A reluctant movie megastar, this Wales-born actor got his big break at age 13 when he landed the role of a spoiled British boy who comes of age in a World War II internment camp in 1987's
Empire of the Sun. His transformative performance was a harbinger of his chameleonlike work to come. However, Bale temporarily backed off from acting because he was uncomfortable with his newfound fame. In the '90s Bale reemerged with impressive supporting performances in a series of dramatic films (
Little Women,
The Portrait of a Lady), but 2000's
American Psycho was the movie that put him back on the Hollywood map. Bale became a cult heartthrob thanks in part to his disarming smile and newly chiseled physique. The buff actor spent the next few years reinventing himself and his body for every role, losing a shocking amount of weight to play an insomniac in 2004's
The Machinist before bulking back up the next year to take on the title role in the blockbuster
Batman Begins. Despite his A-list status, Bale continues to defy convention by signing on to edgy, independent films and keeping his off-screen life with his wife and child — gasp — private.
Christian Bale Fast Facts:
- At age 10 in 1984, made his London stage debut as Thor in The Nerd opposite Rowan Atkinson.
- Born in Wales, he split his childhood between London, California and Portugal, which may account for his uncanny facility with accents.
- For his incredible performance in 1987's Empire of the Sun, the 13-year-old Bale won Best Performance by a Juvenile Actor from the National Board of Review, an honor created specifically for his work in the film.
- Trained for 10 weeks to sing and dance in the 1992 musical Newsies.
- Became the stepson of Gloria Steinem, one of the pioneers of the feminist movement, when she married his father in 2000.
- Lost more than 60 pounds for 2004's The Machinist, dropping to a super skinny 120 lbs.
- Told the Associated Press that one of the reasons he took the role of Batman in 2005 was to help fund future low-budget projects.
- Christian Bale Relationships:
- David Bale - Father
- Emmeline - Daughter
- Erin Bale - Sister
- Gloria Steinem - Stepmother
- Jane Bale - Mother
- Louise Bale - Sister
- Rex Bale - Great-uncle
- Sharon Bale - Sister
- Sibi Blazic - Wife
- Christian Bale Awards:
- 2009 People's Choice Awards: Favorite On Screen Match Up - Winner
- 2009 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Superhero - Winner
