Chris Pine was born in Los Angeles, California, to a family of actors. His parents, Robert Pine and Gwynne Gilford, have a long history in the entertainment industry. Chris's maternal grandparents, Max M. Gilford and Anne Gwynne, were also prominent figures in Hollywood, with Max serving as the president of the Hollywood Bar Association.
Chris's ancestry is a unique blend of cultures, with Russian Jewish heritage on his maternal side, and English, German, Welsh, and French roots. He attended Oakwood School in the San Fernando Valley, where he developed a passion for acting. Chris then went on to study English at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a bachelor's degree. During his time at Berkeley, he spent a year studying at the University of Leeds in England, further broadening his cultural perspective.
After completing his education, Chris enrolled in the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where he honed his acting skills. He quickly gained recognition in the television industry, landing guest roles in various series. His feature film debut came in 2004 with The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, opposite Anne Hathaway.
Over the years, Chris has appeared in a wide range of films and television shows, including Unstoppable, This Means War, People Like Us, and the highly successful Star Trek franchise. He became an international star after being cast as James T. Kirk in the 2009 reboot of the iconic franchise.