Chris Hemsworth stars in Home and Away as Kim Hyde. He also just happens to be the son of Summer Bay High's principal Barry Hyde. Chris' character Kim has a complex relationship with his father.
Chris, born 11 August 1983, was raised in Melbourne, Victoria, and moved to Sydney to join the cast of Home and Away .
Chris had previously auditioned in both Melbourne and Sydney for the role of Robbie (now played by Jason Smith) but was re-called to Sydney for the role of Kim Hyde.
"The role in Home and Away is consistent work for me and is a great experience. It is so fast-paced and basically it allows me to learn a lot a lot about the industry," says Chris.
"I get along with everyone because they are such a good bunch of people! I'm learning a lot and having a ball. There is still a lot to learn about my character, but I've got a good grip on it all," Chris says.
"Kim isn't a bad kid, he has been there and done it all and moved to so many schools. He knows he won't be in one place for too long so he doesn't go out of his way to make new friends and doesn't care about the impression he leaves. Kim basically has the attitude of taking it as it comes," he says.
Just as his character Kim has moved a lot, Chris himself has moved a lot with his family to different parts of Australia.
When he was five years old Chris and his family, on a working holiday, lived for a year in an Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory of Australia. Chris' family lived in the Northern Territory for a further five years and returned to Melbourne when Chris was ten years old.
His family lived for several years in Sassafras, in the Dandenong Ranges of Victoria, and then moved to Melbourne's East Coast.
At school, Chris excelled at athletics, particularly hurdles and also enjoyed water polo and football. Chris has been a very keen surfer since he was a teenager and surfing has now become his favourite past time, as a shoulder injury prevented him from pursuing a football career.
On completing his education, Chris decided it was time to get himself an agent. After enrolling in several film courses in Melbourne, Chris has had appearances in Marshall Law, Fergus McPhail, Guinievere Jones, Neighbours and in the pilot for The Coast .
While pursuing film courses, Chris worked in several casual jobs: as a horticultural labourer, as a waiter, as a barman and also in a surf-wear shop.
Chris has now made Sydney his new home while working on Home and Away . One of his favourite past times is driving up and down the coast discovering Sydney's many beaches, always in search of the perfect wave.
"It was like being on a holiday at first, but as time has gone by I've settled in more to Sydney," he says. "But Melbourne will always be home…"
As well as surfing, in his spare time Chris likes playing the guitar and listening to some of his favourite music: Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, David Gray and The Pharcyde.
As a mark of Chris' immediate popularity with Home and Away fans, he was awarded the Most Popular New Male Talent Award of 2005 in TV Week's Logie Awards . He was also nominated for a Silver Logie for the Most Popular Actor in 2005!
Chris was born under the Zodiac sign of Leo, the Lion.
For even more info on Chris Hemsworth read our 'Up Close and Personal' interview.
