ACTOR Chris Pine has addressed the brutal revelation that he was rejected as the lead in The O.C. because of his acne.
In 2023, the casting director for the iconic 2000s TV series revealed Pine’s bad skin as a teen cost him the gigantic part.
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Chris, 43, read for the main character Ryan Atwood, which eventually went to Ben McKenzie.
This was revealed last year by casting director Patrick Rush in the book Welcome to the O.C.: The Oral History.
Rush said that while Pine had a “really good” audition, he had “really bad skin problems,” so they said no.
“I hate saying this, but it’s the truth: Chris Pine was at the age where he was experiencing really bad skin problems.
“And it was at that point where it looked insurmountable,” Rush said in the book via the AV Club.
‘PTSD’
Chris appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast soon after, which was resurfaced this week by Deadline.
The now-A-lister was asked about the casting director’s comments.
“It’s a part of my life. The man didn’t have to talk about it. I mean, it’s his prerogative.”
The Star Trek star admitted he had “awful skin as a teenager,” while discussing what happened.
“Look, I was going out for The O.C., like a teenage melodrama.
“I can understand why they wanted to have pretty people doing pretty things.
And bad acne is not a key to [success].”
That said, Pine said being reminded of losing the major role to star in the Fox series gave him “a little bit of PTSD.”
“It’s no fun having bad skin.
‘A little bit of PTSD’
Chris Pine
“It’s no fun going to auditions when you have bad skin.
“It was one of the most traumatic points of my life, but it is my story.”
The Californian teen drama started in 2003 and ran for four years, starring Mischa Barton and Olivia Wilde.
The O.C. was also praised for its soundtrack, which helped indie bands like Death Cab For Cutie break into the mainstream.
IS THAT CHRIS?
Chris Pine was most recently seen at the LA premiere of the movie Poolman sporting a brand new look.
He jolted the internet by debuting long blonde hair and giant white beard on the red carpet.
He was celebrating his directorial debut dressed as the film’s protagonist, Darren Barrenman.
To lean into playing the part, Pine arrived in the pool-cleaning company van, Awesome Aquatics.
He also wore a tan blazer with a pink carnation corsage, layered over an “I Love LA” t-shirt.
He also sported tight blue corduroy shorts and ankle-high white socks with a red stripe.
The actor completed the look with brown hiking boots with red laces, orange sunglasses, and a shaggy blonde hairdo.
Poolman follows follows Darren whose quest to improve his hometown of Los Angeles irritates city councilman Steven Tornkowsky.
Pine himself takes on the main role of Darren.
That said, Chris’ beard and long hair seems to have stuck as he’s been seen at multiple other outings with the jarring new look since.
PINE CAREER IS JUST FINE!
All’s well for Chris, of course, who shot to fame in 2003 when he starred in an episode of popular medical drama ER.
Since then his star power has only grown and he’s starred in many films since.
These include Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Just My Luck, Blind Dating, and Smokin’ Aces.
The Los Angeles native became James T Kirk in the Star Trek franchise in 2009.
He went on to play Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and star in Don’t Worry Darling, too.
His net worth is said to be $35 million, and he lives in a sprawling Hollywood mansion.
The Hollywood hunk enjoyed his fair share of A-lister romances with actress and models.
Chris has allegedly dated celebs from Zoe Kravitz to Olivia Munn, before he split from his most recent girlfriend Annabelle Wallis in March 2022.
The Peaky Blinders star parted ways with Chris, as a source told Entertainment Tonight at the time that the pair “have broken up and haven’t been together for a few months”.
Chris and Annabelle, 37 – who dated Coldplay frontman Chris Martin between 2014 and 2016 – were spotted linking arms in London when Chris was filming Wonder Woman 1984 in the summer of 2018.
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