Charlize Theron Through the Years: Her Best Photos

By:

Elisabeth McGowan

August 7, 2025 5:23PM EDT

Charlize Theron Through the Years: Her Best Photos

FilmMagic

Charlize Theron is one of the most famous stars in Hollywood. Celebrate the Oscar winner’s birthday with her best pictures ever, here!

Charlize Theron burst on the scene as a model after winning a competition when she was only 16. After moving to New York from South Africa, she was soon hooked up with a casting agent and made her big screen debut in 1996’s ‘2 Days in the Valley’ where she wowed audiences in an incredible fight scene with Teri Hatcher. The recognition would lead to her breakout role in ‘The Devil’s Advocate,’ starring alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino.

After a string of hits like ‘The Cider house Rules,’ ‘Reindeer Games’ and ‘The Italian Job,’ Charlize would tackle the role of a lifetime: serial killer Aileen Wuornos in ‘Monster.’ Her work would win her a Best Actress Oscar.
More recently, Charlize has been seen in ‘The Fate of the Furious,’ ‘Atomic Blonde’ and ‘Bombshell.’ She has also recently signed on to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Click through the gallery to see Charlize’s best pics throughout the years!

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Charlize Theron’s Best Photos Through The Years

Charlize Theron’s Best Photos Through The Years — Charlize Theron burst on the scene as a model after winning a competition when she was only 16. After moving to New York from South Africa, she was soon hooked up with a casting agent and made her big screen debut in 1996’s ‘2 Days in the Valley’ where she wowed audiences in an incredible fight scene with Teri Hatcher. The recognition would lead to her breakout role in ‘The Devil’s Advocate,’ starring alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino.
After a string of hits like ‘The Cider house Rules,’ ‘Reindeer Games’ and ‘The Italian Job,’ Charlize would tackle the role of a lifetime: serial killer Aileen Wuornos in ‘Monster.’ Her work would win her a Best Actress Oscar.
More recently, Charlize has been seen in ‘The Fate of the Furious,’ ‘Atomic Blonde’ and ‘Bombshell.’ She has also recently signed on to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Click through the gallery to see Charlize’s best pics throughout the years!

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Charlize Theron Attends ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ Premiere

Charlize Theron Attends ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ Premiere — Charlize Theron attends ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ premiere in 1996. She looked fesh-faced and stunning in her simple white shirt.

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Charlize Theron Attends The ‘Celebrity’ Film Premiere

Charlize Theron Attends The ‘Celebrity’ Film Premiere — Charlize Theron at the ‘Celebrity’ film premiere in New York in 1998. Rocking a metallic silver gown, the star was the talk of the town.

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Charlize Theron Stuns At The 1998 Oscars

Charlize Theron Stuns At The 1998 Oscars — Charlize Theron at the Vanity Fair Post Oscar Party in 1998. The actress rocked her short haircut and a fabulous velvet frock for the event.

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Charlize Theron Gets Wild In Animal Print For ‘The Locusts’ Screening

Charlize Theron Gets Wild In Animal Print For ‘The Locusts’ Screening — Charlize Theron showed off her wild side at the premiere of ‘The Locusts’ in LA in 1997. She wore an animal-print skirt and a brown halter top for the Hollywood party.

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Charlize Theron Looks Fabulous At A Photo Shoot

Charlize Theron Looks Fabulous At A Photo Shoot — Charlize Theron poses in 1997 for a photo shoot. With a soft smokey eye and bit of lipstick, she let her natural beauty take center stage.

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Charlize Theron Takes Over The Red Carpet At The Bond Premiere

Charlize Theron Takes Over The Red Carpet At The Bond Premiere — Charlize Theron was the moment at the premiere of ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ in 1997. Fans couldn’t get enough of the starlet’s fabulous look.

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Charlize Theron Attends A Miramax Golden Globe Party

Charlize Theron Attends A Miramax Golden Globe Party — Charlize Theron attends the Miramax Golden Globe Party on January 24, 1999. A simplle black dress was all she needed to be the center of attention.

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Charlize Theron Attends The People’s Choice Awards

Charlize Theron Attends The People’s Choice Awards — Charlize Theron went for a different hair style at the 2000 People’s Choice Awards. She also opted for a strapless number that looked incredible on the former model.

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Charlize Theron At The ‘Reindeer Games’ Premiere

Charlize Theron At The ‘Reindeer Games’ Premiere — Charlize Theron attends the ‘Reindeer Games’ film premiere in 2000. She starred in the fillm alongside Ben Affleck.

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Charlize Theron Is All Smiles At The Cannes Film Festival

Charlize Theron Is All Smiles At The Cannes Film Festival — Charlize Theron is all smiles at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. She sparkled in her gold dress featuring a plethora of sequins.

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Charlize Theron Stuns In A Red Tank Top & Jeans

Charlize Theron Stuns In A Red Tank Top & Jeans — Charlize Theron stuns in a photo from 2003. The actress looked every inch the cover girl as she rocked a red tank top and skinny jeans.

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Charlize Theron Is In Feather Heaven At The Golden Globes

Charlize Theron Is In Feather Heaven At The Golden Globes — Charlize Theron attends the Golden Globes in 2004. She stole the spotlight in her white feather boa and a soft yellow frock.

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Charlize Theron Is a Style Icon At The Golden Globes

Charlize Theron Is a Style Icon At The Golden Globes — Charlize Theron took everyone’s breath away at the 2005 Golden Globes. Her navy strapless number made all the best dressed lists.

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Charlize Theron Is A Fringe Goddess At The SAG Awards

Charlize Theron Is A Fringe Goddess At The SAG Awards — Charlize Theron attends the 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2005. Her dark gown was covered in fringe and gave the star a little pizzazz on the red carpet.

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Charlize Theron Takes Over The Red Carpet At ‘Sleepwalking’ Premiere

Charlize Theron Takes Over The Red Carpet At ‘Sleepwalking’ Premiere — Charlize Theron is giving ‘flapper girl fever’ at the ‘Sleepwalking’ film premiere in 2008. Her style was to die for as she posed for her life on the red carpet.

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Charlize Theron Appears On The ‘Paul O’Grady Show’

Charlize Theron Appears On The ‘Paul O’Grady Show’ — Charlize Theron appears on The ‘Paul O’Grady Show’ in London in 2009. With a black blazer and a polka dot skirt, the Oscar winner showed off her winning style.

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Charlize Theron Speaks At The World Economic Forum

Charlize Theron Speaks At The World Economic Forum — Charlize Theron gives a speech during the Crystal Award Ceremony at the World Economic Forum. The bright blue ensemble featured a plunging neckline and long sleeves.

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Charlize Theron Stuns At The Berlin Film Festival 2013

Charlize Theron Stuns At The Berlin Film Festival 2013 — Charlize Theron arrives at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival in 2013. A stunning strapless gown made it easy for Charlize to stand out in the crowd.

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Charlize Theron Takes The Plunge At The 88th Academy Awards

Charlize Theron Takes The Plunge At The 88th Academy Awards — Charlize Theron arrives at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 88th Academy Awards in 2016. Talk about red hot! The star was a true movie siren in her plunging couture.

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Charlize Theron Attends The ‘Women’s March On Main’

Charlize Theron Attends The ‘Women’s March On Main’ — Charlize Theron participates in the “Women’s March On Main” during the 2017 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. She made sure to keep warm in the blustery temperatures while she marched for equality.

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Charlize Theron Is The Moment At The 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Charlize Theron Is The Moment At The 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards — Charlize Theron arrives at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2019. A black cut out top and a white skirt let the Oscar winner steal the spotlight.

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Charlize Theron Dazzles At The 24th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards

Charlize Theron Dazzles At The 24th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards — Charlize Theron arrives at the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica in 2019. A shimmering silver gown placed Charlize at the top of the class.

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Charlize Theron Is Divine In Purple For The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast

Charlize Theron Is Divine In Purple For The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast — Charlize Theron arrives at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast Gala in 2019. She rocked a lavender suit to make her the toast of the town.

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Charlize Theron Attends The Premiere Of ‘F9: Fast & Furious 9’

Charlize Theron Attends The Premiere Of ‘F9: Fast & Furious 9’ — Charlize Theron arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “F9: Fast & Furious 9” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in 2021. She commanded attention in a red fringe jacket and white top.

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Charlize Theron Arrives At The Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) 2022 Summer Block Party

Charlize Theron Arrives At The Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) 2022 Summer Block Party — Charlize Theron arrives at the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) 2022 Summer Block Party held at Universal Studios Backlot on June 11, 2022. A white shirt and faded denim gave the actress a casual, yet gorgeous look for the event.

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