Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron, born in South Africa, is of Afrikaner descent. She received an education as a ballet dancer and worked as a photo model before moving to the United States to work at the Joffrey Ballet. An injured knee halted her dancing career. In 1994, Charlize's mother bought her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, and she began working with Hollywood agents. She starred in films like The Italian Job. In 2004, she won her first Academy Award, a Best Actress Oscar, for her performance in Monster.