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. Her impressive career is marked by numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Theron's influence extends beyond acting, as acknowledged by Time magazine, which named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.
1989: Role in 'Atomic Blonde' set in 1989
In 2017, Charlize Theron played a spy on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 in Atomic Blonde.
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 had her first speaking role as hitwoman Helga Svelgen in the film "2 Days in the Valley".
1997: Leading role in The Devil's Advocate
In 1997, Charlize Theron played the leading lady in the Hollywood film "The Devil's Advocate".
1998: Leading role 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".
1999: Leading role in The Cider House Rules
In 1999, Charlize Theron played the leading lady in the Hollywood film "The Cider House Rules".
2000: Roles in Reindeer Games, The Yards, The Legend of Bagger Vance, and Men of Honor
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 starred in "Sweet November" and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion".
2003: Starred in Monster
In 2003, Charlize Theron portrayed serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the movie "Monster", receiving high praise for her performance.
2003: Critical acclaim for Monster
In 2003, Charlize Theron received critical acclaim for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the movie "Monster", which led to winning the Silver Bear and the Academy Award for Best Actress.
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. The film was a box office success.
February 2004: Won Academy Award for Best Actress
In February 2004, Charlize Theron won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Monster" at the 76th Academy Awards.
2004: Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award nominations
In 2004, Charlize Theron garnered Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her role as Britt Ekland in the HBO film, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers".
2004: Spokeswoman for J'Adore Advertisements by Christian Dior
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: Image Use for Raymond Weil Watches
From October 2005 to December 2006, Charlize Theron earned US$3 million for the use of her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign for Raymond Weil watches.
2005: Starred in Arrested Development and Æon Flux
In 2005, Charlize Theron played Rita in the TV series Arrested Development and starred in the film Æon Flux. She also won a Spike Video Game Award for her voice-over work in the Aeon Flux video game.
2005: Academy Award Nomination for North Country
In 2005, Charlize Theron received another Academy Award nomination for her role in the drama "North Country".
December 2006: Image Use for Raymond Weil Watches
From October 2005 to December 2006, Charlize Theron earned US$3 million for the use of her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign for Raymond Weil watches.
2006: Highest-Paid Actresses in Hollywood
In 2006, Charlize Theron was listed as one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood by The Hollywood Reporter, earning up to US$10 million for a film.
2007: Creation of CTAOP
In 2007, Charlize Theron created the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) to support African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
2007: Starred in In the Valley of Elah and Sleepwalking
In 2007, Charlize Theron starred in "In the Valley of Elah" and produced and starred in "Sleepwalking".
2008: Produced The Burning Plain
In 2008, Charlize Theron produced "The Burning Plain" through her company Denver and Delilah Productions, in which she also had a starring role.
2008: Starred in The Burning Plain and Hancock
In 2008, Charlize Theron starred in "The Burning Plain" and "Hancock". She was also named the Hasty Pudding Theatricals Woman of the Year and a UN Messenger of Peace.
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. Ban Ki-moon cited her dedication to improving the lives of women and children in South Africa.
May 2009: Support of Same-Sex Marriage
In May 2009, Charlize Theron supported same-sex marriage, attended a march and rally in Fresno, California, and publicly stated that she would not get married until same-sex marriage 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.
June 2011: Statements on Gay Marriage
In a June 2011 interview on Piers Morgan Tonight, Charlize Theron stated that she had a problem with the government's lack of action on making gay marriage legal.
2011: Received Praise for Young Adult
In 2011, Charlize Theron received praise for playing troubled women in Jason Reitman's comedy-drama, "Young Adult".
2011: Starred in Young Adult
In 2011, Charlize Theron returned to the spotlight with the black comedy "Young Adult", receiving critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
2012: Roles in 'Snow White and the Huntsman' and 'Prometheus'
In 2012, Charlize Theron portrayed the Evil Queen Ravenna in 'Snow White and the Huntsman' and a crew member in Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus.' Both films achieved significant box office success, each grossing around US$400 million internationally.
2012: Starred in Prometheus
In 2012, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film, "Prometheus".
March 2014: CTAOP Benefited from 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, where Charlize Theron was an honored guest.
May 2014: Hosting Saturday Night Live
On 10 May 2014, Charlize Theron hosted Saturday Night Live on NBC. Also in 2014, Theron starred in 'A Million Ways to Die in the West'.
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: Signature on One Campaign Open Letter
In September 2015, Charlize Theron signed an open letter which One Campaign had been collecting signatures for, urging Angela Merkel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to focus on women.
2015: Produced Dark Places
In 2015, Charlize Theron produced "Dark Places" through her company Denver and Delilah Productions, in which she also had a starring role.
2015: Starred in Mad Max: Fury Road
In 2015, Charlize Theron starred in the commercially successful action film, "Mad Max: Fury Road".
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 widespread acclaim, and the film made US$378.4 million worldwide.
2016: Roles in 'The Huntsman: Winter's War', 'The Last Face', 'Kubo and the Two Strings' and Time 100 list
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'. In 2016, she was also named in the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.
2016: Starred in The Last Face
In 2016, Charlize Theron starred in Sean Penn's film The Last Face, which was filmed while they were still a couple.
August 2017: Visit to South Africa 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 Raises $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 played Cipher in 'The Fate of the Furious' and a spy in 'Atomic Blonde.' '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 "Atomic Blonde" and "The Fate of the Furious", receiving praise for both roles.
2018: Speech at 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.
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: Received praise for Tully
In 2018, Charlize Theron received praise for playing troubled women in Jason Reitman's comedy-drama, "Tully".
2018: Roles in 'Tully' and 'Gringo' and Producer of 'A Private War'
In 2018, Charlize Theron starred in 'Tully' as an overwhelmed mother and played the president of a pharmaceutical corporation in 'Gringo'. She also produced the biographical war drama film 'A Private War'.
2019: Produced Long Shot
In 2019, Charlize Theron produced "Long Shot" through her company Denver and Delilah Productions, in which she also had a starring role.
2019: Third Academy Award Nomination for Bombshell
In 2019, Charlize Theron received her third Academy Award nomination for portraying Megyn Kelly in the biographical drama "Bombshell".
2019: Starring in 'Long Shot' and 'Bombshell'
In 2019, Charlize Theron starred in and produced the film 'Long Shot' and starred as Megyn Kelly in the drama 'Bombshell.' For her work in 'Bombshell', Theron was nominated for multiple awards. Forbes ranked her as the ninth highest-paid actress in the world, with an annual income of $23 million in 2019.
May 2020: Release of 'The Old Guard' Delayed
Originally set for release on 22 May 2020, 'F9', in which Charlize Theron reprised her role as Cipher, was delayed to June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, she produced and starred in 'The Old Guard'.
2020: Partnership 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.
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', originally set for release on 22 May 2020, before its delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2022: Recipient of Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award
On 22 June 2022, it was announced that Charlize Theron would receive the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award for her commitment to raising awareness of HIV.
2022: Appearances in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness', 'The School for Good and Evil', and 'The Boys'
In 2022, Charlize Theron portrayed 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 Executive Producer of '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'.
2023: Starred in Fast X
In 2023, Charlize Theron starred in the film "Fast X".
June 2024: Dior's announcement of Rihanna replacing Charlize Theron as the face of J'Adore
In June 2024, Dior announced that Rihanna would replace Charlize Theron as the face of J'Adore.
2024: Casting in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'
In 2024, Charlize Theron was cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic film 'The Odyssey', scheduled for release in 2026.
2026: Casting in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'
In 2024, Charlize Theron was cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic film 'The Odyssey', scheduled for release in 2026.
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