Chris Hemsworth is a devout Catholic by upbringing. Raised in Melbourne in a family described as “a stronghold of Catholicism”, Hemsworth has noted that his faith gives him “peace and perspective”. Despite his fame as the Marvel star Thor, he remains connected to his religious roots.
Quick Profile: Chris Hemsworth
| Full Name | Christopher Hemsworth AM |
| Born | 11 August 1983 (age 42) in Melbourne, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Actor, Film Producer |
| Years Active | 2002–present |
| Children | 3 (one daughter, two sons) |
| Religion | Catholic |
What Religion is Christopher Hemsworth?
Hemsworth’s personal faith is rooted in the Catholic tradition of his upbringing. He rarely makes headlines for religion, but available sources indicate that Christianity remains important to him. Beliefnet’s profile of Hemsworth states that his “Catholic faith is a deeply ingrained part of his identity” and that he grew up in a “devout Catholic family”. In interviews and public comments, he has “spoken candidly about the peace and perspective his Catholic beliefs offer him”. This suggests that Hemsworth views faith as a moral guide through the pressures of fame.
Observers note that Hemsworth actively practices his faith. Church minister Stan Guthrie described him as “a practicing Catholic who seems like a decent and well-grounded guy”, implying he has not abandoned his religious roots despite Hollywood life. A vivid example of his faith in action came when Disney invited Hemsworth to read from the Bible at its Christmas Candlelight Ceremony, he read the Gospel of Luke during the event. This public act of faith reinforces the idea that Hemsworth acknowledges a higher spiritual dimension.
Early Life
Christopher Hemsworth was born on 11 August 1983 in Melbourne, Victoria. He is the second of three brothers, his older brother Luke (b. 1980) and younger brother Liam (b. 1990) have both become actors. Their parents, Craig (a counselor) and Leonie Hemsworth (an English teacher), raised the boys in Australia’s east. The family often lived in the Outback (Northern Territory) as well as in Melbourne, which Hemsworth recalls as an adventurous childhood. Crucially, the Hemsworth parents were devout. Beliefnet notes that “the Hemsworth household… was a stronghold of Catholicism” and that the boys were regularly taken to Sunday Mass by their parents. This Catholic environment “laid the foundation” for the siblings’ faith and instilled values of humility and service. Hemsworth’s own early life was thus shaped by this faith, even as he followed his brothers into acting.
- Family: Hemsworth’s father is of English, Scottish and German descent, and his mother has Dutch and Irish ancestry.
- Education: He attended Heathmont College in Melbourne before the family moved frequently between city and country.
Early Career
Chris Hemsworth at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024. He gained worldwide fame as Marvel’s Thor, establishing himself as one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. Early in his career, Hemsworth appeared on Australian television. He played Kim Hyde on the soap opera Home and Away (2004–2007), a role that brought him national attention. He even participated in Dancing with the Stars Australia (2006) before moving to the big screen.
In 2009 Hemsworth landed his first Hollywood role as George Kirk in Star Trek (directed by J.J. Abrams). This exposure set the stage for his breakthrough. The turning point came in 2011 when he was cast as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thor (2011) – in which he starred as the Norse god of thunder, was a major box-office success, grossing over $449 million worldwide. Hemsworth reprised Thor in all subsequent Marvel films, including The Avengers (2012) and its sequels (Age of Ultron, Infinity War, etc.). These roles made him a global star and, according to Wikipedia, “established him among the world’s highest-paid actors”. (For example, Forbes reports he can earn well over $15 million per Marvel film.)
Over the 2010s Hemsworth also branched out, he played James Hunt in the racing drama Rush (2013), starred in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) and Men in Black: International (2019), and led Netflix’s Extraction (2020). In 2024 he took on roles such as Dementus in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and even voiced Optimus Prime in Transformers One. His career highlights include action films, dramas, and comedies, and he has also served as a producer on several projects (e.g. Extraction).
Awards and nominations
Hemsworth’s work has earned both popular and critical recognition. He has won several fan-voted awards (Teen Choice, MTV Movie Awards) for his action roles. Notably, he won the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight (shared with Chris Evans and others) for Avengers: Infinity War.
In 2012 he was nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award, signaling industry acknowledgement of his talent. In Australia, he earned an AACTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024). He also won People’s Choice and People’s Celebrity Choice awards reflecting his popularity. While he has not yet been nominated for an Oscar or Golden Globe, his consistent box office success and peer recognition (such as the Order of Australia) mark a distinguished career.
Personal life
In his personal life, Hemsworth is equally grounded. He married Spanish actress Elsa Pataky in December 2010. Pataky and Hemsworth met in 2010 and have since had three children, a daughter, India Rose (born May 2012), and twin boys, Sasha and Tristan (born March 2014). Hemsworth has spoken of family as his greatest role and values giving his children a normal, humble upbringing. The family lived in Los Angeles for several years but moved back to Australia in 2015. They settled in Byron Bay, New South Wales, a quiet coastal town seeking a simpler life away from Hollywood’s spotlight. The couple’s home is famously large and privately nicknamed “Fortress Hemsworth,” but they enjoy outdoor life there with their children and horses.
- Brothers: Hemsworth’s two brothers are also actors. Luke Hemsworth (b. 1979) had roles in Westworld, and Liam Hemsworth (b. 1990) starred in The Hunger Games. All three grew up in the same Catholic household.
- Languages: Hemsworth speaks some Spanish (from his wife) and Indonesian, reflecting an international family life.
- Honors: In 2021 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to performing arts and charity. In May 2024 he was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which his family attended.
