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Hollywood literally banks on the sex appeal of its leading men and women, and considering he made the number 4 spot on this year's Forbes World's Highest-Paid Actors list, Chris Hemsworth is undoubtedly one of the sexiest men in the business.
But in a recent interview with GQ Australia, the Thor actor revealed a side of himself we did not see coming – and somehow he just got a lot hotter!
Husband to Spanish model, actress, and film producer Elsa Pataky, and father to daughter India and twin boys Sasha and Tristan, Chris spoke candidly about life as a family man and how he's managed to expertly balance his work-family life.
What lessons from childhood have stuck with you that you now teach your children? Tell us by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we could publish your story. Do let us know if you'd like to stay anonymous.
“Normally I come away with my family. We arrive in a city. I rush off to work, do my prep. Rush home, kids, family, my wife. Next morning, up again, trying to fit in some training. Rush home, feed the kids,” he shared of his usual work routine, explaining that he's made a deliberate choice to put his family's needs above those of his career's.
"There’s times when I’ve thought, ‘Wow, because having kids is more important to me, some of my roles have suffered.’ There’s definitely a couple of films I could’ve put way more energy into but I was like, ‘No, I’d rather be with my kids’."
Chris credits this decision to his parents and their loving relationship.
“I was fortunate to have a cohesive unity and wonderful role models, who had mutual respect for one another. I have a clear memory of my dad at a young age. If I’d go, ‘Stop being such a girl,’ he’d be like, ‘What’s wrong with girls? Your mum’s a girl? What is it, Chris?’ He was right. I remember that and always really admired it.”
Sharing another deeply personal side of his upbringing, Chris admitted that a big part of him wanting to pursue a career in acting was the big payoffs.
“I did not want to be broke like we’d been broke when we grew up. I wanted to take care of my parents and my family.”
Now at the opposite end of the spectrum, the actor still isn't exactly comfortable with his (sizable) bank account, confessing it's something he feels "gross" about, especially since he's aware that the financial struggles he experienced growing up are the reason for his current work ethic.
“I remember saving up for a surfboard when I was younger. The surfboard was 600 bucks and I saved up for a whole year with Dad’s help. I didn’t even want to surf on it for fear of damaging it. It taught me so many lessons about appreciation and working hard for something."
The experience has had such a profound impact on the actor that it's informed his parenting style, noting that teaching his children to earn their own keep is something both himself and his wife take pains to instill in their children.
“When I think about my kids, I don’t want them to miss that joy. Elsa and I talk a lot about how we instill that same appreciation and respect for things. I don’t want them to feel like they’re privileged in any way. The fact that we have money and their parents are famous, that somehow they’re special, that scares me because we grew up with no money.”
The God of Thunder is quite an avid Instagram user, letting his more than 20 million followers in on what Hemsworth family life looks like on a regular basis.
One look and it's clear that he has a firm grip on the things in life that are truly priceless: family, happiness, love.
What lessons from childhood have stuck with you that you now teach your children? Tell us by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we could publish your story. Do let us know if you'd like to stay anonymous.
See the links below for other adorable celeb dads:
- Dads Lionel Mapoe, Elton Jantjies and Ewan Strydom on fatherhood
- Thapelo Mokoena shares adorable snap of 6-week-old son
- Could this rapper dad be the reason behind SA's number one baby name?
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