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 prestigious accolades including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her acting prowess. Theron's influence extends beyond the screen, as she was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2016, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in entertainment and popular culture.
1989: Plays a spy in Atomic Blonde
In 2017, Charlize Theron played a spy on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 in Atomic Blonde, an adaptation of the graphic novel The Coldest City, directed by David Leitch.
2004: Became the spokeswoman for J'Adore advertisements by Christian Dior
Having signed a deal with John Galliano in 2004, Charlize Theron replaced Estonian model Tiiu Kuik as the spokeswoman in the J'Adore advertisements by Christian Dior.
October 2005: Theron earned US$3 million for the use of her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign 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.
December 2006: Theron earned US$3 million for the use of her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign 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.
2007: Creation of The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP)
In 2007, The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) was created by Theron, in an effort to support African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
November 2008: Lawsuit against Weil was settled
On November 4, 2008, the lawsuit filed against Charlize Theron and her production company by Raymond Weil was settled.
2008: Named a United Nations Messenger of Peace
In 2008, Charlize Theron was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace by Ban Ki-moon for her dedication to improving the lives of women and children in South Africa and preventing violence against women and girls.
December 2009: CTAOP partnered with Toms Shoes to create a limited edition unisex shoe
In December 2009, CTAOP and Toms Shoes partnered to create a limited edition unisex shoe made from vegan materials and inspired by the African baobab tree. 10,000 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 Ridley Scott's "Prometheus." Both films were box office successes, grossing around US$400 million internationally.
March 2014: CTAOP benefited from the 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. Theron was an honored guest along with Halle Berry and keynote speaker James Cameron.
2014: Recorded a public service announcement for the 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: Signed an open letter for One Campaign
In September 2015, Charlize Theron signed an open letter which One Campaign had been collecting signatures for, addressed to Angela Merkel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urging them to focus on women as they serve as the head of the G7 in Germany and the AU in South Africa respectively.
2015: Roles in Dark Places and Mad Max: Fury Road
In 2015, Charlize Theron starred in the film adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel, "Dark Places," and played Imperator Furiosa in "Mad Max: Fury Road," which received widespread critical acclaim. "Mad Max: Fury Road" 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; named in Time 100
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, she was 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 they had filmed while they were still in a relationship.
August 2017: Visited South Africa with Trevor Noah and made a 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: Raised more than $6.3 million for CTAOP
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 as the cyberterrorist Cipher in "The Fate of the Furious" 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 well-received.
2018: Gave a speech about AIDS prevention at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam
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: Joined Breitling as a 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: Roles in Tully and Gringo; produced 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: Roles in Long Shot and Bombshell; Nominated for Awards; Ranked among highest-paid actresses
In 2019, Charlize Theron produced and starred in "Long Shot" and "Bombshell." For her work in "Bombshell," she was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress. Forbes ranked her as the ninth highest-paid actress in the world, with an annual income of $23 million.
May 2020: Release of The Old Guard was delayed
In May 2020, the release of "The Old Guard" was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: 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, an initiative to encourage women to be assertive by documenting their journey, challenges, and accomplishments.
June 2021: Role as Cipher in F9
In June 2021, Charlize Theron reprised her role as Cipher in F9, after its release was delayed from May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: Roles 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 made a cameo in "The Boys."
2023: Role in Fast X and executive produced 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 about a serial killer preying on gay men.
June 2024: Dior replaced Theron as the face of J'Adore with Rihanna
In June 2024, Dior announced that Charlize Theron would no longer be the face of J'Adore, replaced by Rihanna.
2024: Cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey
In 2024, Charlize Theron was cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic film The Odyssey, scheduled to be released in 2026.
2026: Cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey
In 2024, Charlize Theron was cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic film The Odyssey, scheduled to be released in 2026.
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