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 highest-paid actresses globally. Her achievements include an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Theron was also acknowledged as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2016, highlighting her significant impact and recognition.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 2005: Charlize Theron earned US$3 million for Raymond Weil advertisement

From October 2005, Charlize Theron earned US$3 million for the use of her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign for Raymond Weil watches.

2008: Named United Nations Messenger of Peace

In 2008, Charlize Theron was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, with Ban Ki-moon citing her dedication to improving the lives of women and children in South Africa and preventing violence against women and girls.

May 2009: Attended Same-Sex Marriage Rally

On 30 May 2009, Charlize Theron attended a march and rally in Fresno, California, to support same-sex marriage, publicly stating she would not marry until it became legal in the United States.

December 2009: CTAOP and Toms Shoes Partnership

In December 2009, CTAOP and Toms Shoes partnered to create a limited edition unisex shoe made from vegan materials. Ten thousand pairs were given to destitute children, and a portion of the proceeds went to CTAOP.

2012: Roles in Snow White and the Huntsman and Prometheus

In 2012, Charlize Theron played the Evil Queen Ravenna in Snow White and the Huntsman and a crew member in Prometheus. Both films were major box office successes, grossing around US$400 million internationally each. Critics had mixed reactions to her roles.

March 2014: Honoured Guest at Fame and Philanthropy Fundraising Event

In March 2014, CTAOP was among the charities that benefited from the annual Fame and Philanthropy fundraising event on the night of the 86th Academy Awards. Charlize Theron was an honoured guest along with Halle Berry and keynote speaker James Cameron.

May 2014: Hosting Saturday Night Live

On 10 May 2014, Charlize Theron hosted Saturday Night Live on NBC, marking a significant appearance in her career.

2014: Public Service Announcement for UN's "Stop Rape Now" Program

In 2014, Charlize Theron recorded a public service announcement as part of the United Nations' "Stop Rape Now" program, furthering her advocacy work.

2015: Roles in Dark Places and Mad Max: Fury Road

In 2015, Charlize Theron starred in the film adaptation of Dark Places and as Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. Mad Max received critical acclaim, especially for Theron's performance, and grossed US$378.4 million worldwide.

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 as Queen Ravenna 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. Additionally, Time named her in the Time 100 list of most influential people.

2016: Starred in The Last Face

In 2016, Charlize Theron starred in Sean Penn's film The Last Face, which they filmed while still a couple.

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August 2017: Visited South Africa with Trevor Noah and Donated 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, supporting her ongoing philanthropic efforts.

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 in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

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 played a spy in Atomic Blonde. The Fate of the Furious had a worldwide gross of US$1.2 billion, and Atomic Blonde was praised as a vehicle for Theron's action star persona.

2018: Speech about AIDS Prevention at the 22nd International AIDS Conference

In 2018, Charlize Theron gave a speech about AIDS prevention at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, organized by the International AIDS Society, demonstrating her continued commitment to raising awareness and fighting the disease.

2018: Brand Ambassador for Breitling

In 2018, Charlize Theron joined Brad Pitt, Daniel Wu and Adam Driver as brand ambassadors for Breitling, dubbed the Breitling Cinema Squad.

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. Tully was acclaimed by critics for its portrayal of modern parenthood.

2019: Roles in Long Shot and Bombshell

In 2019, Charlize Theron produced and starred in Long Shot as a U.S. Secretary of State and played Megyn Kelly in Bombshell. For Bombshell, she received multiple award nominations including an Academy Award and Golden Globe. Forbes ranked her as the ninth highest-paid actress with an annual income of $23 million.

2020: CTAOP Partners with Parfums Christian Dior for Dior Stands With Women

In 2020, CTAOP partnered with Parfums Christian Dior to create Dior Stands With Women, an initiative to encourage women to be assertive by documenting their journey, challenges, and accomplishments.

June 2022: Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award Recipient

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 at the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS fundraising gala.

2022: Appearances in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, 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 had a cameo in The Boys.

2023: Reprising role as Cipher in Fast X and executive producer in Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York

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.