Chris Hemsworth Declares Australia Return His 'Greatest Decision' After Leaving Los Angeles
Chris Hemsworth has emphatically stated that relocating his family from Los Angeles back to his native Australia stands as the "greatest decision" he has ever made. The Avengers star, now residing on a spacious farm with his wife Elsa Pataky and their three children, opened up about this life-changing move during a recent episode of the Smartless podcast.
Escaping the Downsides of Los Angeles Life
Reflecting on their time in LA, Hemsworth explained that the family was "set up in L.A. and not enjoying it." This dissatisfaction peaked around the birth of his twin boys, Sasha and Tristan, now 11, as filming opportunities were scarce in the city. "Like nothing was shooting there. We were filming kind of everywhere else," he noted, highlighting the impracticality of their Hollywood base.
Adding to the strain were the constant intrusions of paparazzi and the overall "trappings" of celebrity life in Los Angeles. Hemsworth described how returning home felt burdensome rather than relaxing, a stark contrast to his current situation in Australia.
Embracing a Tranquil Farm Life Down Under
Today, Hemsworth and Pataky have settled on a "big farm" in Australia, where their children—including daughter India Rose, 13—enjoy ample outdoor activities. "You know, when you come back from work, you wanna go on a holiday? Like coming home for me is—it feels like a holiday. We have a big farm and horses and motorbikes and surf," he shared, emphasizing the rejuvenating environment.
This pastoral setting mirrors Hemsworth's own upbringing near Melbourne, where he and his brothers, actors Liam and Luke Hemsworth, spent their childhood exploring bushland and rainforests. "It was just all bushland and rainforest sort of set up around us," he recalled. "And so we would just [have] … adventures outdoors and playing different characters. And I think that's, to be honest, where the sort of intrigue or interest in that transportation into another." This connection to nature and imaginative play, he believes, first sparked his passion for acting.
A Growing Trend Among Hollywood Actors
Hemsworth is not alone in seeking a change from Los Angeles. Recently, actor Joe Manganiello and his fiancée Caitlin O'Connor discussed their move from California to Pennsylvania, citing rising crime rates and shifts in the entertainment industry. O'Connor remarked, "The crime in Los Angeles is at an all-time high," and noted that "L.A. is no longer the entertainment capital of the world."
She pointed out that auditions now often occur via Zoom, premieres are increasingly held in New York, and production is moving to locations like New Jersey and overseas. "The industry has moved. It's no longer there," she concluded, echoing a sentiment that may resonate with many in Hollywood seeking alternatives to the traditional LA hub.
For Hemsworth, however, the decision was deeply personal, rooted in family well-being and a return to his roots. His move underscores a broader narrative of celebrities prioritizing quality of life and natural settings over the glitz and pressures of city living, making his Australian farm not just a home, but a sanctuary.
