Before starring in the iconic workplace comedy Parks and Recreation and Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt admitted that he didn't have much.
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Not only was he previously strapped for cash, but the actor lived in his vehicle in Hawaii before having his name in lights.
Pratt, 47, shared an ">Instagram post detailing his journey from an unsheltered young adult to one of Hollywood's biggest stars.
"Before Hollywood, I was living in a van in Hawaii and waiting tables at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company," he wrote under a photo of his 20-year-old self on set for his first role. "One day, the incredible Rae Dawn Chong walked into the restaurant, and naturally, I went up to her table and said, 'Hey, you're a movie star! What are you doing here?' "
During their brief discussion, Chong asked Pratt if he could act.
Despite never reading a script before, Pratt replied, "F--k yeah, put me in your movie!"
Unlikely Encounter Led Chris Pratt to Hollywood
The "Parks and Recreation" alum said that he did not have a phone at the moment, so, when Chong offered to exchange information, he gave her his friend Mike's number instead.
A few days later, Mike nonchalantly informed Pratt that he had a missed call.
When he called back, it was Chong offering him a career-altering opportunity.
"I called her back and sure enough, she was serious. I drove over to pick up my script, went back to Mike's house, and read the 120 pages three times in a row," he added.
Pratt said that he was later told that the low-budget movie would film in Los Angeles, not Hawaii.
"I asked if we were shooting in Hawaii. Nope. Los Angeles. I had about $60 to my name, a bag of clothes, and some rollerblades.
He continued, "Then Rae told me they'd fly me out. And I remember thinking right then and there, my life just changed forever. I'm going to be an actor."
Pratt played "Devon" in Chong's horror movie Cursed Part Three, his first on-screen appearance.
Since then, the actor has starred in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Jurassic World" franchises. He also had a recurring role in the acclaimed sitcom "Parks and Recreation."
