Charlize Theron Biography

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Charlize Theron in Universal Pictures' Snow White and the Huntsman- 2012

Birth Date: August 7, 1975

Birth Place: Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa

Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron is known for her powerful performances. Theron has tackled roles that range from a Savannah socialite to a working class New Yorker, proving time and time again that she is much more than just another pretty face. This incredibly talented actress began her career as a model in her native South Africa before coming to the U.S. as a ballerina with the Joffrey Ballet, before beginning her journey into the world of film.

Moviegoers were introduced to Theron's charm in her feature film debut “2 Days in the Valley,” with James Spader, Eric Stoltz and Jeff Daniels. Theron played Helga, Spader's partner and love interest, a woman unable to resist the allure of the danger that surrounds her. Even among such a powerhouse ensemble cast, Theron gave a standout performance.

In early 1997, Theron starred in Jonathan Lynn's “Trial and Error” opposite Michael Richards. By the fall of that same year she appeared on the big screen again, co-starring with Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves in the thriller and box office smash “The Devil's Advocate.”

Getting a glimpse of Theron's extraordinary drive and amazing talent was all it took for Tom Hanks to cast Theron in his directorial debut “That Thing You Do.” The two-time Academy Award-winning actor brought this story to film from the script he authored about a small town rock band, The Wonders, and the hit song that brought them fame. Theron portrayed Tina, Guy's (Tom Everett Scott) hometown girlfriend, a woman who is less than dazzled by The Wonders' overnight success and its repercussions.

In 1998, Theron starred in Woody Allen's “Celebrity,” for which she received rave reviews, and followed with “Mighty Joe Young,” opposite Bill Paxton. In 1999, audiences saw her star in the Oscar-nominated “The Cider House Rules,” based on the acclaimed novel by John Irving, and in “The Astronaut's Wife,” opposite Johnny Depp. “The Cider House Rules'” stellar cast was honored with a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture by the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In 2000, the much in-demand Theron tackled back-to-back roles in Robert Redford's “The Legend of Bagger Vance” with Will Smith and Matt Damon, “Men of Honor” with Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr., John Frankenheimer's “Reindeer Games” with Ben Affleck, and “The Yards,” co-starring Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, James Caan and Faye Dunaway. In 2001, Theron illuminated the screen in “Sweet November” alongside Keanu Reeves, as well as in Woody Allen's “Curse of the Jade Scorpion,” co-starring Helen Hunt, Dan Aykroyd, and David Ogden Stiers.

In the fall of 2002, “Waking Up In Reno” was released, which cast Theron opposite Patrick Swayze, Natasha Richardson and Billy Bob Thornton in a lovers' crossroads.“Waking Up in Reno” refers to more than just the alarm clock when these two married couples take a road trip - and an unexpected emotional detour - from their hometown of Little Rock to the “Biggest Little City in the World” for a monster truck rally.

The feature “Trapped,” directed by Luis Mandoki, in which Charlize joined costars Kevin Bacon, Courtney Love, Stuart Townsend, Pruitt Taylor Vince and young award-winning talent Dakota Fanning was also released in the fall of 2002. When their (Theron and Townsend) daughter (Fanning) is kidnapped by experienced kidnappers (Bacon and Love), the Jennings' (Theron and Townsend) turn the tables on this seemingly foolproof plan with unexpected results.

In 2003, Theron illuminated the screen in the exciting caper movie “The Italian Job,” co-starring Mark Wahlberg and Edward Norton and directed by F. Gary Gray. Her next motion picture, “Monster,” co-starring Christina Ricci and directed by Patty Jenkins, hit theatres that fall to rave reviews and critical acclaim. Theron's captivating performance as female serial killer Aileen Warnos won her the Independent Spirit Award, the National Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, San Francisco Film Critics Circle, New York Film Critics Online and Southeastern Film Critics awards, the Breakthrough Performance Award from the Nation Board of Review and the Academy Award.

Following “Monster,”

Theron starred in the feature “Head in the Clouds” opposite Penelope Cruz and Stuart Townsend. Theron next captivated audiences in HBO's “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers” opposite Geoffrey Rush, for which she received a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Emmys. Theron most recently starred in Warner Bros.' “North Country.”

She resides in Los Angeles with her beloved dogs.

Charlize Theron Filmography

Actor Credits

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) Ravenna

Prometheus (2012) Meredith Vickers

Young Adult (2011) Mavis Gary

The Burning Plain (2008) Sylvia

Hancock (2008) Mary

Sleepwalking (2008) Joleen

Battle in Seattle (2007) Ella

In the Valley of Elah (2007) Detective Emily Sanders

Aeon Flux (2005) Aeon Flux