Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Christian Bale
How Christian Bale built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Christian Bale is a highly acclaimed English and American actor renowned for his adaptability and commitment to roles, often undergoing significant physical transformations. A leading man across diverse film genres, Bale's talent has garnered him prestigious awards, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. His success and popularity have also led to recognition as one of the highest-paid actors in the industry, as noted by Forbes in 2014.
1966: Mention of the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race
The 2019 film "Ford v Ferrari", in which Christian Bale starred, depicts the events surrounding the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
1984: Performance in The Nerd
In 1984, Christian Bale performed opposite Rowan Atkinson in the play The Nerd in the West End.
1986: Minor role in Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna
In 1986, Christian Bale secured a minor role in the television film Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna.
1987: Starring role in Empire of the Sun
In 1987, Christian Bale was chosen from over 4,000 actors to portray a British boy in Steven Spielberg's film Empire of the Sun. Earlier that year, he starred in Mio in the Land of Faraway.
1989: Appearance in Henry V
In 1989, actor and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh persuaded Christian Bale to appear in his film Henry V, which drew him back into acting.
1992: Starring role in Newsies
In 1992, Christian Bale starred in the Disney musical film Newsies, which was unsuccessful both at the box office and with critics.
1993: Appearance in Swing Kids
In 1993, Christian Bale appeared in Swing Kids, a film about teenagers who secretly listen to forbidden jazz during the rise of Nazi Germany.
1994: Release of "Little Women"
In 1994, "Little Women" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
1995: Release of "Pocahontas"
In 1995, "Pocahontas" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-grossing films, according to The Numbers.
1996: Role in The Portrait of a Lady
In 1996, Christian Bale played a small part in the film The Portrait of a Lady, based on the Henry James novel of the same name.
1998: Appearance in Velvet Goldmine
In 1998, Christian Bale appeared in the musical film Velvet Goldmine, set in the 1970s during the glam rock era.
1999: Role in A Midsummer Night's Dream
In 1999, Christian Bale was part of an ensemble cast in A Midsummer Night's Dream, a film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play of the same name.
April 2000: Release of American Psycho
In April 2000, the film American Psycho, starring Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, was released, becoming a commercial and critical success and establishing Bale as a leading man.
2000: Portrayal of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
In 2000, Christian Bale gained wider recognition for his portrayal of serial killer Patrick Bateman in the black comedy American Psycho.
2002: Roles in Laurel Canyon, Reign of Fire and Equilibrium
In 2002, Christian Bale appeared in three films: Laurel Canyon, Reign of Fire and Equilibrium.
October 2004: Release of The Machinist
In October 2004, The Machinist, starring Christian Bale, was released; it performed poorly at the box office.
2004: Title Role in The Machinist
In 2004, Christian Bale gained wider recognition for playing the title role in the thriller The Machinist.
June 2005: Release of Batman Begins
In June 2005, Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale as Batman, was released in the US.
December 2005: Release of The New World
In December 2005, The New World, a historical drama film inspired by the stories of Pocahontas and starring Christian Bale, was released.
2005: Batman Begins Release
In 2005, Christian Bale played superhero Batman in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, which began with Batman Begins.
2005: Releases of "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Batman Begins"
In 2005, Howl's Moving Castle and Batman Begins were released. Howl's Moving Castle became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes and Batman Begins became one of his highest grossing movies according to The Numbers.
2006: Starring Role in The Prestige
In 2006, Christian Bale had a starring role in Christopher Nolan's period drama The Prestige.
2006: Reunion with Nolan in "The Prestige"
In 2006, Christian Bale reunited with director Nolan for the film "The Prestige", based on the novel by Christopher Priest. Bale and Hugh Jackman played the roles of two Victorian era magicians in a rivalry.
2007: Starring in "Rescue Dawn"
In 2007, Christian Bale starred in "Rescue Dawn", a film directed by Werner Herzog.
2007: Roles in "I'm Not There" and "3:10 to Yuma"
In 2007, Christian Bale starred in the drama films "I'm Not There", where he played two versions of Bob Dylan, and "3:10 to Yuma", where he portrayed a justice-seeking cattleman.
2007: Releases of "Rescue Dawn" and "3:10 to Yuma"
In 2007, both "Rescue Dawn" and "3:10 to Yuma" were released and became some of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
February 2008: Cast as John Connor in "Terminator Salvation"
In February 2008, Warner Bros. announced that Christian Bale would star as John Connor in "Terminator Salvation".
July 2008: Release of "The Dark Knight"
In July 2008, Christian Bale reprised his role as Batman in "The Dark Knight", the sequel to "Batman Begins". The film received significant acclaim and grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
2008: Release of "The Dark Knight"
In 2008, "The Dark Knight" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
May 2009: Release of "Terminator Salvation"
In May 2009, "Terminator Salvation", starring Christian Bale, was released to tepid reviews.
July 2009: Release of "Public Enemies"
In July 2009, Christian Bale starred as FBI agent Melvin Purvis in Michael Mann's crime drama "Public Enemies", which was released to critical praise and commercial success.
2009: Release of "Terminator Salvation"
In 2009, "Terminator Salvation" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-grossing films, according to The Numbers.
2009: Roles in Terminator Salvation and Public Enemies
In 2009, Christian Bale had starring roles in the action film Terminator Salvation and the crime drama Public Enemies.
2010: Release of "The Fighter"
In 2010, "The Fighter" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2010: Academy Award and Golden Globe Win for The Fighter
In 2010, Christian Bale won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Dicky Eklund in David O. Russell's biographical film The Fighter.
December 2011: Attempt to visit Chen Guangcheng
In December 2011, while promoting The Flowers of War, Christian Bale, accompanied by a CNN crew, tried to visit Chen Guangcheng, a blind lawyer under confinement, in eastern China. They were forced to retreat after a scuffle with guards at a checkpoint.
2011: Starring in "The Flowers of War"
In 2011, Christian Bale starred in Zhang Yimou's historical drama film "The Flowers of War", which became the highest-grossing Chinese film of the year.
July 2012: Release of "The Dark Knight Rises"
In July 2012, Christian Bale reprised his role as Batman in "The Dark Knight Rises", which was released and went on to gross over $1 billion worldwide. Following the shooting at a midnight showing of the film in Aurora, Colorado, Bale and his wife visited survivors, doctors, and first responders.
2012: Release of "The Dark Knight Rises"
In 2012, "The Dark Knight Rises" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2013: Release of "American Hustle"
In 2013, "American Hustle" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2013: Academy Award Nomination for American Hustle
In 2013, Christian Bale received an Academy Award nomination for his work in David O. Russell's black comedy American Hustle.
2013: Roles in "Out of the Furnace" and "American Hustle"
In 2013, Christian Bale starred in "Out of the Furnace" and "American Hustle". He gained 43 pounds for "American Hustle", and was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his performance.
December 2014: Release of "Exodus: Gods and Kings"
In December 2014, Christian Bale starred as Moses in Ridley Scott's "Exodus: Gods and Kings".
2014: Release of "Exodus: Gods and Kings"
In 2014, "Exodus: Gods and Kings" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-grossing films, according to The Numbers.
2014: Highest-Paid Actors Ranking
In 2014, Forbes magazine ranked Christian Bale as one of the highest-paid actors.
February 2015: Premiere of "Knight of Cups" at Berlin International Film Festival
In February 2015, Christian Bale's film "Knight of Cups" premiered at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival. Bale filmed the project without having learned any dialogue, and the director Terrence Malick only gave him a character description.
2015: Release of "The Big Short"
In 2015, "The Big Short" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2015: Academy Award Nomination for The Big Short
In 2015, Christian Bale received an Academy Award nomination for his work in Adam McKay's biographical satire The Big Short.
2016: Starring in "The Promise"
In 2016, Christian Bale starred in the historical drama "The Promise", set during the Armenian genocide, where he played an American journalist.
2017: Starring in "Hostiles"
In 2017, Christian Bale starred in Scott Cooper's film "Hostiles", where he played a US Army officer.
2018: Academy Award Nomination for "Vice"
In 2018, Christian Bale garnered an Academy Award nomination in the Best Actor category for his work in the movie "Vice".
2018: Portraying Dick Cheney in "Vice"
In 2018, Christian Bale portrayed US Vice President Dick Cheney in the biographical comedy drama "Vice". He gained over 40 pounds for the role and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
2018: Academy Award Nomination for Vice and Golden Globe win
In 2018, Christian Bale received an Academy Award nomination for his work in Adam McKay's biographical satire Vice and won a second Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of politician Dick Cheney in Vice.
2018: Voicing Bagheera in "Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle"
In 2018, Christian Bale voiced Bagheera in the adventure film "Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle".
2019: Release of "Ford v Ferrari"
In 2019, "Ford v Ferrari" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-scoring films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2019: Starring Role in Ford v Ferrari
In 2019, Christian Bale played Ken Miles in the sports drama Ford v Ferrari.
July 2022: Release of Thor: Love and Thunder
In July 2022, Christian Bale played Gorr the God Butcher in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film "Thor: Love and Thunder".
October 2022: Release of Amsterdam
In October 2022, the period film "Amsterdam", in which Christian Bale appeared, was released and received dire reviews.
December 2022: Release of The Pale Blue Eye
In December 2022, "The Pale Blue Eye", adapted from the novel of the same name by Louis Bayard and starring Christian Bale, was released, receiving mixed reviews.
2022: Release of "Thor: Love and Thunder"
In 2022, "Thor: Love and Thunder" was released and became one of Christian Bale's highest-grossing films, according to The Numbers.
2022: Role as Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder
In 2022, Christian Bale played Gorr the God Butcher in the superhero film Thor: Love and Thunder.
2023: Voice Acting in "The Boy and the Heron"
In 2023, Christian Bale voiced a character in the English-language dub of Hayao Miyazaki's animated film "The Boy and the Heron", for the second time working on a Miyazaki film.
2025: Upcoming Role in "The Bride!"
In 2025, Christian Bale is scheduled to play Frankenstein's monster in Maggie Gyllenhaal's fantasy period film "The Bride!".
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