He gets by with a little help from his friends! Hunger Games hunk Liam Hemsworth rediscovered his bliss after breaking up with Miley Cyrus, and it was all thanks to the good people who reinvigorated him along the way.
“I’m more comfortable in my own skin than I’ve ever been,” Hemsworth, 24, told the Associated Press after his breakup last fall. Indeed, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I actor has made a series of big life strides in the last year: Hemsworth broke off his engagement with pop star Cyrus, 21, in late 2013, traveled around the world for several big-budget movie roles, and purchased a $6.8 million Malibu pad in August.
One thing is clear: Single and successful, Hemsworth has a new lease on life. “For a few years I went down a path where I forgot to be in the moment,” the Aussie explained to the AP.
Then came along his costars Jennifer Lawrence and Woody Harrelson, who reminded Hemsworth to let loose and enjoy life. “Being around someone like Jen, who is so honest and laughs all day long, I am forced to be in the right now,” he continued. “I’m much happier.”
While the stars were filming The Hunger Games in Atlanta last winter, Hemsworth (Gale) and Harrelson (who plays Haymitch in the movies) became regulars at a local dive bar called the Corner Tavern. The two pals also hit up Paris nightclubs with Jeffrey Wright while filming the franchise in Europe. Hemsworth and Lawrence, 24, meanwhile, toured Berlin by bike during their days off.
Hemsworth has also kept himself levelheaded with his favorite pastimes, including boxing to blow off steam and his lifelong love of surfing. “The fear of dying: That’s part of the fun!” he’s previously said about hitting the waves. “It’s a mental release.”
More than anything, the star is all about his roots. “We come from a very close family,” Liam told Us Weekly of his brothers and fellow actors Chris and Luke. “We all understand how lucky we are.”
The actor has also been thrilled with the new additions to the fast-growing Hemsworth family. (His big brother and Thor hunk Chris welcomed twins Tristan and Sasha with Elsa Pataky in March.) “I’m so protective of them,” Liam previously mentioned of his four nieces and two nephews. “When I go away and shoot something, I constantly want to see photos!”
For more insider details, pictures, and posters from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I, pick up Us Weekly’s special bookazine issue, on stands and at BN.com now!
