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Christian Bale Biography

Birth Name:
Christian Charles Philip Bale
Birth Place:
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • At age 10 in 1984, made his London stage debut as Thor in The Nerd with Rowan Atkinson
  • Born in Wales, he split his childhood between London, California and Portugal
  • For his 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 his weight to 120
  • Used an American accent while promoting the films in the Batman Begins trilogy
  • Active in Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund

Awards

  • 2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2019Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2019BAFTA Film Awards-Best Leading Actor: nominated
  • 2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: winner
  • 2018Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2018Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2018Critics' Choice Awards-Best Actor: winner
  • 2016BAFTA Film Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2015Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2014Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor in a Comedy: nominated
  • 2014Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014BAFTA Film Awards-Best Leading Actor: nominated
  • 2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2013Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2013Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor in an Action Movie: nominated
  • 2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2011BAFTA Film Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2011Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2010London Film Critics Association-Best British Actor: nominated
  • 2010Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2010Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2010Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2010National Board of Review-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2010National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actor (Runner-up): winner
  • 2010Austin Film Critics-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2009Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2009People's Choice Awards-Favorite Superhero: winner
  • 2009People's Choice Awards-Favorite On Screen Match Up: winner
  • 2008Independent Spirit Awards-Robert Altman Award: winner
  • 2007San Diego Film Critics Association-Body of Work: winner
  • 2007Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006London Film Critics Association-Best British Actor: nominated
  • 2005London Film Critics Association-Best British Actor: nominated
  • 1987National Board of Review-Outstanding Juvenile Performance: winner

Relationships