History of Charlize Theron in Timeline

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 2001: End of relationship with Stephan Jenkins

In October 2001, Charlize Theron ended her three-year relationship with singer Stephan Jenkins. Some of Third Eye Blind's third album, Out of the Vein, explores the emotions Jenkins experienced as a result of their breakup.

2001: Relationship with Stuart Townsend began

In 2001, Charlize Theron began a relationship with Irish actor Stuart Townsend after meeting him on the set of Trapped. The couple lived together in Los Angeles and Ireland.

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.

November 2008: Raymond Weil lawsuit settled

On 4 November 2008, a lawsuit between Charlize Theron and Raymond Weil for breach of contract, filed in February 2006, was settled.

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.

July 2009: Diagnosed with stomach virus

In July 2009, Charlize Theron was diagnosed with a serious stomach virus, thought to be contracted while overseas.

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.

2009: Relationship with Stuart Townsend ended

In 2009, Charlize Theron ended her relationship with Irish actor Stuart Townsend. They had been together since 2001, after meeting on the set of Trapped and living together in Los Angeles and Ireland.

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.

December 2013: Started dating Sean Penn

In December 2013, Charlize Theron began dating American actor Sean Penn.

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.

June 2015: Relationship with Sean Penn ended

In June 2015, Charlize Theron ended her relationship with American actor Sean Penn. There were reports they were engaged, which Theron strongly denied, adding that the relationship had ended before it ever became serious.

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: Therapy due to Apartheid frustration

In 2018, Charlize Theron said that she went to therapy in her thirties because of anger, discovering that it was due to her frustration growing up during South Africa's apartheid, which ended when she was 15.

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.

April 2019: Revealed Daughter Jackson is a Transgender Girl

In April 2019, Charlize Theron revealed that her daughter Jackson, then seven years old, is a transgender girl, emphasizing her support and acceptance of her daughters' identities.

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.

May 2020: Release Date for F9 Originally Set

Originally, F9, in which Charlize Theron reprised her role as Cipher, was set to be released on 22 May 2020. However, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

2020: Presented Cecil B. DeMille Award to Tom Hanks

In 2020, Charlize Theron presented Tom Hanks with his Cecil B. DeMille Award, during which Hanks revealed his mutual admiration for Theron's career since their first meeting.

2020: Presenter for Depeche Mode's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In 2020, Charlize Theron, a longtime fan of the English band Depeche Mode, was the presenter for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

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.

June 2024: Dior announced Charlize Theron will no longer be the face of J'Adore and be replaced by Barbadian singer and businesswoman Rihanna

In June 2024, Dior announced Charlize Theron will no longer be the face of J'Adore and be replaced by Barbadian singer and businesswoman Rihanna.

2024: Cast in Christopher Nolan's Upcoming Epic Film The Odyssey (2026)

In 2024, Charlize Theron was cast in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic film The Odyssey, which is scheduled for release in 2026.

July 2025: Appeared on Call Her Daddy podcast

In July 2025, Charlize Theron appeared on the podcast Call Her Daddy to candidly express her newly discovered love of casual sex, including having sex with a man 23 years her junior.