Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron, born on August 7, 1975, is a distinguished South African and American actress and producer. Renowned as one of the world's highest-paid actresses, she has received prestigious awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Time magazine recognized her influence by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.


Theron gained international acclaim in the 1990s with lead roles in Hollywood films such as The Devil's Advocate (1997), Mighty Joe Young (1998), and The Cider House Rules (1999). She achieved critical acclaim for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003), earning her a Silver Bear and the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first South African to win an acting Oscar. Her compelling performances continued with another Academy Award nomination for her role as a sexually abused woman seeking justice in the drama North Country (2005).


Throughout her career, Theron has demonstrated versatility by starring in commercially successful action films, including The Italian Job (2003), Hancock (2008), Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Prometheus (2012), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), The Fate of the Furious (2017), Atomic Blonde (2017), The Old Guard (2020), F9 (2021), and the upcoming Fast X (2023). She received acclaim for her roles in Jason Reitman's comedy-dramas Young Adult (2011) and Tully (2018), as well as for portraying Megyn Kelly in the biographical drama Bombshell (2019), which earned her a third Academy Award nomination.


Since the early 2000s, Theron has ventured into film production with her company Denver and Delilah Productions, producing and often starring in films like The Burning Plain (2008), Dark Places (2015), and Long Shot (2019). In 2007, she became an American citizen while retaining her South African citizenship and received a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry.


Charlize Theron was born on August 7, 1975, in Benoni, Transvaal Province (now Gauteng Province) of South Africa. She is the only child of Gerda (née Maritz) and Charles Theron, who worked as road constructionists. Her great-grand-uncle was the military leader Danie Theron, known for his role in the Second Boer War. Theron comes from an Afrikaner family with a diverse ancestry, including Dutch, French, and German roots. Her French ancestors were early Huguenots in South Africa.


Theron spent her childhood on her parents' farm in Benoni, near Johannesburg. However, on June 21, 1991, her father, who struggled with alcoholism, threatened and attacked both Charlize and her mother while intoxicated. In self-defense, Theron's mother used her own handgun to shoot and kill him. The incident was deemed legally justifiable, and her mother faced no charges.


She attended Putfontein Primary School, where she felt she didn't quite "fit in." Theron dealt with health issues, including jaundice, during her childhood. Antibiotics administered to treat jaundice caused her milk teeth to rot, leading to their surgical removal. Her permanent teeth did not grow until she was around ten years old. At the age of 13, Theron was sent to boarding school and began studying at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg.
Reflecting on her early life in South Africa, Theron expressed appreciation for the surroundings despite family turmoil, stating, "I grew up as an only child in South Africa, and there was turmoil in my family, but the surroundings were so great. I was usually barefoot in the dirt: no Game Boys, no computers, and we had sanctions, so there were no concerts. This meant you had to entertain yourself."


Despite seeing herself as a dancer, Charlize Theron's career took an unexpected turn when she won a one-year modeling contract at the age of 16 in a local competition in Salerno, Italy. Theron and her mother then moved to Milan, Italy, where she spent a year modeling across Europe. Afterward, they relocated to the United States, initially residing in New York City and later in Miami. In New York, she attended the Joffrey Ballet School, pursuing her passion for ballet until a knee injury forced her to reconsider her career path.


Facing a major career setback, Theron experienced a period of depression. In 1994, she flew to Los Angeles on a one-way ticket her mother had bought for her, determined to work in the film industry. Initially struggling with a tight budget, she lived in a motel with only $300, surviving "from paycheck to paycheck." Theron even resorted to stealing bread to make ends meet.


A pivotal moment occurred when Theron attempted to cash a check at a Hollywood Boulevard bank, only to face rejection due to being a non-American citizen with an out-of-state check. Talent agent John Crosby, who happened to be the next customer, came to her aid, cashed the check, and gave her his business card.


Crosby introduced Theron to an acting school, marking the beginning of her journey into acting. In 1995, she had her first non-speaking film role in Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest. Her breakthrough speaking role came in 2 Days in the Valley (1996), where she portrayed hitwoman Helga Svelgen. Despite mixed reviews for the film, Theron's performance garnered attention, particularly for a scene where she fought Teri Hatcher's character.
Concerned about potential typecasting, Theron was cautious about repeating similar roles. She emphasized the importance of longevity in her career and the challenges she faced due to her appearance when trying to diversify her roles.


During her audition for Showgirls, Theron met talent agent J. J. Harris, introduced by co-casting director Johanna Ray. Harris became her mentor, supporting her in exploring different genres and eventually encouraging her to become a producer. Theron credits Harris as her agent for over 15 years, highlighting the role of mentors in shaping her career.

References

1.  Charlize Theron pronounces her name and surname in English. 7 April 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017 – via YouTube.
2. ^ Charlize Theron Speaks Afrikaans. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017 – via YouTube.
3. ^ Farber, Tanya. "Charlize defends her 'unique' American accent". IOL News. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013. I am a South African.
4. ^ Jump up to:
5. a b Berg, Madeline (23 August 2019). "The Highest-Paid Actresses 2019: Scarlett Johansson Leads With $56 Million". Forbes. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
6. ^ "Monitor". Entertainment Weekly. No. 1271. 9 August 2013. p. 22.