Chris Pratt Opens Up About the Hilarious Yet Painful ‘Ritual’ He Shares With Father-in-Law Arnold Schwarzenegger

Chris Pratt, known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, has revealed a humorous—and somewhat unexpected—reason behind the lung infections he’s experienced after each of his children’s births: his father-in-law, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Pratt, who has been married to Katherine Schwarzenegger since 2019, shares three children with her. However, he recently opened up about a recurring issue he’s had following the birth of each child: lung infections. While this might sound like an odd claim, Pratt was quick to point out the source of the problem during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show on February 28, 2025.

Pratt humorously placed the blame on Arnold’s love for cigars, sharing that the cigar-smoking tradition Schwarzenegger has followed during family celebrations has had unintended consequences for the actor. “He’s always smoking one on set, in his car, and in my living room,” Pratt explained to guest host Claudia Winkleman, before adding, “When we have a baby, he shows up with a Cuban cigar. I have asthma, so I should not ever smoke cigars, but I do because I feel pressure from Arnold Schwarzenegger.”

Pratt went on to share that this cigars-and-babies ritual has led to a predictable—and less-than-ideal—outcome. “So, every time I have a child, I have a cigar and about a week later, I have a lung infection. It’s a nice little ritual we have!”

While Pratt’s lighthearted comments drew laughter from the audience, they also shed light on a quirky family tradition involving his larger-than-life father-in-law, who is known for his love of cigars, a trait that has been part of his persona for decades. Schwarzenegger, an action star and former Governor of California, has long been associated with his tough-guy image, and Pratt’s anecdote serves as a reminder of the unique influence Schwarzenegger continues to have in his family’s life.

In addition to his family life, Pratt is currently promoting his new film The Electric Slate, which features a star-studded cast including Millie Bobby Brown, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Brian Cox, and Anthony Mackie. Despite the demands of his acting career, Pratt seems to maintain strong connections with his former Parks and Recreation castmates. At a recent red carpet event for the film, he shared his enduring bond with the cast, saying, “I’m still very close and text with those guys almost every day. It was just Aziz’s birthday!”

Pratt’s candid and humorous comments about his lung infections and his relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger provide a light-hearted glimpse into his personal life, proving once again that even Hollywood’s biggest stars have their own family quirks. While cigars may not be the ideal ritual for Pratt’s lungs, it’s clear that his relationship with his father-in-law remains an important part of his family life, even if it involves a little bit of smoke and a whole lot of love.