Born:
August 07, 1975
in
Benoni, South Africa
Best Known For:
Her Oscar win for Monster.
Early-life:
Born on August 7, 1975, in Benoni, South Africa. She was named after her father, Charles, who died when she was 15 after her mother shot him in an act of self-defence. At 16, Theron won a one-year modelling contract and moved to Europe with her mother. She later trained as a ballerina, but a knee injury ended her dance career. She then decided to switch to acting, and moved to Los Angeles.
Career:
An agent spotted Theron arguing with a bank clerk and signed her on the spot. After eight months of acting lessons she landed her first role, a non-speaking part in Children of the Corn III. A more significant role in 2 Days in the Valley followed. Tom Hanks cast her in That Thing You Do! in 1996, and she hasn't looked back, appearing in hits such as The Devil's Advocate, Mighty Joe Young, and Reindeer Games. In 2003, she starred in the remake of The Italian Job and critically acclaimed drama Monster; her performance in the latter won her an Oscar. She also starred in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Aeon Flux, Hancock, The Road, Young Adult, Snow White & the Huntsman and Prometheus.
Quote:
"Looks alone won't get you that far. It may get you in the door, but there's always somebody younger, somebody prettier. You have to rely on something else."
Trivia:
In 2010, Theron co-presented the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Cape Town.