While millions know Chris Pratt as the action hero of Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, far fewer are familiar with Daniel Clifton Pratt, the man who profoundly influenced him. As a hard-working miner and builder from the Midwest, Daniel’s life stood out for its resilience, determination, and quiet strength. His lesser-known story gives insight into the values and upbringing that helped shape one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Daniel Clifton Pratt |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth / Age (2025) | October 1, 1953, would be 72 years old |
| Birthplace | Virginia, Minnesota, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height / Hair & Eye Color | Not publicly documented |
| Education | High school graduate – athletics and vocational skills |
| Profession | Mining worker, later house-remodeling and construction contractor |
| Family | Spouse – Kathy Pratt • Children – Angie, Cully (Daniel “Cully” Pratt), Chris Pratt |
| Net Worth (estimated) | Not publicly available; modest working-class lifestyle |
| Known For | Father of actor Chris Pratt; his strong work ethic and lasting influence on his children |
| Died | June 30, 2014 – Lake Stevens, Washington |
Early Life & Education
Daniel was born in Virginia, Minnesota. He grew up in the iron-ore region and rugged landscapes of the Midwest, where he learned self-reliance and hard work. Little is known about his childhood family, but those close to him remember him as athletic, competitive, and mechanically inclined from an early age.
He attended local schools and participated in high school wrestling and shot put, which fostered discipline and endurance. Though he didn’t pursue higher education, Daniel learned through hands-on experience; he preferred “figuring it out” rather than sitting in a classroom. Anecdotes from his life show him stepping up on job sites to learn new machinery or construction skills on the fly. That fearlessness became one of his defining traits. Ting also exposed him to the realities of physical labor, modest living, and perseverance. These traits became cornerstones of his adult character — and later, of his parenting style.
Personal / Family Life
Daniel married Kathleen “Kathy” Pratt, and together they built a close-knit family that would eventually relocate to Lake Stevens, Washington. They had three children — Angie, Cully, and Chris Pratt.
Life in Lake Stevens was busy and straightforward. The Pratt family lived modestly, with Daniel providing a steady income from his trades and Kathy focusing on home and community. Chris remembers his childhood as financially modest but emotionally rich, filled with outdoor activities inspired by his father’s love for nature.
Daniel was known as a stern but caring father, a product of his generation. He valued toughness, integrity, and the ability to solve problems without complaint. His son Chris would later describe him as “old school”—the kind of dad who didn’t often express affection but showed it through his actions and sacrifices.
The father-son relationship had its challenges. Chris has called it “fairly complicated,” influenced by their differing perspectives and Daniel’s illness. Still, respect remained. “He taught me how to work, be strong, and keep going when life gets hard,” Chris said.
Career Journey
Daniel Clifton Pratt’s career was rooted firmly in the blue-collar backbone of America. He began working in the mining industry, a demanding field that required both physical endurance and technical know-how. Mining in northern Minnesota was tough, but it offered stable employment and a way to provide for his young family.
Over time, he moved into construction and home remodeling, becoming known as a reliable contractor in Washington state. His strong work ethic became well known: if someone at a site needed a heavy machine operated, Daniel would volunteer, learn quickly, and finish the job.
This blend of confidence and ingenuity defined his professional identity. He was a “can-do” man — practical, skilled, and proud of earning his way through honest labor.
Although he never sought fame or great wealth, Daniel took pride in his work and the independence it gave him. To his children, especially Chris, he was a powerful example of perseverance and humility—qualities that grounded Chris in adulthood.
Life Challenges & Turning Points
The defining hardship of Daniel’s later life was his battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disease that progressively weakened his body. For a man who had always relied on his physical strength and self-sufficiency, the diagnosis was devastating.
As MS progressed, Daniel had to leave heavy labor, which deeply affected him. Chris has shared that his father’s illness changed home life, adding new vulnerability and quiet.
Despite the challenge, Daniel remained stoic. He rarely complained and continued to face each day with quiet determination. His children learned resilience by watching him endure his illness with dignity.
Daniel Clifton Pratt passed away on June 30, 2014, at age 60, in Lake Stevens, Washington. At the time, Chris Pratt was filming Jurassic World—a career-defining moment overshadowed by profound personal loss. Chris later explained that he chose to channel his emotions into his work rather than pause production, reflecting the strong work ethic his father had modeled.
Current Life & Legacy
Though Daniel is no longer alive, his legacy lives on through his family. Chris Pratt often credits his father’s influence — both the lessons and the struggles — for shaping who he is today.
In interviews, Chris has said that his dad’s way of tackling challenges head-on continues to guide his own decisions, from how he prepares for roles to how he raises his children. “My dad taught me that you figure things out as you go,” he once told GQ.
The values Daniel embodied — hard work, humility, and family loyalty — now echo through the next generation of Pratts. While he never experienced Hollywood success himself, his character remains at the heart of his son’s story.
Net Worth & Financial Status
Daniel Clifton Pratt did not earn a large fortune like his son. His financial life matched a tradesman’s steady, modest wage in mining and construction. Reliable sources confirm no public record of his net worth, but it is understood that he maintained stability for his family.
More important than money was the legacy of integrity and work ethic. His financial success may have been limited, but his life’s “profit” can be measured in the values and character he instilled in his children.
Public Image & Media Presence
Daniel was not a celebrity, but his public image has grown indirectly through his son’s fame. In profiles of Chris Pratt, journalists often reference Daniel as the quintessential “hard-working American dad” — quiet, proud, and occasionally distant, yet the moral backbone of his family.
Chris Pratt’s recollections have kept his father’s memory in the public eye. He has described him as a role model and a mystery, whose strength and silence offered powerful lessons. The media often represents Daniel as the symbol of Chris’s grounded, small-town origins.
While Daniel never sought public attention, the glimpses his son shared have created an enduring image of a man of substance over show, whose most significant legacy is not fame but family.
Fun Facts / Anecdotes
- Self-taught Builder: Daniel often volunteered for unfamiliar tasks. When asked about machinery, he responded, “Yeah, I do,” and would quickly figure out how to operate it.
- Athletic Background: In high school, he excelled in wrestling and shot put, instilling in his son the competitive streak later evident in his son.
- Strong, Silent Type: According to Chris Pratt, Daniel “wasn’t one for words,” but his actions — fixing things, providing, showing up — spoke volumes.
- Father-Son Influence: Chris has admitted that his complex relationship with Daniel helps him play emotionally layered father-son roles in movies.
- A Quiet Life: Even after his diagnosis, Daniel preferred privacy and simplicity, spending his final years surrounded by family rather than in the spotlight.
Conclusion
Daniel Clifton Pratt embodied the American working class, shaping his family through resilience, skill, and integrity. His perseverance and values continue to influence his children, especially Chris Pratt, who credits his father’s guidance for his own success.
Even though Daniel stayed out of the public eye, his hard-earned values and strength resonate through Chris Pratt’s words and actions, showing how a father’s example shapes a Hollywood career.
Daniel’s story shows that lasting greatness often starts far from fame. His real legacy is the strength, humility, and resilience he instilled in his family, shining through for generations.
Daniel Clifton Pratt was more than Chris Pratt’s father—he was a hardworking, dignified man whose influence endures through the family and values he left behind.
(FAQs)
1. Who was Daniel Clifton Pratt?
Daniel Clifton Pratt was an American mining and construction worker, best known as the father of actor Chris Pratt. Born in 1953 in Minnesota, he was known for his strong work ethic and resilience.
2. When did he marry, and who was his spouse?
He was married to Kathleen (Kathy) Pratt, with whom he had three children: Angie, Cully, and Chris Pratt.
3. What did he do for a living?
Daniel worked in mining early in his career and later transitioned into house remodeling and construction work in Washington state.
4. What happened to him later in life?
He battled Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for several years and passed away on June 30, 2014, in Lake Stevens, Washington.
5. What was his net worth?
There is no public record of Daniel Clifton Pratt’s net worth. He lived a modest, working-class life focused on family and hard work rather than financial fame.