar, I guess. And sometimes I hear his voice coming out of my mouth — some of the things he says, some of the things I would say,” he said.

One treasured item Pratt still holds dear is a compass his father gave him. For him, it symbolizes his father’s unwavering presence and guidance. “It’s really like a symbol for who he was in my life. He’ll always be there to guide me,” he shared.

Today, Chris Pratt is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, leading two of the industry’s most beloved franchises. His journey from a small-town boy who wore shoes with holes in them to an A-list actor is a story of resilience, faith, and unwavering determination.