Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth – best known for playing Thor in the MCU – turns 43 today. But how much do you know about this iconic actor?
Chris Hemsworth has been one of the biggest actors in the world for more than a decade now. His portrayal of Thor in 11 MCU movies to date – including four under his own name – have become iconic. He is set to reprise the role again in the upcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday.
Indeed, success in the MCU, as well as in films such as Rush – where Chris played English Formula 1 driver James Hunt – mean he is one of the highest grossing actors of all time, being the leading man in movies that have grossed more than $12 billion at the worldwide box office. He was also one of the highest paid actors in the world between 2017 and 2019.
But, as he celebrates his 43rd birthday today, how much do you know about Chris Hemsworth? Here are some facts you might not know.
He was brought up in the Australian Outback
As a child, Chris’ family moved between Melbourne and Bulman in the Northern Territory several times. Chris has said some of his earliest memories are on the cattle stations in the outback, as well as encounters with crocodiles and buffalo. He admits his childhood brought him into contact with very different walks of life between the outback and suburban life.
His uncle was bushman Rod Ansell, who is said to be the inspiration behind the Mick Dundee character in the popular Crocodile Dundee films of the 1980s.
He got his big break in a soap opera
Chris started appearing on TV while in his late teens, making cameo appearances in several shows, including iconic Australian soap Neighbours. However, it was the other famous Aussie soap, Home & Away, where Chris got his big break. He played the role of Kim Hyde in the show, appearing in 171 episodes from 2004-7.
Reality TV almost cost Chris his role as Thor
While still in Home & Away and building his profile, Chris took part in the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars Australia in late 2006. He stayed in the show for six weeks before being eliminated.
However, some years later, this appearance resurfaced as he was auditioning for the role of Thor, and producers of the film franchise worried that this would put fans off him as the character. However, they decided to cast Chris in the role, and the rest is history.
He taKES HIS CHILDREN TO COMPETE IN bRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU TOURNAMENTS
Chris has been married to Elsa Pataky since December 2010, and they have three children, India Rose, who is 14, and twin boys who are 12.
His children have all trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and are successful in it. Like any devoted dad, Chris has spent time taking them to compete in national tournaments.
hE’S A FAN OF aUSSIE rULES fOOTBALL
Chris is a long-term fan of Aussie Rules Football, specifically the Western Bulldogs, a team based in Melbourne that compete in the Australian Football League.
Over the years, he has starred in campaigns and commercials for the AFL, including, in 2014, fronting its Everything’s Possible campaign – for which he donated his involvement fee to the Australian Children Foundation.
hE KEEPS BEES
One of Chris’ hobbies away from the acting world is beekeeping. Looking for something to do during the lockdowns in the Covid pandemic in his native Australia, Chris took up the hobby of beekeeping, along with his children. They are said to use a special type of hive that allows him to draw honey out without disturbing the bees.
