Charlize Theron was born on August 7, 1975 in the South African city of Benoni. Her parents, Charles Jacob Theron and Gerda Jacob Aletta (née Maritz), owned a farm and road construction company.
While attending Putfontein Elementary School, Charlize began taking ballet lessons. At the age of 13, her parents sent the girl to a boarding school, after which she began her studies at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. At the age of 15, the mother, in self-defense, in front of her daughter, shot dead a drunken father who had lost control of himself. After reviewing the facts, the court did not press charges against her.
Charlize Theron: “Yes, this is a huge tragedy of my and my mother’s life. But you know, unfortunately, I am not the first and, I’m afraid, not the last one who had to go through a similar shock … I suffered from my father’s behavior from early childhood. He drank a lot, and the children at school knew this very well and were not always kind. The quote is taken from “DesireMovies”
At the age of 16, Charlize won a local modeling competition, and then took part in an international modeling competition in the city of Positano, where she also won first place. After the victory, Theron signed a one-year contract with a modeling agency in Milan. Dreaming of a career as a ballerina, the future actress entered a choreographic school, but due to a knee injury at the age of 19, she was forced to abandon her dancing career.
The mother of the future star decided that her daughter should try to make a career in Hollywood. Gerda bought a one-way ticket and sent Charlize to Los Angeles, where Theron went to acting school and got rid of her South African accent.
After 8 months, the actress got a cameo role in the horror film Children of the Corn 3: Urban Harvest (1995), and she also received an offer to star in The Show Girls, which she turned down.
Theron’s first serious work was the role of Helga Svelgen in the thriller directed by John Hertzfeld, Two Days in the Valley (1996). In 1997, the television movie “Hollywood Secrets” was released, which earned Charlize a reputation as one of the most promising young actresses.
Then Charlize starred in the films: “What You Do” (1996), “The Devil’s Advocate” (1997), “Mighty Joe Young” (1998), “The Astronaut’s Wife” (1999), “Gambling” (2000), “Sweet November” (2001), “24 Hours” (2002) and others, which consolidated the success of the actress and brought her fame in the United States.
2003 was a turning point in Theron’s career. Charlize starred in the crime drama Monster, based on the true story of a Florida serial killer. The role of Eileen Wuornos brought the actress the most prestigious Oscars and Golden Globes (2004) in the Best Actress nomination, as well as the status of one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood.
Charlize Theron: “For me to play the role of Eileen was akin to conquering a mountain peak. Why do people go there? Probably, they want to test themselves, to check what they are capable of. I am no exception here, I forced myself to rise to this summit.
In 2004, Theron made a deal with John Galliano and became the face of “J’adore” in the advertising campaign “Christian Dior”. In 2005-2006, Charlize participated in the advertising of the Raymond Weil watch. The popular actress is also involved with women’s rights organizations, is an active defender of animal rights and works with the Los Angeles Football Club, which is building stadiums and fields in poor areas of South Africa.
Then the Hollywood star played in the films: “HuniePop 2” (2005), “In the Valley of El” (2007), “Sleepwalking” (2008), “Hancock” (2008), “The Road” (2009), “Poor Rich Girl” (2011), “Prometheus” (2012), “Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012), “A Million Ways to Lose Your Head” (2014), “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015), etc.
In March 2012, it became known that Charlize Theron adopted an African American boy Jackson, born in the United States.
Charlize Theron: “Motherhood is an experience that I will not avoid, I have always wanted to become a mother. But at the same time, she always wanted to adopt a child. The only thing that makes me doubt is whether I can be as good a mother as mine. If I succeed at least ten percent, it’s already good.
In 2013, the actress underwent a complex operation on the cervical vertebra, which resulted in an injury received several years ago on the set of the film “Aeon Flux”.
In December 2013, Charlize Theron began dating actor Sean Penn. In December 2014, the engagement of the stars took place in Paris. For August 2015, Penn and Theron planned a wedding, but in June of the same year they decided to part ways.
Charlize Theron: “I was happy when I met Sean. I think that’s why he fell in love with me. Neither I nor he tried to plug some hole in our lives with this relationship.
In July 2015, after parting with Sean Penn, Charlize Theron adopted a girl.
Awards
▪ Best Actress Oscar for Monster (2004)
▪ Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Drama for Monster (2004)
▪ Screen Actors Guild Award / Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Actress for Monster (2004)
▪ Satellite Awards for Best Actress – Drama for Monster (2004)
▪ Silver Bear Berlinsky Film Festival in the nomination “Best Drama / Romantic Actress” for the film “Monster” (2004)
▪ Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (09/29/2005)
▪ Hollywood Film Festival Award in the nomination “Actress of the Year” for the film “North Country” (2005)
▪ Teen Choice Awards for Choice: Emotional Flash for Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
A family
Son – Jackson (adopted March 2012)
Daughter – Pink sparkles (adopted July 2015)
Novels
Craig Birko, actor (dated for 2 years in the mid-1990s)
Stephen Jenkins, musician (1997-2001)
Stuart Townsend, actor (2002-2010)
Ryan Reynolds, actor (2011)
Eric Stonestreet, actor (2012)
Sean Penn, actor (novel from December 2013 to June 2015)