A shocking diagnosis, an enduring cross-family bond, and a mother-son tradition rooted in creativity — Anna Faris has shared candidly about all of these. Her son Jack, now 12, has always been at the heart of it. His journey started in a neonatal intensive care unit.
When Anna Faris and Chris Pratt welcomed their son in 2012, a diagnosis soon followed that left the couple stunned. For weeks, they were confronted with difficult news and prolonged hospital stays. What came next was a series of developmental milestones that took more time to reach than typical.
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris at The Lollipop Theater Network’s Game Day 2009 Sneak Peek Event on September 16, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
At 12 years old now, Jack’s journey is no longer shaped solely by his early experiences. However, the influence of those formative years remains evident in how Faris and Pratt have decided to parent him. In recent years, both have shared their personal stories, providing a rare glimpse into the life they’ve created for their son.
Initial Encounters: From On-Screen Bonding to Building a Life Together
Faris and Pratt crossed paths in 2007 during the making of the rom-com Take Me Home Tonight. Their chemistry was immediate, sparked by a mutual appreciation for humor and an unexpected shared passion: insect collecting.
At the time, Faris had recently ended her marriage to actor Ben Indra, with whom she was wed from 2004 to 2008. Faris and Pratt tied the knot in 2009. In interviews, Pratt has shared that their choice to expand their family felt like a completely organic step for both of them.
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris arrive at the premiere of NBC’s “Parks & Recreation” on April 9, 2009 | Source: Getty Images“I don’t think either of us wanted it more than the other,” he shared. “She’d ask, ‘How do you feel about that?’ and I’d reply, ‘I’ve been thinking about that too! I think it’d be great.’” Just three years later, they were awaiting the arrival of their first child. But Jack’s birth would turn out to be anything but what they had envisioned.
Anna Faris and Chris Pratt during the premiere of “Passengers” on December 14, 2016 in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images
In August 2012, Faris was seven months pregnant when her water broke suddenly in the middle of the night. She was quickly taken to the hospital, where doctors managed to stop active labor with the help of magnesium sulfate.
The plan was to keep her on bed rest for four weeks to give the baby more time to grow. However, just a week later, labor began again. Faris later shared that she was in disbelief about the situation. “For hours, I kept thinking, ‘It’s just indigestion,'” she recounted in 2015.
Both she and Pratt were filled with fear, uncertain of what the early birth would mean for their son. Jack arrived nine weeks ahead of schedule. While he seemed stable initially, doctors soon identified a complication that would shape the challenging weeks that followed.
Anna Faris and Chris Pratt on April 24, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
NICU Emergency: ‘Critical Brain Hemorrhage’
Soon after Jack was born, the doctors delivered heartbreaking news to the new parents: their son had experienced a severe brain hemorrhage. This serious condition raised urgent worries about his future development.
The newborn was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit, where he would stay for the following month. In her memoir “Unqualified,” Faris reflected on the moment when she and Pratt were taken aside by the pediatric neurosurgeon.
“There was a possibility that he could have developmental disabilities,” she wrote. The unknowns were daunting, but the couple stayed strong together. “So Chris and I did what we could: hold hands, hope, and face it as one,” she continued.
Anna Faris and her son Jack Pratt are sighted at The Grove on June 4, 2013, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Doctors informed them it could take as long as 18 months before they could determine if Jack would face long-term effects. During that uncertain time, the hospital became their home.
Pratt later spoke about how profoundly emotional the experience was. “We were terrified for a long time,” he remembered. They sought comfort in prayer and relied on each other and their loved ones. “It strengthened my faith in God,” he shared. “Not that it was ever lost, but it truly reshaped it.”
Actor Chris Pratt and son Jack Pratt ride in the Seafair Torchlight Parade Grand Marshal vehicle on July 30, 2016, in Seattle, Washington | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Faris concentrated on staying resilient while navigating the emotional toll of uncertainty. “I knew I had to be as strong as I could,” she remembered thinking. Despite how delicate Jack appeared, both parents described him as nothing less than beautiful.
Pratt would later reflect, “The baby was so perfect in our eyes. I look back at the photos now… it must have been shocking for others to see him, but to us, he was utterly beautiful and flawless.” After weeks of medical observation and gradual progress, Faris and Pratt were finally able to bring Jack home.
Jack’s Early Progress and Small Setbacks
Jack was released from the hospital roughly a month after his birth. Although the initial outlook had been uncertain, he began to thrive and develop, with only a few minor challenges. As time passed, doctors observed slight difficulties with his vision and leg muscles, though nothing that required significant treatment.
By the time he reached four months, Jack was in excellent health. Faris later described him as a joyful and affectionate child. In “Unqualified,” she is quoted saying, “Today, Jack is at such a wonderful age. He has occasional tantrums, but he’s a really good kid, happy, sweet, and loves cuddling.”
Pratt also expressed immense pride in his son’s journey. “He’s such a fighter, truly remarkable,” he exclaimed. “He’s so open, and there’s no fear in him, no matter what comes his way.” While the early days were filled with medical updates and emotional challenges, Jack’s daily life slowly transitioned into something more routine and filled with happiness.
Jack Pratt attends the premiere of “The Emoji Movie” on July 23, 2017 | Source: Getty ImagesAs Jack grew, Faris and Pratt navigated parenthood while managing their busy careers. At the time, Faris was starring in the CBS sitcom Mom, and in 2015, she candidly discussed the emotional challenges of juggling work and motherhood. “Motherhood feels like a huge sleeping bag of guilt,” she remarked.
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris on April 19, 2017 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty ImagesShe also reflected on how Jack’s birth had transformed their relationship and its personal impact on Pratt. “It’s one of those experiences that either pulls you apart or brings you closer,” she shared. “I believe being a father is incredibly meaningful and fulfilling for Chris. He’s an amazing dad.”
Chris and Jack Pratt attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 6, 2017 | Source: Getty ImagesDespite their high public profiles, both parents chose to keep much of Jack’s progress private. However, as he grew through his early years, their priority remained unwavering: fostering a stable and loving environment for him.
Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, and their son Jack Pratt on April 21, 2017 | Source: Getty ImagesSeparation, Emphasis on Co-Parenting, and Dreams of a Unified Family
In August 2017, after eight years of marriage, Faris and Pratt revealed their separation. They issued a joint statement that highlighted their shared dedication to their son, who was five years old at the time.
“Our son has two parents who care for him deeply,” they wrote. “We aim to keep this situation as private as we can moving forward. We still love each other, will always treasure the time we had, and will maintain the utmost respect for one another.”
Chris Pratt, Anna Faris, and Jack Pratt during the ceremony honoring Pratt with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 21, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Their divorce was finalized the next year, but both actors continued to play an active role in their son’s life. In 2019, Faris expressed her desire to keep a sense of unity between their separate homes. She discussed the importance of creating new traditions, like celebrating holidays together, and finding ways to maintain a strong family bond.
“Neither Chris nor I are the type to hold grudges,” she shared. After their split, both Faris and Pratt entered new relationships that ultimately led to marriage. Faris started seeing cinematographer Michael Barrett in 2017, and the pair secretly wed in July 2021.
Anna Faris at the European Gala Screening of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” on April 24, 2017, in London, United Kingdom | Source: Getty ImagesPratt wed author Katherine Schwarzenegger in June 2019, and together they have three children — daughters Lyla and Eloise, and a son, Ford. As time passed, the relationship between their two families grew more collaborative. In a 2022 interview, Faris shared, “We’re all growing closer, and I truly value that.”
She praised Schwarzenegger’s approach to parenting, saying, “She’s so on top of everything. I love how she interacts with Jack.” Although they hadn’t yet spent major holidays together, Faris remained optimistic about the future.
“We won’t be together for this Thanksgiving, but I do hope we can celebrate holidays as a group,” she said. “And I truly believe we can.” As both families adapted to new routines, Faris made a conscious effort to keep her bond with Jack strong.
Mother-Son Connection: Creative Play and Personal Traditions
As Jack got older, Faris found ways to strengthen their relationship through meaningful routines and shared activities. In a July 2024 interview, she shared that every six months, Jack gets to pick a special activity just for the two of them.
“Since we live in Los Angeles, sometimes it’s Disneyland. We haven’t tackled Universal Studios yet. But trips to the San Diego Zoo are a favorite,” she explained. Their outings often include imaginative role-playing, a tradition Faris has continued since Jack was very young.
“I love playing the boarding-school headmistress,” she shared. “I enjoy those imaginative games with people in my life, which might annoy some, but Jack doesn’t seem to mind… yet. Unless we’re with other kids, then he’s like, ‘Mom, stop it. Stop it.'”
Faris spoke fondly of the joy she finds in these playful moments, saying, “It’s incredibly fun to feel mischievous with him, to feel like a kid again.” These private routines continue to be a cherished source of connection, even as Jack approaches his teenage years.
Jack at 12: “Smart, Kind, and Tough”
In August 2024, Pratt celebrated Jack’s twelfth birthday with a photo and heartfelt tribute posted on Instagram. The picture captured father and son bottle-feeding a calf, paired with a message that read, “Happy Birthday to my amazing son Jack. I thank God every day for you, my sweet boy. You are incredibly smart, funny, kind, thoughtful, trustworthy, and tough.”
The post received an outpouring of affectionate responses from followers, with comments such as, “Wow… time really flies” and “Aww… he looks like such a sweet boy.” In another post shared by Faris, fans remarked, “Omg, he’s your Mini-Me!” and “OMG! He’s grown so much!”
As Jack approaches adolescence, both Faris and Pratt continue to speak with pride about his development — not just physically, but in his character as well. Faris recently referred to him as “a solid anchor,” highlighting how grounded he remains despite growing up in the spotlight.
“I feel so lucky,” she said in March 2025. “I don’t know how he became so down-to-earth, but I’m truly grateful.” More than ten years after the challenges surrounding his birth, Jack’s unique personality — and his presence — now shine through.
A Constant Support During Times of Change
In January 2025, Faris was one of over 80,000 people forced to evacuate due to the Los Angeles wildfires. Her home in the Pacific Palisades was lost, although she and her family were safe.
Just a week later, she was back at work, filming a commercial campaign for Scrubbing Bubbles — a project she described as a welcome distraction. “It was, and still feels a bit surreal, so I’m incredibly grateful. It felt like they really had my back,” she shared.
That same sense of stability carried over into her personal life. While discussing her new comedy Spa Weekend, which she filmed alongside Isla Fisher and Leslie Mann, Faris highlighted how crucial it was to remain grounded during times of uncertainty.
In discussions about her everyday life, the 48-year-old actress frequently brought up Jack, describing his presence as soothing, steady, and grounding.