Chris Hemsworth (born 11 August 1983) is an Australian actor. Hemsworth is best known for portraying Thor in the Marvel Studios films Thor (2011) and Marvel’s The Avengers (2012), a role he will reprise in Thor: The Dark World in 2013. He first became known for his roles as Kim Hyde in the Australian TV series Home and Away and as Lieutenant Commander George Kirk in Star Trek (2009), his first major film role. In 2012 he also starred in The Cabin in the Woods and Snow White and the Huntsman.
In 2004, Hemsworth auditioned for the Australian soap opera Home and Away role of Robbie Hunter (played by Jason Smith), but did not receive the part. He was subsequently recalled for the part of Kim Hyde and moved to Sydney to join the cast, appearing in 171 episodes of the series. He left the cast of Home and Away on 3 July 2007.
In 2009, Hemsworth portrayed James T. Kirk’s father, George Kirk, in the opening scenes of J. J. Abrams’ film Star Trek. He played the character Kale in the thriller A Perfect Getaway the same year. He went on to play Sam in Ca$h, which was the first film he shot when he arrived in the United States. The film’s director, Stephen Milburn Anderson, said Hemsworth had only been in the United States for six weeks when he had auditioned for the role, recalling, “Here’s a guy who is young, has the right look, is a very good actor and, let’s face it, he’s beautiful. So I say, we need to get this guy in. I was very impressed”. In November 2010 The Hollywood Reporter named Hemsworth as one of the young male actors who are “pushing – or being pushed” into taking over Hollywood as the new “A-List”. MTV Networks’ NextMovie.com named him one of its “25 Breakout Stars to Watch for in 2011″.
He is best known for his role as the Marvel Comics superhero Thor in the 2011 Marvel Studios film Thor. He and cast-mate Tom Hiddleston, who ultimately played the antagonist Loki, had each auditioned for the role, for which Hemsworth said he put on 20 pounds of muscle. Hemsworth reprised the role in the 2012 film The Avengers as one of the six superheroes sent to defend Earth from his adopted brother, Loki.
He starred in the 2012 horror film The Cabin in the Woods, and played the role of Jed Eckert in a Red Dawn remake, scheduled for November 2012. Also that year, he starred opposite Kristen Stewart in the filmSnow White & the Huntsman as the Huntsman.
In 2013, Hemsworth will reprise his role as Thor in the sequel Thor: The Dark World, set to start filming in August 2012. He is also set to star in Ron Howard’s action film Rush as Formula 1 driver James Hunt. Additionally, Hemsworth is scheduled to star in the 2014 thriller Shadow Runner.
