Chris Pratt is an American actor who became a household name through starring roles in major franchises such as Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Jurassic World (2015). His life off-camera has drawn nearly as much attention as his film work, with many following both his career and personal story.
Born in Virginia, Minnesota, Pratt is the son of Kathleen Louise “Kathy” Pratt, who worked at a Safeway supermarket, and Daniel Clifton “Dan” Pratt, who pursued careers in mining and house remodeling. He was raised in Lake Stevens, Washington, where a mixture of family support and various challenges shaped his upbringing—an influence he has spoken about openly throughout his career.
A Family History That Reflects a Broad European Blend
Chris Pratt’s ancestry brings together influences from both sides of the Atlantic. His mother, Kathy, is of Norwegian descent, while his father, Daniel, traces roots to English, German, Swiss-German and French Canadian lines, creating a varied cultural background.
That Nordic and Western European mix has influenced more than just his heritage; it’s often mentioned in discussions of his looks and athletic ability. While filming Jurassic World, Pratt was involved in a motorcycle accident. He admits he wasn’t experienced on bikes, and overconfidence caused him to lose control and slip in the mud. Thankfully he walked away without injury, quipping that his “Norwegian feet and head” helped keep him safe.
A Portrait of Daniel Clifton Pratt: Stubborn and Self-Reliant
Chris’s father, Dan Pratt, was born October 1, 1953, in Virginia, Minnesota, and died on June 30, 2014, in Lake Stevens, Washington. He played an outsized role in the people around him — most notably his son. Chris was working on a film in New Orleans when he got the news of his father’s passing; as he told GQ, “I knew being the lead in the movie that I was really responsible for everybody’s attitude.”
Dan spent most of his career as a contractor, earning a reputation for a strong work ethic and an ability to fix problems with his hands. Chris remembers him simply: “He was a hard worker,” able to handle demanding physical tasks and improvise solutions. When multiple sclerosis began to take hold, it eroded both his mobility and, over time, his outlook on life. The illness contributed to his separation from Chris’s mother, Kathy, and led him to slowly retreat from the life he’d led.
Chris has described his dad as headstrong at first and increasingly worn down, saying, “He was pretty ornery to begin with and so that just made him more ornery.” Dan’s refusal to seek certain treatments or to change long-held habits frustrated those close to him, yet his fierce independence was something Chris also found oddly admirable.
Living without his father marked a defining moment for Chris, forcing him to reconcile complicated feelings. Alongside grief there was a sense of relief from the constant worry for a man who, in Chris’s words, “never fucking wanted us there anyway.” That blunt admission reflects a complicated acceptance of who his father was.
Kathy Pratt Resides in Arlington, Washington
Despite his international fame, Chris Pratt’s ties to Washington remain strong: after his family relocated to Lake Stevens in 1987, he spent the entirety of his childhood and his high school years there. His mother, Kathy, a long-time employee at the Safeway in Lake Stevens, still makes her home in Arlington, Washington.
Chris Pratt’s Mother’s Day Messages to the Important Women in His Life
Every year he takes time on Mother’s Day to recognize the mothers who matter to him, sharing posts that are full of appreciation. On May 14, 2023, Pratt sent Mother’s Day greetings to his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, his own mother Kathy, born June 1955 71, and his mother-in-law, Maria Shriver.
In the post he made special mention of Katherine, expressing deep thanks for her presence in his life. He praised her as a wonderful partner, credited her with bringing him a blessed life and noted that their two daughters are fortunate to have her, adding that she’s been a terrific stepmother to Jack.
Pratt also paid tribute to his mother, Kathy, saying he’s thankful for the way she raised them with love, light and laughter and that his gratitude extends beyond just one day.
He closed his message by acknowledging Maria Shriver—often called Mama G—saying he feels lucky to have her as his mother-in-law and thanking all the moms in his life for everything they do.
His social feeds frequently include family photos; among them was a portrait of his mother taken in 1973 that he shared for 2022’s Mother’s Day.
How He Observes National Siblings Day
He regularly marks National Siblings Day alongside his brother Cully and sister Angie. In April 2021, Chris shared a throwback snapshot from a Christmas in Alaska taken around 1985. His Instagram caption read:
“#nationalsiblingday Here are me and my siblings @angierae75 and @cullypratt in Alaska at Christmas circa 1985. Note the strategically placed poinsettias cause we had holes in our pants.”
The post offers a glimpse of their playful rapport while also carrying a warm, nostalgic pride in family history.
His Paternal Grandmother Passed Away in 2015
Pratt’s paternal grandmother, Adeline Catherine (née Limmer) Pratt, died on March 23, 2015. Her death occurred about a year after his father, Daniel, passed away. At the time she lived at Chestnut Grove in Virginia and was 87 years old.
She and Clifton Pratt were married in Virginia in June 1946. Adeline spent much of her life as a homemaker and was also a long-standing volunteer at the Virginia Regional Medical Center Convalescent Center.
She is survived by a large family: three children, 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
