Left her native South Africa in 1991, the same year that her mother shot and killed Charlize's father in self-defense
Won a modeling contest in Italy at the age of 16
Studied with the Joffrey Ballet in New York City for eight months
First attracted the attention of talent manager John Crosby with a tirade in a Los Angeles-area bank after a teller refused to cash her out-of-state check
Made her feature-film debut in 2 Days in the Valley (1996), playing a sexy villain who engages in a bruising fight scene with Teri Hatcher
Became the first South African to win an Academy Award for Best Actress when she won for Monster (2003)
Starred with then-real-life boyfriend Stuart Townsend in 2004's Head in the Clouds
Created the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Program in 2007
Shaved her head for her role in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Awards
2021People's Choice Awards-Favorite Movie Actress:nominated
2020People's Choice Awards-Favorite Action Movie Actor:nominated
2020People's Choice Awards-Favorite Movie Actress:nominated
2020BAFTA Film Awards-Best Leading Actress:nominated
2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
2019Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
2019Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:nominated
2019Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:nominated
2019Critics' Choice Awards-Best Actress:nominated
2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
2015AACTA Awards-Best Lead Actress:nominated
2015Critics' Choice Awards-Best Actress:nominated
2012Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical:nominated
2011Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Actress:nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
2006Critics' Choice Awards-Best Actress:nominated
2006BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
2005Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie:nominated
2005Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role:nominated
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:nominated
2005BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
2004Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries:nominated
2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:winner