Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Charlize Theron
How Charlize Theron built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Charlize Theron is a highly acclaimed South African and American actress and producer, recognized as one of the world's highest-paid actresses. She has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Time magazine acknowledged her influence by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016, highlighting her impact beyond her acting career.
1989: Role as a Spy in Atomic Blonde
In 1989, Theron played a spy on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in Atomic Blonde, an adaptation of the graphic novel The Coldest City.
1994: Moved to Los Angeles
In 1994, Charlize Theron flew to Los Angeles with the intention of working in the film industry.
1995: First Non-Speaking Film Role
In 1995, Charlize Theron played her first non-speaking film role in the horror film "Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest".
1996: First Speaking Role in 2 Days in the Valley
In 1996, Charlize Theron played her first speaking role, portraying hitwoman Helga Svelgen in "2 Days in the Valley".
1997: Leading Lady in The Devil's Advocate
In 1997, Charlize Theron played the leading lady in the Hollywood film "The Devil's Advocate".
1998: Leading Lady in Mighty Joe Young
In 1998, Charlize Theron played the leading lady in the Hollywood film "Mighty Joe Young".
January 1999: Vanity Fair Cover
In January 1999, Charlize Theron appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair as the "White Hot Venus".
May 1999: Playboy Cover
In May 1999, Playboy magazine featured Charlize Theron on its cover, using photos taken several years earlier without her consent, leading to an unsuccessful lawsuit.
1999: Leading Lady in The Cider House Rules
In 1999, Charlize Theron played the leading lady in the Hollywood film "The Cider House Rules".
2000: Roles in Several Films
In 2000, Charlize Theron took on roles in films such as "Reindeer Games", "The Yards", "The Legend of Bagger Vance", and "Men of Honor".
2001: Roles in Sweet November and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion
In 2001, Charlize Theron took on roles in films such as "Sweet November" and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion".
2002: Role in Trapped
In 2002, Charlize Theron took on a role in the film "Trapped".
2003: Portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in Monster
In 2003, Charlize Theron portrayed serial killer Aileen Wuornos in "Monster", receiving widespread critical acclaim.
2003: Critical Acclaim for Monster
In 2003, Charlize Theron received critical acclaim for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in "Monster".
2003: Starred in The Italian Job Remake
In 2003, Charlize Theron starred as a safe and vault technician in "The Italian Job", an American remake of the 1969 British film.
February 2004: Academy Award for Best Actress
In February 2004, at the 76th Academy Awards, Charlize Theron was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Monster".
2004: Britt Ekland in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
In 2004, Charlize Theron portrayed Swedish actress and singer Britt Ekland in the HBO film "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers", earning Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
2004: Deal with John Galliano and became the spokeswoman for J'Adore
In 2004, Charlize Theron signed a deal with John Galliano and replaced Tiiu Kuik as the spokeswoman in the J'Adore advertisements by Christian Dior.
October 2005: Raymond Weil Advertising Campaign
From October 2005 to December 2006, Charlize Theron earned US$3 million for her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign for Raymond Weil watches.
2005: Arrested Development and Æon Flux
In 2005, Charlize Theron portrayed Rita in "Arrested Development" and starred in "Æon Flux".
2005: Academy Award Nomination for North Country
In 2005, Charlize Theron received another Academy Award nomination for playing a sexually abused woman seeking justice in the drama "North Country".
December 2006: Raymond Weil Advertising Campaign
From October 2005 to December 2006, Charlize Theron earned US$3 million for her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign for Raymond Weil watches.
2006: Highest-Paid Actresses in Hollywood
In 2006, Charlize Theron made it to The Hollywood Reporter's list of highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.
2007: Creation of Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project
In 2007, Charlize Theron created the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) to support African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
2007: In the Valley of Elah and Sleepwalking
In 2007, Charlize Theron played a police detective in "In the Valley of Elah", and produced and starred in "Sleepwalking".
2008: Produced The Burning Plain
In 2008, Charlize Theron produced the film "The Burning Plain" through her company Denver and Delilah Productions, also starring in it.
2008: Theron recalls ballet career
In 2008, Charlize Theron recalled her ballet career.
2008: The Burning Plain and Hancock
In 2008, Charlize Theron starred in "The Burning Plain" and "Hancock".
2008: Starred in Hancock
In 2008, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film "Hancock".
2008: Named United Nations Messenger of Peace
In 2008, Charlize Theron was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
May 2009: Support of Same-Sex Marriage
In May 2009, Charlize Theron supported same-sex marriage and attended a march and rally in Fresno, California. She stated she would not marry until same-sex marriage was legal in the United States.
December 2009: CTAOP and Toms Shoes Partnered to Create a Limited Edition Unisex Shoe
In December 2009, CTAOP and Toms Shoes partnered to create a limited edition unisex shoe, benefiting destitute children and CTAOP.
June 2011: Advocacy for Federal Legalization of Gay Marriage
In a June 2011 interview on Piers Morgan Tonight, Charlize Theron expressed her concern over the lack of federal legalization of gay marriage and emphasized everyone's right to marry.
2011: Praised for Young Adult
In 2011, Charlize Theron received praise for playing troubled women in Jason Reitman's comedy-drama "Young Adult".
2011: Young Adult Release
In 2011, Charlize Theron returned to the spotlight with the release of the black comedy "Young Adult", receiving critical acclaim for her performance.
2012: Roles in Snow White and the Huntsman and Prometheus
In 2012, Charlize Theron played Evil Queen Ravenna in "Snow White and the Huntsman" and a crew member in Ridley Scott's "Prometheus". Both films were major box office hits.
2012: Starred in Prometheus
In 2012, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film "Prometheus".
March 2014: Honored Guest at Fame and Philanthropy Fundraising Event
In March 2014, CTAOP was a beneficiary of the Fame and Philanthropy fundraising event, and Charlize Theron was an honored guest.
May 2014: Hosting Saturday Night Live
On 10 May 2014, Charlize Theron hosted "Saturday Night Live" on NBC.
2014: Public service announcement for UN's "Stop Rape Now" program
In 2014, Charlize Theron recorded a public service announcement as part of the UN's "Stop Rape Now" program.
September 2015: Signing of Open Letter to Merkel and Dlamini-Zuma
In September 2015, Charlize Theron signed an open letter urging Angela Merkel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to focus on women's development funding.
2015: Produced Dark Places
In 2015, Charlize Theron produced the film "Dark Places" through her company Denver and Delilah Productions, also starring in it.
2015: Roles in Dark Places and Mad Max: Fury Road
In 2015, Charlize Theron starred in "Dark Places" and as Imperator Furiosa in "Mad Max: Fury Road", the latter receiving critical acclaim.
2015: Starred in Mad Max: Fury Road
In 2015, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film "Mad Max: Fury Road".
2016: Roles in The Huntsman: Winter's War, The Last Face, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Brain on Fire
In 2016, Charlize Theron reprised her role in "The Huntsman: Winter's War", starred in "The Last Face", voiced a character in "Kubo and the Two Strings", and produced "Brain on Fire". She was also named in the Time 100 list.
2016: Starred in 'The Last Face'
In 2016, Charlize Theron starred in the film 'The Last Face', directed by Sean Penn, which they filmed while still in a relationship.
August 2017: Visited South Africa with Trevor Noah and Donation to Life Choices
In August 2017, Charlize Theron visited South Africa with Trevor Noah and made a donation to the South African charity Life Choices.
November 2017: CTAOP Raised Over $6.3 Million
By November 2017, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) had raised more than $6.3 million to support African organizations working on the ground.
2017: Roles in The Fate of the Furious and Atomic Blonde
In 2017, Charlize Theron starred in "The Fate of the Furious" as Cipher and in "Atomic Blonde" as a spy. "The Fate of the Furious" grossed US$1.2 billion worldwide.
2017: Starred in Atomic Blonde and The Fate of the Furious
In 2017, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action films "Atomic Blonde" and "The Fate of the Furious".
2018: Speech at the 22nd International AIDS Conference
In 2018, Charlize Theron gave a speech about AIDS prevention at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam.
2018: Joined Breitling Cinema Squad as brand ambassador
In 2018, Charlize Theron joined Brad Pitt, Daniel Wu and Adam Driver as brand ambassadors for Breitling, dubbed the Breitling Cinema Squad.
2018: Praised for Tully
In 2018, Charlize Theron received praise for playing troubled women in Jason Reitman's comedy-drama "Tully".
2018: Roles in Tully, Gringo and A Private War
In 2018, Charlize Theron starred in "Tully" as an overwhelmed mother, played the president of a pharmaceutical corporation in "Gringo", and produced "A Private War".
2019: Roles in Long Shot and Bombshell
In 2019, Charlize Theron produced and starred in "Long Shot" and "Bombshell", receiving nominations for her role in "Bombshell". Forbes ranked her as the ninth highest-paid actress.
2019: Produced Long Shot
In 2019, Charlize Theron produced the film "Long Shot" through her company Denver and Delilah Productions.
2019: Academy Award Nomination for Bombshell
In 2019, Charlize Theron received her third Academy Award nomination for portraying Megyn Kelly in the biographical drama "Bombshell".
2020: CTAOP partnered with Parfums Christian Dior to create Dior Stands With Women
In 2020, CTAOP partnered with Parfums Christian Dior to create Dior Stands With Women, to encourage women to be assertive by documenting their journey, challenges and accomplishments.
2020: Starred in The Old Guard
In 2020, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film "The Old Guard".
June 2021: Release of F9
In June 2021, Charlize Theron reprised her role as Cipher in "F9", after its release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Starred in F9
In 2021, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film "F9".
June 2022: Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award
On 22 June 2022, it was announced that Charlize Theron and Sheryl Lee Ralph would receive the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award for their commitment to raising awareness of HIV.
2022: Appearances in Doctor Strange, The School for Good and Evil, and The Boys
In 2022, Charlize Theron appeared as Clea in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness", played Lady Lesso in "The School for Good and Evil", and filmed a cameo in "The Boys".
2023: Role in Fast X and HBO Documentary Series Last Call
In 2023, Charlize Theron reprised her role as Cipher in Fast X and executive produced the HBO documentary series Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York.
2023: Starred in Fast X
In 2023, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film "Fast X".
June 2024: Replacement as the face of J'Adore by Christian Dior
In June 2024, Dior announced that Charlize Theron would no longer be the face of J'Adore and would be replaced by Rihanna.
2024: Cast in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
In 2024, Charlize Theron was cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic film The Odyssey (2026).
2026: Role in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
In 2026, Charlize Theron is expected to star in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic film The Odyssey.
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