Charlize Theron Biography

- Theron’s first language is Afrikaans, English is spoken as her second language.

- Theron used hypnotherapy as an aid to quit smoking.

- Theron was named after her father, whose name was Charles.

- Theron gained 30 pounds to play Aileen Wuornos in 'Monster' (2003)

- On the show 'Sunday Morning Shootout' (2003), it was revealed that Theron’s manager discovered her in a Hollywood bank after he witnessed her yelling at a bank teller for refusing to cash her cheque.

- As a teenager in her native South Africa, Theron learned English by watching American TV.

- She is the second African to win an Academy Award. The South African-born cinematographer Ted Moore was the first. South African-born actor Basil Raytheon was the first African born actor to be nominated, followed by Cecil Kellaway.