# Chris Pratt early career history

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chris-pratt-early-career-history
> Updated: 2026-11-08T14:22:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Actor Chris Pratt has shared details regarding his life in Hawaii prior to his Hollywood success. He described a period when he lived in a van with approximately $60 and worked as a waiter at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

Pratt credited a chance encounter with director Rae Dawn Chong at the restaurant for changing his career trajectory. After being asked if he could act, Pratt auditioned for the low-budget horror comedy, ‘Cursed Part 3’. Because he did not own a phone at the time, he provided a friend’s contact number to receive the casting call. After studying the 120-page script, Pratt was cast in the role of Devon, which led to him being flown from Hawaii to Los Angeles.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-08: Chris Pratt recalls living in a van before Hollywood success

Actor Chris Pratt shared that he lived in a van in Hawaii with only $60 before being discovered by director Rae Dawn Chong.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chris-pratt-recalls-living-in-a-van-before-hollywood-success

### 2026-11-05: Chris Pratt recalls early life in Hawaii before Hollywood success

Chris Pratt shared how a chance meeting with director Rae Dawn Chong while he was working as a waiter in Hawaii launched his acting career.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chris-pratt-recalls-early-life-in-hawaii-before-hollywood-success

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Cite as: Chris Pratt early career history. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chris-pratt-early-career-history