When Chris Pine was 29, he played James T. Kirk in the 2009 Star Trek reboot, the popular sci-fi franchise that gained a whole new following of fans who were excited to see his face on the big screen.

Over the past 15 years, the effortlessly handsome star has maintained a clean-shaven, well-coiffed look, nailing every outfit that drapes his toned body.

But now, the 43-year-old star – the son of Robert Pine who starred as Sgt. Joseph Getraer on CHiPs (1977 to 1983) – seems to be embracing a chic but hippy-ish style with a shaggy beard, salt and pepper hair and killer tan.

Rugged and shabby

Ditching his typical preppy look, Pines experienced a physical transformation so intense that many fans didn’t recognize him.

The rugged and shabby look came while he was preparing for his role Poolman, a 2023 box office bomb that he starred, co-wrote, produced and directed.

Embracing his character in the film, Pine fully embodied Darren Barrenman, a “hapless dreamer and would-be philosopher who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block in sunny Los Angeles.”

He appeared at the opening of the film with his bushy gray beard and his long blonde hair with gray roots loosely resting over the shoulders of a sand-colored blazer. He added to his outfit a pair of dark gray shorts and a t-shirt that reads, “I [heart] LA.”

Sharing a clip on X that shows Pine at the opening, E! News writes, “[Chris Pine] is just in a silly goofy mood.”

‘Homeless’

Before the opening of Poolman, released in May 2024, fans were shocked to see the heartthrob walking around Los Angeles with wavy salt-and-pepper hair and an untamed beard.

His bright blue eyes were hidden by dark sunglasses and his white tank top showed his toned arms, one hand clutching a mask.

“Looks 55 and homeless! Great character actor!!” writes one fan of the Wonder Woman star becoming his character.

Expressing their genuine concern, a handful of fans wondered if Pine was facing some hard times.

“… he could fit in with the homeless people on the streets there. I guess times are tough for everyone,” said one, while a second adds, “He’s going for the homeless look. Someone toss him a bar of soap, he likely needs a scrubbing.”

A third offers, “He was one nice looking guy, I wonder what happened?”

Then there were the fans who had a hard time recognizing Pine’s chiseled face under the grizzled beard.

“Almost don’t recognize him now. Sad!” says one user, while another writes, “I’m impressed anyone recognized him. He looks raggedy.”

Comparing the star to Jeff Bridges as the eccentric slacker in The Big Lebowski, a third shares: “If they ever remake The Big Lebowski, we know who to get to play The Dude!”

‘Chris Pine is a king’

Meanwhile, throngs of fans loved Pine’s new look and gushed over the actor who played the handsome Lord Deveraux in the Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

“Yet still fine as f***,” remarks one cyber fan, while a second says, “Still looks great.”

A third writes, “He was a prince. Chris Pine is a king now!”

Offering an explanation to his rough new look, another netizen adds, “Kids, this is what we old folks called ‘getting old.’” The user continues, “Nobody (except maybe Tom Cruise) stays looking the same as we age and get older. You’re welcome.”

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