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Charlize Theron

Born: August 7, 1975, Benoni, South Africa

Nationality: South African, American (dual citizenship)

Languages: Afrikaans (first language), English

Physical Features: Tall, statuesque, blonde hair, long legs, sharp jawline, intense gaze

Body Measurements: Reported as 36-24-36 inches (91-61-91 cm)

Early Life

Charlize Theron grew up on a farm near Johannesburg, South Africa. Her childhood was marked by family trauma, including the self-defense shooting of her father by her mother. She attended boarding school and the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. Originally aspiring to be a ballet dancer, a knee injury ended her dance career. At 16, she won a modeling contract in Italy, then moved to the US, where she trained at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Career

Theron’s breakthrough came in the late 1990s with roles in "The Devil’s Advocate" (1997), "Mighty Joe Young" (1998), and "The Cider House Rules" (1999). She gained international acclaim for her Oscar-winning performance as Aileen Wuornos in "Monster" (2003), noted for her physical and emotional transformation. Other notable roles include:

  • "North Country" (2005): Portrayed a miner fighting sexual harassment, earning another Oscar nomination.
  • "The Italian Job" (2003), "Hancock" (2008), "Prometheus" (2012), "Snow White and the Huntsman" (2012), "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015, as Furiosa), "Atomic Blonde" (2017), "The Old Guard" (2020), and the "Fast & Furious" franchise (as Cipher).
  • "Bombshell" (2019): Played Megyn Kelly, earning critical acclaim and award nominations.
  • "Tully" (2018), "Long Shot" (2019), "Gringo" (2018), "Dark Places" (2015), "Young Adult" (2011), and more.

Theron is also a producer through her company, Denver and Delilah Productions, producing many of her own films and others.

Acting Style: Known for her method approach, combining physical and emotional preparation, and for taking on challenging, unconventional, and physically demanding roles.

Activism and Advocacy

  • Founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), supporting African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
  • Named United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2008 for her work on ending violence against women and children.
  • Advocate for women’s rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights; publicly supported same-sex marriage and pro-choice causes.
  • Active in fundraising, public speaking, and global campaigns for social justice.

Awards and Recognition

  • Academy Award for Best Actress ("Monster", 2003)
  • Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Silver Bear, and multiple nominations for BAFTA, Emmy, and more
  • Named to Time 100 Most Influential People (2016)
  • Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2005)
  • Consistently ranked among the world’s highest-paid actresses

Personal Life

  • Became a US citizen in 2007, retaining South African citizenship
  • Adopted two daughters (one transgender)
  • Open about her experiences with therapy, trauma, and growing up during apartheid
  • Notable relationships: Stuart Townsend, Sean Penn, others
  • Known for her privacy, humor, and candidness in interviews
  • Suffered multiple injuries on film sets due to her commitment to action roles

Endorsements and Public Image

  • Longtime face of Dior J’Adore fragrance (2004–2024)
  • Brand ambassador for Breitling, Raymond Weil, and others
  • Known for challenging beauty standards and redefining the image of the female action star (see: cultural_ideals, male_gaze, female_gaze)

Cultural Impact

  • First South African to win an Oscar for Best Actress
  • Pioneered the modern female action star, blending strength, vulnerability, and agency (see: agency, subjectivity)
  • Broke Hollywood beauty stereotypes by taking on physically and emotionally demanding roles
  • Role model for women in leadership, representation, and intersectionality in film (see: women_in_leadership, intersectionality)
  • Advocate for diversity, inclusion, and authentic representation in media

Further Reading & Related Topics