Would-be stars often find themselves undergoing dramatic weight loss to make it big in Hollywood, but Chris Pratt has revealed how his career took off by taking his physique in the opposite direction.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy actor may be known as one of the fittest leading men around now, but he used to be packing a few extra pounds and, during a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), admitted that it had helped him to start out in the movie business.

A fan asked: “How has your past as an overweight, comedic character influenced your growth as an actor, especially now that you’re considered one of the sexiest Hollywood stars?”

Anna Faris and Chris Pratt
Chris with wife Anna Faris (Matt Sayles/PA)

Chris replied: “No vanity in comedy, understanding the element of my job in where I am a prop. I was confident and in good shape when I first came to LA but nobody would cast me in any well-written roles.

“People assumed based on my looks I was an a****** and a one trick pony… They never let me improv or do comedy. It wasn’t until I built a shlubby exterior, which stood in stark contrast to my inner confidence, that people gave me room to play.”

He also revealed that one day he plans to star alongside wife Anna Faris in a film where they both have leading roles.

Anna Faris and Chris Pratt
Chris in his larger days with Anna (Tammie Arroyo/AP)

Chris’s most recent film has been Passengers, where he stars opposite Jennifer Lawrence, and shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote when a fan asked him what his funniest or most embarrassing moment on set with her had been.

He said: “We were sitting in our chairs waiting for the next shot and a big set light bulb exploded nearby and she screamed. High pitched. Very feminine.

“Then she immediately looked over at me and said, ‘Jesus Christ! You scream like a woman! Did everyone just hear Chris?’ And for the rest of the shoot I couldn’t convince anyone it wasn’t me. I just had to own it.”