Before becoming a household name, Chris Pratt nearly adopted a different stage name inspired by a unique nickname he earned while working as a waiter. The 46-year-old actor, known for his role in Mercy, revealed in a recent interview how the nickname “Christo” came about at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company. This name was an accidental result of his name tag’s worn-off letters, catching the attention of coworkers and even new employees.
Pratt explained that his name tag originally read “Christopher,” but the “PHER” part had rubbed off, leaving “Christo” visible. During his time at the restaurant, everyone started calling him by that name, and it became a significant part of his daily life, shaping how his coworkers addressed him.
Considering ‘Christo’ as a Stage Name
When Pratt began to pursue an acting career seriously, he contemplated adopting “Christo” as his professional name. On the January 22 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he shared,
“Not even rebranded, just branded. I was gonna be ‘Christo,’”
describing how attached he became to the nickname during his waiter job. He further added,
“As I navigated being discovered and brought to Los Angeles to follow my dreams, part of me thought — in earnest — maybe I’d go, ‘It’s just Christo.’”
Despite the consideration, Pratt ultimately decided to stick with “Chris,” aligning himself with other actors named Chris, such as Chris Evans, Chris Pine, and Chris Hemsworth. He admitted that the similarity in names sometimes leads to confusion.
“I think someone on this press tour called me Chris Pine,”
he revealed.
“Yeah, don’t think they mistake me, think it’s just the alliteration.”
Balancing Career and Family Life
Currently, Pratt remains busy with his acting projects while prioritizing time with his family. He shares four children: Lyla, 5, Eloise, 3, and Ford, 1 with his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, and Jack, 13, from his previous marriage to Anna Faris. Pratt has expressed a growing focus on his personal life and explained that choosing to film Mercy in Los Angeles was influenced by his desire to be near his loved ones.
“I’m trying more and more to prioritize my wife and kids as much as I can,”
Pratt said, emphasizing the importance of family in his life at this stage.
Insights Into His Role in Mercy
In preparation for his role in Mercy, Pratt took steps to understand law enforcement work, collaborating with the LAPD and their homicide division. At New York Comic Con in October 2025, he shared details about this experience, explaining,
“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.”
He also highlighted his involvement in stunt work during the project:
“It was really incredible. I mean, some of the stunt work we did was really great.”
This immersive approach demonstrates Pratt’s dedication to bringing authenticity to his character.
What This Reveals About Pratt’s Journey
Chris Pratt’s almost-adoption of the nickname “Christo” unveils a lesser-known chapter of his path to fame, revealing how everyday experiences like a restaurant job influenced his identity. His decision to remain “Chris” placed him among a notable group of actors sharing the name, yet it also reflects an internal tension between personal branding and authenticity in Hollywood. Balancing family responsibilities with demanding career roles, Pratt continues to evolve his professional and personal priorities while maintaining a connection to his roots.
