The Stunning Transformation Of Charlize Theron
Lifestyle - News
By HANNAH LAFOND
This story contains discussions of domestic abuse.
CONTENT WARNING
Ballet training
Before becoming an actor, Charlize Theron was a talented ballet dancer, and continued her training throughout her transition to modeling and acting. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended Theron's ballet career, but she still uses her training to help her perform fight scenes and stunts in films.
Childhood trauma
When Theron was 15, her father threatened her and her mother with a gun, leading her mother to shoot him in self-defense. In 2015, Theron told the New York Times that her childhood was filled with trauma as a result of this incident, but it’s something she feels "proud" to have survived.
Tantrum at the bank
When Theron moved to Hollywood in 1994, she had no agent and was living on the cheap. When she tried to cash a check at a bank and was rejected, others described her as "throwing a tantrum," but Theron said she was trying to survive; a man who helped her at the bank eventually became her manager.
Breakout role
Theron finally landed her breakout role in 1997's "The Devil's Advocate," in which she starred opposite Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. The young actor earned immense praise for her performance, and she went on to land major roles in "Mighty Joe Young," "The Italian Job," and many other projects.
Monster
In Theron's most groundbreaking role, she played real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003’s "Monster." Her physical transformation and stellar performance blew audiences away, and director Patty Jenkins said Theron's strength and vulnerability made her perfect for the part.