Charlize Theron biography, kids, boyfriend, net worth, age, awards, height 2025

Biography of Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron is an American supermodel and popular Hollywood actress of South African descent, the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the "Golden Globe" and "Oscar" for her role in the movie "Monster".

Childhood

Charlize Theron was born in Benoni, South Africa on August 7, 1975. Her parents, Gerda Maritz and Charles Jacobus Theron, ran a construction company and managed their own farm.

The future star spent her entire childhood on her parents' farm in Benoni: she loved playing in nature, and her best friend was a goat named Bok.

She completed primary school in neighboring Johannesburg. The farm's auxiliary work was performed by members of local tribes, and through interacting with them, the future star learned about 26 African dialects. Along with her native language, Afrikaans, Charlize was fluent in English, which she picked up from TV shows, albeit with a noticeable accent.

Charlize Theron Speaks Afrikaans

In 1981, six-year-old Charlize was enrolled in ballet classes, and in 1988 she was sent to a boarding school at the National School of Arts.

In 1990, a terrible tragedy occurred in the Theron family: the girl lost her father; he, a chronic alcoholic, was shot by his own wife. The shooting was in self-defense, unavoidable under the circumstances, and the police did not charge the woman with a crime.

Beginning of Modeling Career

At the age of 16, Charlize Theron, on her mother's advice, entered a local modeling contest and won. Shortly after, the beauty won an international modeling contest in Positano, Italy.

Young model Charlize Theron conquered glossy covers worldwide

After her triumph, she signed a one-year contract with a Milan modeling agency. During her year of work, she traveled all over Europe for shows, and then she went to New York, where she decided to settle permanently.

She dreamed of a ballet career, so she went to study at the Joffrey Ballet School, working as a model in her spare time. But Charlize Theron had to give up her dancing career: at 19, the aspiring ballerina suffered a knee injury. "I thought it was the end of the world, dance was my passion. I thought I would have to return to South Africa and work in a supermarket for the rest of my life," the actress admitted.

Charlize Theron might not have become an actress if not for an ankle injury

However, she didn't return home after that, but went to Miami, where she continued her modeling work. Her mother suggested Charlize Theron try her luck in Hollywood. She took the advice and flew to Los Angeles. She was desperately short of money, and for several months, Charlize starved in a cheap motel.

Her life changed dramatically in 1996 when she tried to cash a five hundred dollar cheque from her mother at the bank. The cashier refused to give her the cash sent from South Africa, and Theron made a scene. John Crosby, a well-known Hollywood agent, witnessed it. He noticed her and gave her his business card. A few days later, Crosby took her to an acting agency, and a bit later to an acting school, where they helped her get rid of her South African accent.

Film Debut

Eight months after moving to Los Angeles, Charlize Theron landed her first role, albeit a silent one. She appeared in a three-second scene in "Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest". This was followed by a role in the pilot episode of "Hollywood Confidential", but the pilot failed and the project was cancelled.

Charlize Theron's first film role

Charlize Theron's first significant role can be considered the crime drama "2 Days in the Valley" by John Herzfeld, where she played the girlfriend of one of the main characters. Another supporting role awaited her in Tom Hanks' comedy "That Thing You Do!". Interestingly, as a child, Charlize fell head over heels in love with the actor after watching the movie "Splash".

In 1997, she was offered a role in "The Devil's Advocate". This was the actress's first truly major role: the part required both creative and financial expenses from Charlize (she flew to New York several times for auditions at her own expense). Charlize performed on par with the film's main actors - Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves.

Her next role in Woody Allen's "Celebrity" also required Charlize Theron's full commitment. She transformed into a supermodel suffering from a rare condition - the ability to experience orgasm from a simple touch.

Later she starred in the film "Mighty Joe Young" from Walt Disney Studios. The film failed at the box office, but critics highlighted Charlize's performance, stating that the young actress literally pulled the film from the grave.

Charlize Theron's participation saved even bad films

In 1999, the actress appeared in "The Astronaut's Wife" alongside Johnny Depp. Further on, Charlize Theron's filmography was enriched with masterpieces like Lasse Hallström's "The Cider House Rules", where her character started a romance with Toby Maguire's character, the movies "Reindeer Games" with Ben Affleck, "The Yards" with Mark Wahlberg, "The Legend of Bagger Vance" with Will Smith, and the epic melodrama "Sweet November" with her old acquaintance Keanu Reeves.

Charlize Theron - Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1999)

Though "Sweet November" was well-received by critics, Charlize was "honored" with the anti-award "Golden Raspberry" for this role.

Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron - Sweet November Interview (2001)

Career Peak: Monster and Oscar

In 2003, Charlize Theron landed the lead role in the movie "Monster," based on true events; she was to transform into serial killer Aileen Wuornos. To better immerse herself in the role, she thoroughly studied the criminal's case, gained 22 pounds, started wearing contact lenses that made her eyes dull and pale, and surrendered her face to the makeup artists, who turned the beauty into a real monster.

For the movie 'Monster,' Charlize Theron gained 22 pounds

In 2004, the film garnered numerous prestigious awards and won Charlize the Oscar and Golden Globe statues, as well as an award from the British Academy. In 2005, her star was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2006 Forbes named her the highest-paid actress in America.

Charlize Theron as serial killer Aileen Wuornos

After the prestigious award, Charlize Theron starred in the critically acclaimed series "Arrested Development," box office hits "North Country" and "Aeon Flux." On the set of the latter film, she fell badly and injured her cervical vertebrae, forcing her to take a 2-year break. Although Theron recovered quite quickly, she suffered from severe neck pain for another 8 years.

In 2008, Charlize Theron starred in "Hancock" alongside Will Smith, which grossed almost $400 million worldwide.

Charlize Theron winning Best Actress for Monster (2004)

In 2012, Charlize showed the world her "dark side," playing the role of Ravenna in "Snow White and the Huntsman." The antagonist to her evil queen was Snow White, played by Kristen Stewart, with Chris Hemsworth vying for the girl's heart.

In parallel with her acting career, Charlize Theron continued to work as a model, participating in John Galliano's shows and advertising campaigns for brands such as Dior, Raymond Weil, and Uniqlo.

Charlize theron - Anuncio J'adore- Dior - 2011

In 2015, the premiere of the fourth installment of the post-apocalyptic action film "Mad Max: Fury Road" took place. The high-quality special effects film gave Charlize Theron's career a new boost. The actress appeared on screen in a radically new image: a brave, stern, bald warrior Furiosa, companion to Tom Hardy's character.

Charlize Theron as Furiosa ('Mad Max: Fury Road')

In April 2016, the sequel to "Snow White and the Huntsman" was released; Charlize Theron once again played Queen Ravenna. At this time, the actress was busy filming "The Last Face" with old friend Sean Penn, in a role alongside Javier Bardem. The film, which tells the adventures of a charity organization director providing humanitarian aid to Africa, was close to Charlize's heart.

In 2017, audiences applauded Charlize Theron in the thriller "Atomic Blonde," and 2018 marked two films with her participation. In the first, the dark comedy "Tully," Charlize played an exhausted mother of multiple children whose husband hires a night nanny (Mackenzie Davis). It was hard to recognize the stunning beauty in this worn-out tired woman – for the role, Charlize had to seriously gain weight. In recent years, the actress admitted, she only eats healthy food, so junk food affected not only her figure but also her mental state – she fell into depression.

To shoot in 'Tully,' Charlize Theron had to gain weight

The second film of that year was the crime comedy "Gringo," where Charlize was joined by Joel Edgerton and Amanda Seyfried. The actress also lent her voice to Morticia Addams in the animated film "The Addams Family" (2019) and signed a contract to shoot the sequel to "Atomic Blonde."

The actress also became part of the "Fast and Furious" franchise: she played the antagonist, the ruthless beauty Cipher, in parts 8, 9 and 10.

In 2019, the premiere of the biographical drama "Bombshell," based on real events, also took place. The plot centers around TV hosts Megyn Kelly and Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), who try to sue Fox News head Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. Charlize was nominated for an Oscar as "Best Actress" for her role as Megyn.

Charlize Theron in the movie 'Bombshell'

Initially, Theron thought about turning down this role. The real Megyn Kelly was caught justifying blackface, for which she was fired from NBC. However, the actress later concluded that the film focuses on something else entirely:

This is not a biographical film about Megyn, it's a film about women's rights, about what they've been through and how they've dealt with it. As soon as I understood this, it became easier for me.

In 2020, the actress shone in Netflix's action film "The Old Guard."

Charlize Theron's Personal Life

In 1997, Charlize Theron was dating the lead singer of Third Eye Blind, Stephen Jenkins, but after five years of a warm relationship, they broke up.

In 2002, on the set of the film "Trapped", the actress met Stuart Townsend. Their couple was considered one of the strongest in Hollywood for several years, but in January 2010, their relationship ended. According to the actress's friends, "they became more like brother and sister, and it was Charlize who decided to end the relationship".

Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend dated for 8 years

In 2014, Charlize Theron briefly dated Sean Penn; their affair was passionate, but unfortunately, it was short-lived - in the summer of 2015, they broke up.

Charlize Theron with Sean Penn and her son Jackson

The actress does not have her own children, but in 2012 she adopted an African boy named Jackson, and soon after her breakup with Sean Penn, Charlize Theron adopted a black girl named Augusta.

Charlize Theron with her daughter Augusta

In 2023, Theron started dating model Alex Dimitrijevic.

Charlize Theron is not only a talented actress but also an outstanding public figure: she has always considered herself a feminist, fought for women's right to control their own bodies, was an active participant in the animal rights organization PETA, and advocated for the legalization of same-sex marriages.

It's hard to believe, but the actress celebrated her 40th birthday in 2015

Charlize Theron Now

In 2022, Charlize Theron became a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She portrayed Clea, the princess of the Dark Dimension, a very important character in the "Doctor Strange" comics, in the blockbuster "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness". The actress's Marvel debut was kept a secret until the premiere. Theron admitted that she had never been interested in superhero comics. But then close friends made her watch all the Marvel movies, after which she dramatically changed her opinion.

Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch

Charlize Theron: latest news and articles

Patricia King

Charlize is beautiful! Now the scandal has come out with her, it never ceases to amaze. And to look like this at 45 is generally a skill.

2021-05-03 18:06:28
Eileen Briggs

A real woman with a difficult fate. Charlize is wonderful!

2021-04-25 22:17:12
Carlos Isaac Gonzales

Charlize Theron is great both as an actress and as an ideal woman, an example to many people. Only her upbringing methods leave questions of course... Well, there is about her son, whom she is raising as a daughter :)

2021-04-21 09:34:44
Jennifer Williams

I don`t understand why she starred in the Immortal Guard, the film is nothing at all, Netflix took off the bullshit.

2021-04-05 11:26:02
Christopher Cobb

I like Charlize, first of all, for her charisma and talent. Moreover, her roles are quite complex.

2021-02-28 15:00:27