Since the release of the quirky superhero film, Guardians of the Galaxy, actor Chris Pratt has exploded onto the scene, starring in some of the highest grossing films of the past few years. Fame, fortune, influence, a great family—Pratt seemingly has it all, and is adored by thousands of younger fans. This adoration, of course, gives way to emulation, as is the case with well-loved celebrities. But is this a good thing?

You bet it is!

Chris Pratt is, hands-down, one of the, finest examples of a human being to take the stage in Hollywood. A good man who keeps his promises and cares about the wellbeing of others, Pratt is a rare sort of superstar that provides a positive influence for his legions of fans.

And it’s a good thing, too. Celebrities often define generations, influencing behavior, fashion, and causes. To find one who refrains from the hedonism, egocentrism, and facades so common in Hollywood is rare and valuable. Read on to find out 7 reasons why Chris Pratt is the ultimate celebrity role model.

He Wants To Be a Role Model

Chris Pratt, in an interview with Panzer TV concerning his Role in Guardians of the Galaxy, is asked if he’s “prepared to be a hero to thousands of kids?”  His response?

“I stole the jacket and some of the wardrobe, so that if this movie comes out and does what everyone hopes it can, I can follow the example of someone, say like a Russell Wilson, you know, and, like, go visit kids—if it was a big enough movie to where it would mean something to a kid who’s sick in a hospital for Peter Quill or Star Lord to come visit him, I’ll do that.  Speaking of children in general, Pratt goes on to say that he wishes to "be a role model for them.”

Pratt has gone on to do just that, becoming what every parent wants an influential celebrity to be—a great role model who works hard to ensure that his actions line up with his words, and that his young viewers will have something positive to emulate. He possesses a rare brand of self-awareness that allows him to see the influence that he has, and to wield it for good, purposefully modeling behavior that will positively impact others. And he wants to do just that.

That's something to get excited about.

He Stands By His Values

Pratt, in an interview with People Magazine, talks about the harrowing experience of his son being born prematurely, and gives a clue to his worldview when he mentions that this “restored my faith in God, not that it needed to be restored, but it really redefined it.”

Speaking with Esquire Magazine, Pratt goes on to tell the whole story of how he originally found God a little before he began his Hollywood career.  Pratt explains that, "In Maui, about four weeks before I was discovered to go to California, I was hanging with my buddy. I wasn't quite old enough to drink, so we got somebody to go in and buy us some alcohol. This guy came by and was like, 'What are you doing tonight?' I was like, 'Oh, I dunno. I was just gonna wait out here, my friends are gonna buy me a bottle of Carlo Rossi and a sixer of Milwaukee's Best Ice. So he's like, 'Will you fornicate tonight?' I was like, 'I hope so.' 'And drugs and drinking?' It's like, 'Most likely, yeah. Probably all three of those things. I mean, at least two of them, possibly all three.' He was like, 'I stopped because Jesus told me to stop and talk to you. He said to tell you you're destined for great things.' My friends came out, and I was like, 'Hey, I'm gonna go with this guy.' I gave my soul to Jesus within, like, two days.”

Pratt is also vocal about his Christianity on Facebook—a rarity among well-known celebrities, and embraces 1 John 2:10-11 as his scriptural basis as a role model—“Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”

Pratt quietly lives out his faith, allowing it to show itself in his actions, not merely his words.  We can all learn a little something from that.

He's Authentic

Pratt’s answer when asked if he had ever imagined himself playing a hero in an epic space adventure?  Happily raised eyebrows, widened eyes, and an enthusiastically childlike, “Well, yeah!”

Pratt doesn’t hide who he is.  From getting excited about portraying a space adventurer, to joking around with interviewers, to getting choked up about the birth of his son, Pratt doesn’t put up facades.  He simply is who he is.
He passes this along to his fans, telling them, in an interview with GQ to, “Just be yourself and forget all of the stuff you read in GQ Magazine.”

That’s right.  Chris Pratt told people to forget about the stuff they read in GQ Magazine during an interview with GQ Magazine.  Enough said.

With Hollywood being so obsessed with power and appearances, Pratt’s demeanor in everyday life, and in interviews, is refreshing.  A quick look at his social media accounts shows a man who is down-to-earth and authentic, and finds happiness in that—something we could all use a lesson in.

He Loves His Family

Despite Hollywood’s record of short, troubled marriages, Pratt’s relationship with his family has been bliss.  Pratt married actress Anna Faris in July of 2009, and has since left an online trail of loving interaction. Faris, on The Late Show, speaks about how she and Pratt met, citing the discovery of their mutual adoration for “dead bug collections” as the spark which began their relationship.  She calls Pratt “The man of her dreams,” breaking out in a genuine smile as she says it.

Pratt’s love for his son, Jack, born in 2012, often shines through in interviews and in his social media accounts, particularly so in his statement to People Magazine that, after being born prematurely, "The baby was so beautiful to us, and I look back at the photos of him and it must have been jarring for other people to come in and see him, but to us he was so beautiful and perfect."

Pratt also knows how to prioritize his marriage, saying that “A lot of times, people focus so much on their kids, and then when their kids leave the nest, they look at their spouse or partner like they’re a stranger. It’s just as important, if not more important, to focus on your relationship with your partner because your children are going to leave one day. You have to maintain a relationship that’s going to outlast your child’s needs for you.”

In a world of broken homes, absent fathers, and high-profile celebrity divorces, Pratt is a prime example to follow.

He's Authentic

Pratt speaks of his colleagues with utmost respect, never grandstanding, and never displaying a hint of ego.  When asked what it was like to work with James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, Pratt says that working with him was “watching a master at work,” and that he, as the lead actor, was just a part of Gunn’s vision, and was happy to be so. Unlike many of Pratt’s contemporaries in Hollywood leading men, when Pratt speaks, he doesn’t call attention to himself.  He speaks respectfully of others, gives them their due, and humbly talks about his own contributions.

During an interview on the Today Show, Pratt talks about being the star of one of the highest-grossing films in recent history, Jurassic World, saying that it was unlike anything he had ever done before, and that he was astounded and humbled to actually be in the sequel to Jurassic Park, which he first saw at the age of 13.  The actor’s demeanor, throughout the interview, is both humble and genuinely excited—a combination which he expresses in nearly all of his interviews.  This is a man who realizes how lucky he is, and doesn’t try to hide the wonder on his face when he discusses his life.

Coming from a man of such fantastic talent, this is a great example to others.

He's Hardworking

After going through a low point in his life after dropping out of community college and becoming homeless for a time, Pratt rebounded, and now puts a lot of work into his craft.  Pratt doesn’t come from a lot of money—growing up, his mother worked at Safeway, and his father, in mining, but even now that Pratt has found success, he still puts in effort and planning to make sure that he takes care of his family.

In an interview with American Way, Pratt says that “I need to work while the work is here. I have my eyes on the prize. The big picture is my wife and my son and I living somewhere other than L.A., just being able to be a Boy Scout leader, drink beer on Saturday, go to church on Sunday, having fun. I could coach him in football. That’s the goal, and I need to do as many big movies as I can while there’s still time. Because you never know what’s next.”

Pratt is a man who sees the big picture—not merely the present, full of fame and fortune though it is—and is willing to work toward an ultimate goal that’s great not only for him, but also for his family.

He Has a Big Heart

When Pratt’s son was born nine weeks premature, Pratt and his wife underwent a difficult few weeks while their child recovered.  Not only did Pratt make it through this experience, but he now works to connect with sick children, allowing them to meet him, or one of his many characters, simply to bring them happiness.  Pratt’s Facebook account is filled with images of himself visiting hospital-bound children, often putting smiles on their faces alongside other stars, such as Chris Evans of Captain America fame.

Each time Pratt speaks publically about a way in which he wishes to give, he follows through.  Whether that be in the form of donating millions to charities, or simply donating a few moments of time to an ill child, Pratt goes about his charity work with a sense of purpose, and an air of joy—a joy that’s so contagious that the children he visits cannot help but smile.

If young viewers want to find a celebrity with a true servant’s heart to emulate, look no further.

Someone to Look Up To

Whether adventuring as Star Lord, taming vicious velicoraptors, or simply making us laugh, Chris Pratt remains that rare example—a celebrity figure to be emulated rather than cautioned against, one who loves his family, adheres to his values, and gives to others, and one who knows how to use the spotlight for more than simple fame.