Charlize Theron’s goddess-like good looks are not news to Hollywood. She has been recognized for her striking pale green eyes, full lips, golden lock,s and divine figure for the last decade. Her reputation as an A-list actress, however, is big news ever since she swept up ten awards for Best Actress for her role in 2003’s Monster. Charlize, who also produced the film, played the complex role of Aileen Wuornos, a real-life prostitute who was executed for murdering seven men in Florida. The film manages to be a forceful social commentary and, at the same time, a torrid story of love and revenge.

For Charlize Theron, the making of Monster was an enormous undertaking that she attacked with ferocity and absolute commitment. To play the role of Wuornos--a grisly, drug-addled serial killer--she gained thirty pounds and endured hours of hair and make-up work that altered everything from her skin to her teeth. The physical transformation was nothing short of amazing. Charlize’s model appearance typically landed her small supporting roles as girlfriends and women in distress. Her great looks may have gotten her in the door, but when her beauty was cast aside for this major role, Charlize Theron’s true talent was able to shine through. When given the chance to show off her amazing acting ability, it is no surprise that she took home both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her performance.

Born in South Africa, Charlize Theron was raised on a farm, where she had no exposure to the entertainment industry at all. From a young age, her passion was dance. At the age of 16, she began a brief modeling career in Milan. However, Charlize found the work unfulfilling and quit after a year to pursue a career in dance. Her dream landed her in New York, where she danced for the Joffrey Ballet. Unfortunately, for Charlize (but lucky for Hollywood), a knee injury ended her career. With the help and support of her mother, she moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18. Within two short weeks, talent agent John Crosby (who also discovered Renee Russo) witnessed her throw a fit when a bank teller would not cash an out of state check and insisted that she call him. It did not take much convincing since she was unemployed and broke at the time. Eight months later, Charlize Theron appeared in her first movie, 2 Days In The Valley.

After a small role in 1994’s Children of the Corn, Charlize started landing roles in more mainstream films. Tom Hanks personally cast her in his 1996 film, That Thing You Do. She starred in Devil’s Advocate (1997), alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino and the Academy Award-winning film Cider House Rules (1999). In 2003, she landed a role in the star-studded film, The Italian Job with Mark Wahlberg and Edward Norton among others.

Despite her rising fame, Charlize Theron remains humble and true to her roots, especially the great sacrifices her mother made to get her to Hollywood. Amid Peter Jackson’s thanks to the people of New Zealand at the 2004 Oscars®, Charlize gave a heartfelt thanks to the people of South Africa. She even starred in a public service announcement concerning rape in her home country. When the South African government refused the air the announcement, Charlize fought in court for it to be aired.

At the moment, Charlize Theron lives in L.A. with her beloved dogs. Her next projects include an HBO movie The Life and Death of Peter Sellers with Geoffrey Rush and Head in the Clouds, in which she stars opposite of Penelope Cruz and her current beau, Irish actor Stuart Townsend.

Charlize Theron has proved to Hollywood that she is not just another pretty face.