The talented and prolific South African actress Charlize Theron turns 49
For over the last two decades the Academy Award winner has starred in several blockbusters including “Monster” and “Atomic Blonde”
The talented and prolific South African actress Charlize Theron turns 49
The South African actress Charlize Theron is one of the most in demand contemporary actresses, owning a career that started back in the 1990’s and already earned her several awards
Charlize Theron was born on August 7, 1975, in Benoni, a city in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Raised on her parents’ farm, Theron had a tumultuous childhood marked by the traumatic experience of her mother, Gerda, fatally shooting her father, Charles, in self-defense after he attacked her in a drunken rage. Despite these early challenges, Theron pursued her passion for the arts, initially studying ballet at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg.
Theron’s early ambitions were focused on a career in dance. However, a knee injury ended her ballet aspirations, prompting her to explore other avenues. At 16, she won a modeling contract in Milan, Italy, which led her to Europe. After a year of modeling, she moved to New York City to study at the Joffrey Ballet School. When her knee injury resurfaced, she pivoted again, this time towards acting.
In 1994, Theron moved to Los Angeles. Her breakthrough came in an unusual way when a chance encounter with a talent agent at a bank led to her first role in Hollywood. She quickly landed small roles in films like “2 Days in the Valley” (1996) and “That Thing You Do!” (1996). Her standout performance in “The Devil’s Advocate” (1997), opposite Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino, established her as a rising star.
Theron’s career gained momentum with diverse roles in films such as “Mighty Joe Young” (1998) and “The Cider House Rules” (1999). However, it was her transformative performance in “Monster” (2003) that solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Portraying serial killer Aileen Wuornos, Theron underwent a dramatic physical transformation and delivered a powerful performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, among numerous other accolades.
Following her Oscar win, Theron continued to take on challenging and varied roles. She starred in critically acclaimed films like “North Country” (2005), which earned her another Oscar nomination, and “Young Adult” (2011), where her portrayal of a troubled writer garnered widespread praise.
Theron also proved her versatility with action-packed roles in “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015), where she played the fierce Imperator Furiosa, and the espionage thriller “Atomic Blonde” (2017). Both films showcased her physicality and commitment to performing her own stunts. She further cemented her action star status with roles in “The Fate of the Furious” (2017) and its spin-offs.
In addition to her acting, Theron has produced several films through her production company, Denver and Delilah Productions, including “Monster” and “The Burning Plain” (2008).
Charlize Theron has been open about her personal life, including her decision to adopt two children, Jackson in 2012 and August in 2015. She has spoken candidly about the challenges and joys of single motherhood.
Theron is also known for her activism and philanthropy. She established the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) in 2007, aimed at supporting African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Her work in this area has earned her recognition as a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2008.
Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2016, Charlize Theron, who also obtained American citizenship in 2007 (while retaining her South African one) turns 49 today.
Look back at the acclaimed and Oscar winning performance of Charlize Theron in the 2003 movie “Monster”
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