Once living out of his car, Sam Worthington rose from near anonymity to global fame after being cast by director James Cameron as the lead in the blockbuster Avatar franchise.

The latest installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, premiered worldwide on December 19 and quickly drew audiences, earning an estimated $500 million in its first seven days. Beyond the continued appeal of the franchise, Worthington, now 49, has drawn attention for reprising his role as Jake Sully for the third time. According to ScreenRant, his performance focuses heavily on internal conflict, highlighting the character’s psychological growth as he confronts new enemies.

As Variety notes, before auditioning for Avatar, Worthington had little footing in Hollywood. He graduated from Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1998 at age 22 and spent years playing minor roles in film and television. His first major recognition came in 2004, when he won Best Actor from the Australian Film Institute for Somersault, directed by Cate Shortland.

In an interview with Men’s Journal, Worthington recalled feeling lost and unmotivated during that period. In an effort to reset his life, he sold most of his belongings, kept only a few essentials, and lived out of an old Toyota Corolla. “I sold everything I owned to friends because I didn’t like the person I’d become,” he said. Around that time, he heard about an audition for an unnamed American science-fiction project. He drove to Sydney, recorded a tape, and sent it in.

Speaking to Variety, Worthington said he was asked to perform a scene in which a character named Jake Sully arrives on a fictional planet. Frustrated by the vague instructions, he ignored the script, improvised aggressively, and even spat his chewing gum toward the camera. Unbeknownst to him, that raw defiance impressed James Cameron, earning Worthington a place on the shortlist.

In later interviews, Cameron admitted he was initially hesitant about Worthington’s strong Australian accent but soon sensed an actor willing to fully commit to ambitious projects. Cameron envisioned Worthington portraying Jake Sully’s evolution from a rough soldier into an inspiring leader.

Despite studio concerns about casting an unknown actor in a project with a budget exceeding $200 million, Worthington landed the role. Producer Jon Landau later revealed it took days to inform Worthington of his casting because the actor was hiking in the mountains without phone service. Worthington soon moved to Los Angeles, living in hotels on daily allowances and occasionally sleeping in his car while waiting for rehearsals.

The success of Avatar turned Worthington into an international star—but fame came with challenges. He has spoken openly about the stress of constant paparazzi attention and how sudden celebrity pushed him toward heavy drinking. A turning point came when his wife, model Lara Bingle, issued what he described as an ultimatum: “You can live however you want, but I don’t have to stay.”

That moment prompted Worthington to quit drinking and reassess his career path. He began choosing more layered roles in films such as Hacksaw Ridge, Lansky, and the series Under the Banner of Heaven. Fellow actor Andrew Garfield has praised Worthington’s growing openness and emotional depth, noting that beneath his calm exterior lies intense feeling.

In an interview with The Washington Post on December 18, Worthington said he now prefers a low-profile lifestyle, avoiding the spotlight whenever possible. An introvert by nature, he is uncomfortable with constant photography and scrutiny of his private life, even though he accepts it as part of the profession.

Worthington currently lives with his wife and their three sons in New York City, where stricter paparazzi regulations help shield his family. In a late-2024 interview with GQ, he said family life has been central to managing work pressure and shaping both his personal and professional priorities. He often brings his children to film sets so they understand why he must spend long periods away.

Next year, Worthington will appear in two new films, collaborating with directors Midi Z and Alejandro Monteverde, and will return to the stage in Doubt: A Parable at the Sydney Theatre Company.

Worthington has said he is ready to continue playing Jake Sully in future Avatar installments. “I often say I’m Jim’s soldier,” he told The Washington Post, using James Cameron’s nickname. “He gave me the chance to become Jake. We grew the character together and built something meaningful.”