Chris Pratt-the 46-year-old actor known for Mercy-shared a surprising detail about his early career in a recent podcast interview.
The actor revealed that during his time as a waiter at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company, a name tag with the word Christopher had its PHER portion rubbed off, leaving the moniker Christo. He almost carried that nickname into Hollywood but ultimately chose to go by Chris, a decision that has kept him from being confused with fellow actors Chris Pine, Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth.
At a Glance
- Chris Pratt almost kept the nickname Christo from his waiter days as his stage name.
- He decided to use Chris after a press-tour mix-up with Chris Pine.
- Pratt prioritizes family, choosing projects filmed in Los Angeles to stay close to his wife and four children.
- He worked with the LAPD homicide division and performed stunts for his role in Mercy.
- Why it matters: The story shows how a simple name tag can influence an actor’s brand and career path.
Early Days at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company
Pratt began his career in the service industry, working as a waiter at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company. While serving guests, his coworkers began calling him Christo because the PHER part of his name tag had worn away. He joked, “Everyone called me Christo for a long time,” and the nickname became a familiar part of his daily routine.
The name tag anecdote highlighted the high turnover rate at the restaurant. New employees, unfamiliar with his full name, assumed he was named Christo. The nickname was more than a joke; it was a part of his identity while he was still learning the ropes of the hospitality world.
The Nickname Debate
When Pratt was discovered and brought to Los Angeles to pursue acting, he faced a decision about how to present himself to the industry. He considered keeping Christo as his stage name, saying, “Not even rebranded, just branded. I was gonna be ‘Christo,'” he explained on the Thursday, January 22, 2025 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
The actor reflected on the idea, noting that it was “in earnest” when he was navigating the early stages of his Hollywood career. “I had a name tag that said Christopher, but at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company, the PHER part got rubbed off, so it said Christo,” Pratt added.
Ultimately, he chose the shorter, more familiar Chris, which aligned him with a growing group of actors who share the same first name.
The Press Tour Misunderstanding
During a press tour, a reporter mistakenly referred to Pratt as Chris Pine. Pratt laughed about the mix-up, saying, “I think someone on this press tour called me Chris Pine. Yeah, don’t think they mistake me, think it’s just the alliteration.”
The confusion highlighted how common the name Chris is in Hollywood. Despite the mix-up, Pratt remained confident in his chosen name, which has become synonymous with his roles in action and drama films.
Family Focus and Film Choices
Pratt’s personal life plays a significant role in his career decisions. He is married to Katherine Schwarzenegger and shares four young children with her: Lyla, 5; Eloise, 3; Ford, 1; and Jack, 13, who he shares with former partner Anna Faris.
He told News Of Los Angeles that he is “trying more and more to prioritize my wife and kids as much as I can,” and that he chose to film his new movie Mercy in Los Angeles specifically so he could remain close to his family.
The decision to stay in Los Angeles also allowed Pratt to balance the demands of a high-profile film schedule with his responsibilities at home.
Working with LAPD and Stunts
When preparing for Mercy, Pratt sought authenticity in his portrayal of a law-enforcement officer. He said, “I had an opportunity to work with the LAPD and their homicide division, and so I was able to go down and talk to those guys,” during an interview with News Of Los Angeles at New York Comic Con in October 2025.
Pratt worked alongside police officers, learning procedural details and performing stunts that were integral to the film’s action sequences. “It was really incredible. I mean, some of the stunt work we did was really great,” he noted.
His collaboration with the LAPD added a layer of realism to his performance and demonstrated his commitment to portraying his characters with depth and respect.
Key Takeaways
- A worn name tag led Pratt to almost adopt Christo as his stage name.
- He chose Chris after a press-tour mix-up and to avoid confusion with other actors.
- Pratt prioritizes family by selecting projects filmed in Los Angeles.
- He worked closely with the LAPD homicide division, performing stunts for Mercy.
- The story illustrates how small details can shape a public persona and career path.
