Sam Worthington: From anonymity, now changing his life to an expensive actor after Avatar

The success of Avatar comes from the hands of director James Cameron, an attractive script, outstanding technique and the right cast.

Among them, Sam Worthington - who takes on the role of the male lead Jake Sully - is one of the most obvious names that change his life.

From Unknown Actor to Box Office Star

Before Avatar, Sam Worthington spent a long time with his acting career. Originally a mason, he turned to cinema and was well-trained in Australia. However, after graduating, Sam's artistic path was not smooth.

At the age of 30, he is still struggling with faint supporting roles, failing to make a mark. Financial pressure forced Sam to sell his assets, leave his apartment and live temporarily in a car, wandering among the mountains. At one point, he thought about quitting his job.

The turning point came when director James Cameron suddenly contacted Sam to audition for a secret project - later Avatar. At that time, Sam was still sleeping in the car because he couldn't afford the rent. The audition became the biggest test of his life.

During the audition for the role of Jake Sully, the project was kept so secret that Worthington did not know the content of the film nor the identity of the director. He was only asked to read a scene with a character from a fictional planet - which made the actor uncomfortable. Instead of reading the lines, Sam suddenly spits gum on the camera as a way of reacting.

Recalling that moment, Sam said: "I was angry that I wasn't given any information. I think it's a waste of time. When they said James Cameron wanted to meet me for his project, I just thought I was going to be in big trouble."

Contrary to Worthington's worries, it was this "unique" attitude that made James Cameron realize a rare fit. Despite the studio's reservations, the director decided to assign the male lead of the nearly $300 million project to a completely new face.

At the time of auditioning for the role of Avatar, Sam Worthington was in the most difficult stage of his life. He sold his possessions, left his apartment and lived temporarily in a car, roaming the streets of Australia.

"I sold everything to my friends. I needed to get out of that life. In Sydney, everywhere I went, I was recognized. I rebelled against that feeling," Sam shared.

When given the opportunity, Worthington put all his heart into the role of Jake Sully. He did not complain when he had to constantly fly to Los Angeles (USA) to participate in auditions and gradually build a close relationship with James Cameron.

According to Cameron, he sees in Sam a clear resemblance to Jake Sully - a rough, instinctive person who gradually reveals his leadership and inspirational qualities. "I've met a lot of actors, but Sam is the one who makes me want to go into battle with him, even to hell. Others can't do that," the director shared.

If filming wasn't an obstacle for Sam Worthington, promotion and media exposure were a big challenge. Co-star Zoe Saldaa once commented: "The process of filming Avatar is very private and comfortable, while the promotional campaign is quite the opposite. It wasn't an easy environment for Sam. He excels on the set rather than in front of the crowd and the media."

Slipping in the glory

When Avatar was released, the film quickly became a global phenomenon, holding the position of the most popular movie in history for many years with sales of nearly $3 billion. Overnight, Sam Worthington went from an unknown actor to a star sought after by the whole of Hollywood.

Immediately after the success of Avatar, Sam Worthington attracted the attention of filmmakers thanks to his cinematic appearance and masculine demeanor. His career progressed rapidly, from the son of a power plant worker to a star of the silver screen.

He went on to star in many major projects such as Terminator Salvation, Clash of the Titans, and was almost cast in the lead role in Green Lantern before the role fell to Ryan Reynolds. However, fame comes too quickly, and it also has consequences.

As Sam Worthington's status soared in Hollywood, the Australian actor gradually fell into a state of stress because of the loss of privacy. He is tired of being the center of attention, often being closely followed by paparazzi in his daily life.

In 2014, Worthington was arrested after a scuffle with a photographer who was stalking him. Sharing with Variety, the actor frankly admitted: "I would go crazy when I was asked to take a photo or be photographed. As soon as someone approached, my feelings of anxiety immediately increased."

As a person who especially values freedom and personal life, Sam Worthington is almost detached from the world of entertainment whenever possible. Even at the time of being chosen to play the main role in Avatar, it took the film crew many days to contact him, because at that time the actor was wandering alone in the mountains and did not have his phone with him. Producer Jon Landau commented: "That's Sam's true self."

At the age of 33, Sam Worthington fell into a crisis when faced with the pressure of fame and loss of control over his personal life. He admitted to being heavily addicted to alcohol, drinking early in the morning and considering bars his "world map".

The actor admitted that his popularity caused him to lose his privacy and fall into a prolonged state of anxiety. In the end, it was Lara Worthington, his wife, who issued an ultimatum forcing Sam to choose between his family and the path of self-destruction. It was a moment that helped the actor wake up.

Revival from the brink

Sam Worthington decides to detox, accepting to trade everything to redo his life. Years later, when Avatar seasons 2 and 3 came out, respectively, his reputation was once again strengthened, this time in a more mature and sober state.

The actor brought his family to New York (USA) to live, limiting the Hollywood spotlight and choosing roles more carefully. He accepts projects that are less flashy but rich in depth, affirming that acting bravery has been forgotten. Typical is the role of an army officer in the TV series Under the Banner of Heaven, which shows the actor's efforts to refresh his image after the crisis period.

The Australian star also admitted that he was more mature when he entered the age of U50. He shared: "At the age of 30, I am young and quite arrogant. The older I get, the calmer I become. When I was younger, I used to scream, be short-tempered, and be conservative with my views. Later, I realized that if I knew how to compromise and compromise in communication, I could find better things than I had ever thought possible."

From an almost empty-handed start, Sam Worthington currently owns an estimated fortune of about $40 million. Particularly for Avatar: The Way of Water, the actor received a salary of about 10 million USD, accompanied by a percentage of the profit. For Sam Worthington, Jake Sully is not only the role of a lifetime, but also the door to a completely different life - from the abyss of failure to the pinnacle of world cinema.

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