‘Avengers’ Films Hero Honored Day Before His Latest Release
Actor credits his parents for raising him with the belief that if you do choose something you’re passionate about, if you lean into something you love with your heart and soul, then the purpose and the meaning is laid out in front of you.”
LA INDEPENDENT NEWS SERVICES
Heartthrob Chris Hemsworth received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame one day before the U.S. release of his latest film, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”
George Miller, who directed and co-wrote the screenplay for the post- apocalyptic action-adventure film, and Robert Downey Jr., a castmate of Hemsworth in four “Avengers” films, were among those joining him at the ceremony in front of the Ovation Hollywood shopping complex on Hollywood Boulevard May 23. His “Furiosa” co-star, Anya Taylor-Joy, was also in attendance.
Hemsworth heaped praise on fans, castmates and family, giving particular kudos to his parents.
He said his parents raised him “with the belief that if you do choose something you’re passionate about, if you lean into something you love with your heart and soul, then the purpose and the meaning is laid out in front of you.
“… We don’t say rising into love, we say falling into love, so fall into it,” he said. “There’s a leap of faith that occurs, and there’s a risk in that. But if you have people around you to catch you and support you then it’s a far easier risk to take.
“And I’m so thankful for my parents’ encouragement along the way, and the confidence they gave myself and my brothers to pursue something we were passionate about that ignited curiosity and creativity.”
During Hemsworth’s speech, the actor acknowledged his wife Pataky, 47, who accompanied him to the event alongside their three children: India Rose, 12, and twins Sasha and Tristan, 10.
“I want to say thank you to my beautiful wife, who has been here for my entire career basically by my side, endlessly encouraging and supportive,” he said. “And it doesn’t get lost on me that she put aside her own dreams in order to support mine and, again, [I am] forever in your debt.
“The fact [is] that nothing that I do, any of these moments, these special occasions and events, none of it is special without you by my side. I love you.”
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also declared Thursday Chris Hemsworth Day in Hollywood.
The man of the hour didn’t hold back his gratitude for the distinction.
“I, like many actors, on my way to an audition would drive through this section here of Hollywood Boulevard and see the billboards of films that I wished I was a part of, of films that were inspiring me, the stars on the sidewalk here and sort of ask myself or wonder ‘Wow, one day,’ or ‘What if?’ or ‘What would that be like?” Hemsworth explained while accepting the star.
“It’s kind of a dream-state quality to it, I feel like I’m about to wake up in some way and it’s just not real, it’s all something I’ve imagined. To be here in reality I feel a wonderful profound sense of gratitude.”
Castmate Robert Downey Jr. said of his friend:
“Beyond the cape and the hammer is a contagious Aussie charm. You are a remarkable human being,” the “Iron Man” actor said. “Chris is very daunting to describe. He’s very elusive because of the pretty packaging; however, upon further inspection, down under, he has a true blue wit and he has a depth of soul, and it has been my sincere pleasure to know you these many years. You keep us Hollywood folk on our toes because you’re just a real dude.”
The star is the 2,781st since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars.
Hemsworth is best known for his portrayal of the hammer-wielding god Thor, first in the eponymous 2011 stand-alone Marvel film, then in “The Avengers,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.”
Hemsworth also starred as the mercenary Tyler Rake in the 2020 action thriller “Extraction,” Netflix’s most-watched original film, and its 2023 sequel “Extraction 2.”
Hemsworth’s other memorable films include “Snow White and the Huntsman” and its sequel, “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” “Men in Black: International,” the 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot; the biographical sports film “Rush,” and “Vacation,” the fifth and final theatrical installment of the “Vacation” film series.
Hemsworth made his American film debut in the 2009 science fiction film “Star Trek,” appearing in the opening scene as George Kirk, the first officer of the Federation starship USS Kelvin and father of James T. Kirk, the future Enterprise captain.
Josh Tyler of the entertainment news website Cinemablend called Hemsworth’s scene the “best five minutes I’ve spent in a movie theater this year.”
Hemsworth was born on Aug. 11, 1983 in Melbourne, Australia, and raised both there and in the Australian outback town of Bulman. He began his career in 2002 in Australian television, starring in two episodes of the fantasy series “Guinevere Jones” as King Arthur, appearing on the nighttime soap opera “Neighbours” and one episode of the legal series, “Marshall Law.”
Hemsworth’s first high-profile role came in 2004 as hunky high school dropout Kim Hyde on “Home and Away,” which brought him a Logie Award in 2005 as most popular new male talent. The awards honor the best in Australian television.
Hemsworth appeared in 171 episodes of the nighttime soap opera, leaving in 2007 to concentrate on his movie career.
