Chris Pratt Says a Waiter Job in Hawaii Led to Hollywood

Chris Pratt says his acting career began with a chance encounter while he was waiting tables at a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Hawaii and living in a van. In a post on X, the actor recalled that actress Rae Dawn Chong walked into the restaurant, asked whether he could act, and later cast him in a low-budget film that he credits with opening the door to Hollywood.

What happened

Pratt, 47, described approaching Chong’s table and asking what a movie star was doing there. According to his account, she asked if he could act, and he said yes and asked to be put in her movie. Because he did not have a phone, he gave her a friend’s number; a few days later the friend told him someone had called.

Pratt said he called back, picked up the script, and read all 120 pages three times. He described it as the first script he had ever read and recalled liking his character’s name, Devon. After the audition, he said, Chong told him he could act and offered him the part.

The film was shooting in Los Angeles while Pratt was in Hawaii. He wrote that he had about $60, a bag of clothes and some rollerblades, and that Chong arranged to fly him out for production. He said he thought at that moment his life had changed forever. The film, “Cursed Part 3,” was a low-budget horror comedy.

Pratt said the role led to larger projects, including his breakout part as Andy Dwyer on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” He later played Peter Quill, or Star-Lord, in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” and its sequels, as well as in “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”

Why it matters

Pratt’s account is a familiar Hollywood origin story, but it also illustrates how one small production can change a career path. His later credits include the “Jurassic World” franchise, voice roles in “The Lego Movie” and its sequel, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and its sequel, and “Onward,” plus the TV series “The Terminal List” since 2022 and standalone films such as “Passengers,” “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Tomorrow War.”

In a 2023 interview with Moviefone, Pratt credited “Guardians” director James Gunn with changing his life, saying Gunn cast him as the lead and that it was the last audition he ever had. That suggests the path from a low-budget horror comedy to blockbuster lead ran through a series of people willing to take a chance on him.

Key facts at a glance

What this means for you

• Pratt’s story is a reminder that early career breaks can come from unexpected conversations, though it is one anecdote rather than a formula.
• If you are pursuing acting, the account shows the value of being ready when an opportunity appears: Pratt said he read the script repeatedly before auditioning.
• No practical action follows for most readers beyond the story itself; the details are personal history, not guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What was Chris Pratt’s first movie?

Pratt has said his first film role was in “Cursed Part 3,” a low-budget horror comedy, after Rae Dawn Chong cast him.

How did Chris Pratt get discovered?

By his account, he was waiting tables in Hawaii when Chong came into the restaurant, asked if he could act, and later offered him a part.

What is Chris Pratt known for?

He is known for “Parks and Recreation,” the “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Avengers” films, the “Jurassic World” franchise, and voice roles in “The Lego Movie” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”

What to watch next

Pratt’s post does not say whether he and Chong have worked together since, and no further details about “Cursed Part 3” were provided. Any new projects he announces would be the next development to follow.