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Christian Bale

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Editorial Department
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5001
Christian Bale at an event for The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Take a closer look at the various roles Christian Bale has played throughout his acting career.
Play clip1:35
Christian Bale | Career Retrospective
99+ Videos
99+ Photos
Christian Charles Philip Bale was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK on January 30, 1974, to English parents Jennifer "Jenny" (James) and David Bale. His mother was a circus performer and his father, who was born in South Africa, was a commercial pilot. The family lived in different countries throughout Bale's childhood, including England, Portugal, and the United States. Bale acknowledges the constant change was one of the influences on his career choice.

His first acting job was a cereal commercial in 1983; amazingly, the next year, he debuted on the West End stage in "The Nerd". A role in the 1986 NBC mini-series Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986) caught Steven Spielberg's eye, leading to Bale's well-documented role in Empire of the Sun (1987). For the range of emotions he displayed as the star of the war epic, he earned a special award by the National Board of Review for Best Performance by a Juvenile Actor.

Adjusting to fame and his difficulties with attention (he thought about quitting acting early on), Bale appeared in Kenneth Branagh's 1989 adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V (1989) and starred as Jim Hawkins in a TV movie version of Treasure Island (1990). Bale worked consistently through the 1990s, acting and singing in Newsies (1992), Swing Kids (1993), Little Women (1994), The Portrait of a Lady (1996), The Secret Agent (1996), Metroland (1997), Velvet Goldmine (1998), All the Little Animals (1998), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999). Toward the end of the decade, with the rise of the Internet, Bale found himself becoming one of the most popular online celebrities around, though he, with a couple notable exceptions, maintained a private, tabloid-free mystique.

Bale roared into the next decade with a lead role in American Psycho (2000), director Mary Harron's adaptation of the controversial Bret Easton Ellis novel. In the film, Bale played a murderous Wall Street executive obsessed with his own physicality - a trait for which Bale would become a specialist. Subsequently, the 10th Anniversary issue for "Entertainment Weekly" crowned Bale one of the "Top 8 Most Powerful Cult Figures" of the past decade, citing his cult status on the Internet. EW also called Bale one of the "Most Creative People in Entertainment", and "Premiere" lauded him as one of the "Hottest Leading Men Under 30".

Bale was truly on the Hollywood radar at this time, and he turned in a range of performances in the remake Shaft (2000), Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001), the balmy Laurel Canyon (2002), and Reign of Fire (2002), a dragons-and-magic commercial misfire that has its share of defenders.

Two more cult films followed: Equilibrium (2002) and The Machinist (2004), the latter of which gained attention mainly due to Bale's physical transformation - he dropped a reported 60+ pounds for the role of a lathe operator with a secret that causes him to suffer from insomnia for over a year.

Bale's abilities to transform his body and to disappear into a character influenced the decision to cast him in Batman Begins (2005), the first chapter in Christopher Nolan's definitive trilogy that proved a dark-themed narrative could resonate with audiences worldwide. The film also resurrected a character that had been shelved by Warner Bros. after a series of demising returns, capped off by the commercial and critical failure of Batman & Robin (1997). A quiet, personal victory for Bale: he accepted the role after the passing of his father in late 2003, an event that caused him to question whether he would continue performing.

Bale segued into two indie features in the wake of Batman's phenomenal success: The New World (2005) and Harsh Times (2005). He continued working with respected independent directors in 2006's Rescue Dawn (2006), Werner Herzog's feature version of his earlier, Emmy-nominated documentary, Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997). Leading up to the second Batman film, Bale starred in The Prestige (2006), the remake of 3:10 to Yuma (2007), and a reunion with director Todd Haynes in the experimental Bob Dylan biography, I'm Not There (2007).

Anticipation for The Dark Knight (2008) was spun into unexpected heights with the tragic passing of Heath Ledger, whose performance as The Joker became the highlight of the sequel. Bale's graceful statements to the press reminded us of the days of the refined Hollywood star as the second installment exceeded the box-office performance of its predecessor.

Bale's next role was the eyebrow-raising decision to take over the role of John Connor in the Schwarzenegger-less Terminator Salvation (2009), followed by a turn as federal agent Melvin Purvis in Michael Mann's Public Enemies (2009). Both films were hits but not the blockbusters they were expected to be.

For all his acclaim and box-office triumphs, Bale would earn his first Oscar in 2011 in the wake of The Fighter (2010)'s critical and commercial success. Bale earned the Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of Dicky Eklund, brother to and trainer of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg. Bale again showed his ability to reshape his body with another gaunt, skeletal transformation.

Bale then turned to another auteur, Yimou Zhang, for the epic The Flowers of War (2011), in which Bale portrayed a priest trapped in the midst of the Rape of Nanking. Bale earned headlines for his attempt to visit with Chinese civil-rights activist Chen Guangcheng, which was blocked by the Chinese government.

Bale capped his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Dark Knight Rises (2012); in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado tragedy, Bale made a quiet pilgrimage to the state to visit with survivors of the attack that left theatergoers dead and injured. He also starred in the thriller Out of the Furnace (2013) with Crazy Heart (2009) writer/director Scott Cooper, and the drama-comedy American Hustle (2013), reuniting with David O. Russell.

Bale will re-team with The New World (2005) director Terrence Malick for two upcoming projects: Knight of Cups (2015) and an as-yet-untitled drama.

In his personal life, he devotes time to charities including Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Foundation. He lives with his wife, Sibi Blazic, and their two children.
BornJanuary 30, 1974
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJanuary 30, 1974
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5001
  • Unlock contact info on IMDbPro
  • Won 1 Oscar
    • 83 wins & 134 nominations total

Superhero Stars Before They Took Flight

Superhero Stars Before They Took Flight

Check out some of our favorite superhero stars from movies and television, before they suited up.
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Photos

Photos1457

Christian Bale in Out of the Furnace (2013)
Christian Bale in The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
Christian Bale in The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
Christian Bale in American Psycho (2000)
Christian Bale in American Psycho (2000)
Christian Bale in American Psycho (2000)
Christian Bale, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage, and Justin Theroux in American Psycho (2000)
Christian Bale in American Psycho (2000)
Christian Bale and Harry Melling in The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in Amsterdam (2022)
Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in Amsterdam (2022)
Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in Amsterdam (2022)

Known for

Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Cillian Murphy, and Chin Han in The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight
9.0
  • Bruce Wayne
  • Batman
  • 2008
Christian Bale in Batman Begins (2005)
Batman Begins
8.2
  • Bruce Wayne
  • Batman
  • 2005
Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter (2010)
The Fighter
7.8
  • Dicky Eklund
  • 2010
Christian Bale in American Psycho (2000)
American Psycho
7.6
  • Patrick Bateman
  • 2000

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • The Church of Living Dangerously
    • John Lee Bishop
    • In Development
  • Christian Bale in The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
    The Pale Blue Eye
    • Augustus Landor
    • 2022
  • Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in Amsterdam (2022)
    Amsterdam
    • Burt Berendsen
    • 2022
  • Russell Crowe, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, and Tessa Thompson in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
    Thor: Love and Thunder
    • Gorr
    • 2022
  • Christian Bale and Matt Damon in Ford v Ferrari (2019)
    Ford v Ferrari
    • Ken Miles
    • 2019
  • Christian Bale in Vice (2018)
    Vice
    • Dick Cheney
    • 2018
  • Christian Bale and Rohan Chand in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018)
    Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
    • Bagheera (voice)
    • 2018
  • Hostiles (2017)
    Hostiles
    • Capt. Joseph J. Blocker
    • 2017
  • Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac, and Charlotte Le Bon in The Promise (2016)
    The Promise
    • Chris Myers
    • 2016
  • Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling in The Big Short (2015)
    The Big Short
    • Michael Burry
    • 2015
  • Christian Bale in Knight of Cups (2015)
    Knight of Cups
    • Rick
    • 2015
  • Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
    Exodus: Gods and Kings
    • Moses
    • 2014
  • Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, and Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle (2013)
    American Hustle
    • Irving Rosenfeld
    • 2013
  • Christian Bale in Out of the Furnace (2013)
    Out of the Furnace
    • Russell Baze
    • 2013
  • Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Matthew Modine, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
    The Dark Knight Rises
    • Bruce Wayne
    • Batman
    • 2012
  • Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Jia Sun, Bai Xue, Xiting Han, Xinyi Zhang, and Yuemin Li in The Flowers of War (2011)
    The Flowers of War
    • John Miller
    • 2011

Producer

  • The Church of Living Dangerously
    • producer
    • In Development
  • Christian Bale in The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
    The Pale Blue Eye
    • producer
    • 2022
  • Christian Bale, John David Washington, and Margot Robbie in Amsterdam (2022)
    Amsterdam
    • producer (produced by)
    • 2022
  • Christian Bale in Harsh Times (2005)
    Harsh Times
    • executive producer
    • 2005

Editorial Department

  • Terminator Salvation (2009)
    Terminator Salvation
    • assistant editor (uncredited)
    • 2009

Videos173

Why Taylor Swift and Margot Robbie Could Solve an 'Amsterdam'-Style Mystery
Clip 4:04
Why Taylor Swift and Margot Robbie Could Solve an 'Amsterdam'-Style Mystery
'Thor: Love and Thunder' Stars Reveal the Guardian They'd Have a Beer With IRL
Clip 4:07
'Thor: Love and Thunder' Stars Reveal the Guardian They'd Have a Beer With IRL
Christian Bale | Career Retrospective
Clip 1:35
Christian Bale | Career Retrospective
We Are Batman
Clip 2:09
We Are Batman
Everything We Know About 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
Clip 4:14
Everything We Know About 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
Christian Bale on His 'Spunky' First IMDb Credit
Clip 0:59
Christian Bale on His 'Spunky' First IMDb Credit
Christian Bale | IMDb Supercut
Clip 1:31
Christian Bale | IMDb Supercut
Is the New 'Joker' Most Like Jared, Heath, or Jack?
Clip 4:46
Is the New 'Joker' Most Like Jared, Heath, or Jack?
'Vice' Continues Adam McKay's G.W. Bush Parody
Clip 3:44
'Vice' Continues Adam McKay's G.W. Bush Parody
2019 Golden Globes Big Winners
Clip 3:20
2019 Golden Globes Big Winners
'Vice' Stars Shed Light on the Enigma That Is Dick Cheney
Clip 2:49
'Vice' Stars Shed Light on the Enigma That Is Dick Cheney
'The Batman': How Will Director Matt Reeves Reboot the Caped Crusader?
Clip 5:10
'The Batman': How Will Director Matt Reeves Reboot the Caped Crusader?

Personal details

Edit
  • Height
    • 6′ (1.83 m)
  • Born
    • January 30, 1974
    • Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
  • Spouse
    • Sibi BlazicJanuary 29, 2000 - present (2 children)
  • Children
      Joseph Bale
  • Parents
      Jennifer "Jenny" Bale (James)
  • Relatives
      Erin Bale(Sibling)
  • Other works
    Bale was invited to speak at the American Film Institute Tribute to director Steven Spielberg. The gala event aired on A&E in North America on September 7, 1995.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 21 Interviews
    • 34 Articles
    • 5 Pictorials
    • 23 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    If he plays an American character, he will use an American accent in all the interviews related to the film. He says he does this so the audience is not confused.
  • Quotes
    [interview in Spin magazine, March 1996] An actor should never be larger than the film he's in.
  • Trademarks
      Often portrays obsessive and detached or loner characters
  • Salaries
      Amsterdam
      (2022)
      $10,000,000

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