Imagine you’re among the most celebrated movie stars of your era, boasting an Oscar, millions in the bank, and countless adoring fans, as you celebrate your 40th birthday. You might envision hosting a lavish party to mark four decades of success, or perhaps taking a well-deserved, extended vacation.
Yet, if you’re Charlize Theron, you choose to embark on the most physically demanding and ambitious project of your career: Atomic Blonde.
“I had just turned 40 when I began training, and I think part of me was grateful for the timing,” says Theron, now 44, who undertook intense and relentless martial arts training for the noir-inspired spy film. “It was a formidable challenge that coincided with a new chapter unfolding before me. Proving to myself that I was capable was gratifying, and I viewed the project as a fitting way to welcome this significant new phase. I felt proud of what I accomplished and excited about the future prospects it signified.”
Despite the movie industry’s hiatus due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, Theron hasn’t paused in lining up new projects, including an Atomic Blonde sequel. Her commitment extends to the delayed mercenary thriller The Old Guard and the high-speed car thriller F9 from the Fast & Furious series, along with last year’s Bombshell and Long Shot, demonstrating an extraordinary level of dedication, determination, and resilience.
Indeed, such qualities are essential for Theron, both in her personal pursuits and in her character portrayals, often far removed from her comfort zone. Consider her role as Aileen Wuornos in Monster, where she fully embraced the appearance of the infamous serial killer, delivering a performance that garnered unexpected empathy and an Academy Award.
For Theron, a former model and ballet dancer, mere appearance is insufficient. Confidence, charisma, and evolving style have played their parts, but she emphasizes that attractiveness should never be solely about looks. “Intelligence is as crucial to being attractive as any other aspect of a woman. I’ve always been attracted to women who are motivated and ambitious,” she notes.
“Ambition in men is seen as attractive and inspiring, but in women, it’s often met with suspicion or hostility, deemed unfeminine. I believe we’re gradually changing that perspective,” she adds.
Theron’s upbringing on her parents’ farm near Johannesburg was not without its hardships: Her father was an alcoholic, and at 15, Theron’s mother, Gerda, shot him in self-defense. Though no charges were filed, the incident profoundly affected their lives.
Theron credits her resilience and empathy to her mother, describing her as a remarkable role model. A staunch activist, Theron founded The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project in 2007 to combat HIV and AIDS among African youth. She has also advocated for same-sex marriage, women’s rights, and the eradication of childhood poverty.
In 2012 and 2015, Theron adopted her son, Jackson, and daughter, August, respectively, raising them as a single parent in Los Angeles, determined not to let work commitments separate them for long. Her decision to adopt was influenced by the orphanages she encountered growing up in South Africa.
Theron balances motherhood with maintaining a remarkable career and philanthropic efforts, selecting roles not for fame or financial gain but for the challenge and complexity they offer. She seeks to portray vulnerable, multi-layered women, drawing strength from adversity.
In real life, Theron embodies the strength and confidence she portrays on screen, advocating for self-care and self-improvement as the foundations of true strength.
Charlize Theron continues to captivate as one of Hollywood’s most formidable and admired figures, seamlessly blending her on-screen prowess with her off-screen grace and determination.