What is Chris Pratt’s wife’s connection to RFK Jr? What we know as actor defends health secretary

RFK Jr’s name resurfaced in Hollywood conversations after actor Chris Pratt became part of the Kennedy family in 2019. That year, he married Katherine Schwarzenegger, whose mother Maria Shriver was the daughter of Eunice Kennedy, sister to John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Sr.

When Maria Shriver married Arnold Schwarzenegger, she bridged two powerful spheres: American politics and Hollywood. Reports noted, however, that she had not always aligned with her cousin’s politics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RFK Jr drew both fervent supporters and vocal critics for his outspoken opposition to shutdowns and vaccination campaigns.

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Chris Pratt shared why he kept politics off the table with RFK Jr.

Chris Pratt addressed his family connection to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast on Monday, August 18. The actor explained that politics had never been a topic of discussion with RFK Jr at family gatherings.

“I’ve spent a number of occasions hanging with him in a strictly family dinner kind of vibe, and I really got along with him well, I think he’s great. I think he’s funny. I like him. I love him.” shared Pratt.

Pratt also reflected on the public criticism surrounding RFK Jr's positions. Pratt shared his views, pointing to RFK Jr's controversial stances, including false claims about vaccines.

“When you jump on the bandwagon with the most divisive president ever, it makes sense that you’re going to be made to look terrible. So I don’t know what to believe,” he explained.

The Guardians of the Galaxy star emphasized that his interactions with Kennedy Jr. were limited to family activities.

“It’s not like I sit with Bobby and go, ‘So hey, let’s talk about this.’ We’re just playing cards or playing Mafia or having fun or having dinner. I’m not going to pick his brain to find out exactly which of those things are true.” he shared.

Still, Pratt noted that some of RFK Jr's work had bipartisan support.

“There are certain things [that Bobby] oversees that seem to be supported in a bipartisan way — like getting terrible toxic stuff out of our kids’ food. I think that’s a great thing. If you just do that, that’s amazing.”

He added that political polarization should not overshadow meaningful progress.

“I’d hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I’d be having an allergic reaction to. To be like, ‘Oh, well, if they do it, I don’t want it to happen. I’ll put Clorox in my children’s cereal myself!’ Be reasonable here. There’s certain things that would be a good thing to have. I want them all to be successful.” he explained.

Calling politics a “nasty business,” Pratt concluded by saying,

“I’ve seen how the person you are can be such a contrast to the person that people are being told that you are, and you can go, ‘Wow, that is pure fiction.’”

On assassination anniversary, Maria Shriver shared memories of uncle JFK:

Maria Shriver looked back with reverence on the 57th anniversary of her uncle John F. Kennedy’s assassination. On November 22, 2020, she took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a photo of the late president greeting supporters and to write about his impact.

“As this day comes to an end, I want to close it out honoring my Uncle Jack. He was a light. His smile lit up the room. His words inspired millions, and his service brought hope to millions. But he was also a father, a son, a beloved brother, and uncle,” Shriver wrote.

Her reflections also turned to her memory of that tragic day in 1963.

“I remember this day like it happened a moment ago. My world stopped, as did so many others today,” she said.

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