Charlize Theron was born on August 7, 1975, in Benoni, South Africa. She began her career as a model before transitioning to acting in the mid-1990s. Theron’s breakthrough role came in 1997 with her performance in “The Devil’s Advocate,” which led to roles in films like “Mighty Joe Young” and “The Cider House Rules.” Her role in the 2003 film “Monster,” in which she portrayed serial killer Aileen Wuornos, earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Actress.