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

The latest installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, premiered worldwide on December 19 and was quickly embraced by audiences, earning around USD 500 million within its first seven days. Beyond the franchise’s enduring appeal, Worthington, now 49, drew attention for his third portrayal of Jake Sully. According to ScreenRant, his performance emphasizes emotional depth, highlighting the character’s psychological growth as he faces new enemies.

As reported by Variety, before landing Avatar, Worthington had little footing in Hollywood. He graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1998 and spent years taking on minor roles in film and television. His first major breakthrough came in 2004, when he won Best Actor from the Australian Film Institute for Somersault, directed by Cate Shortland.

Despite that success, Worthington later admitted to Men’s Journal that he felt lost and unmotivated. Seeking change, he sold nearly everything he owned, kept only a few essential bags, and lived in his old Toyota Corolla. During this period, he learned of a casting call for an unnamed American science-fiction project and drove to Sydney to tape an audition.

In an interview with Variety, Worthington recalled being asked to perform a scene featuring a character named Jake Sully arriving on a fictional planet. Frustrated by the lack of information, he ignored directions and even spat gum toward the camera in defiance—unaware that this boldness would catch James Cameron’s attention. Though initially hesitant about Worthington’s strong Australian accent, Cameron later said he sensed the actor’s willingness to commit fully and trusted him to portray Jake’s transformation from a rough soldier into an inspiring leader.

Despite studio concerns about casting an unknown actor in a USD 200 million production, Worthington won the role. Producer Jon Landau revealed it took days to reach him with the news because he was in the mountains without phone reception. Worthington then moved to Los Angeles, sometimes sleeping in his car while preparing for the role.

Avatar turned Worthington into an international star—but fame came with a darker side. He later spoke about the pressure of sudden celebrity and constant paparazzi attention, which led him to excessive drinking. A turning point came when his wife, model Lara Bingle, confronted him with a stark ultimatum, prompting him to quit alcohol and reassess his life.

Since then, Worthington has focused on more complex roles in films such as Hacksaw Ridge, Lansky, and the series Under the Banner of Heaven. Actor Andrew Garfield has praised his growing emotional range and creative openness.

Now living with his wife and three sons in New York, Worthington embraces a low-key lifestyle away from the spotlight. Looking ahead, he is set to appear in new projects with directors Midi Z and Alejandro Monteverde, and will return to the stage in Doubt: A Parable at the Sydney Theatre Company.

Reflecting on his journey, Worthington says he remains committed to the Avatar saga: “I often say I’m Jim’s soldier. He gave me the chance to be Jake, and we’ve grown that character together.”