Happy Birthday Christian Bale! The "Batman" actor turns 38 today and proves that even at pushing forty he remains one of the sexiest and most talented actors of our generation. In honor of the native Welsh actor let's explore this Hollywood hottie's past.
His mother was a circus performer.
Jenny Bale, Christian's mother, was a regular performer in the circus and due to her hectic schedule the family moved around a lot. When asked about his time surrounded by the circus Christian said, "I'd be in a caravan with beautiful women who would walk around naked except for fishnets and peacock headdresses."
Wow! Talk about a unique childhood. We wonder if Christian's upbringing gave him inspiration when he starred in "The Prestige," one of his best films about magicians starring fellow A-lister Hugh Jackman. We're also curious what kind of inspiration his past would have given him if he would have starred in 2011's "Water for Elephants," another movie that revolves around the circus and magic.
Steven Spielberg gave him his start at 13.
When the actor was only a teenager he was picked out of 4,000 hopefuls to be in the 1987 film "Empire of the Sun." Christian was handpicked himself by legendary director Steven Spielberg without any former training, a moment that completely changed Christian's life.
Would Christian have become the A-list actor we know and love today if he hadn't had the encounter with Spielberg? With his talent and good looks, we don't doubt it.
His step-mother was Gloria Steinem.
Environmental activism is a major attribute of the Bale family. Christian himself has been an activist for mountain gorillas in Rwanda and his father, David Bale, was a renowned environmental activist himself.
In 2000 David married famous activist and feminist Gloria Steinem but after only three short years of marriage David died of brain lymphoma. Can you imagine Christian's family at Thanksgiving? We bet that was definitely one interesting dinner table to sit at during the time Gloria was married to Christian's father.
His breakout role was turned down by Leonardo DiCaprio.
In 2000 Christian starred in "American Psycho," a movie based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel about a young Wall Street type who tries to hide his psychopathic ego from his friends and co-workers. Originally Leonardo DiCaprio was cast for the part of Patrick Bateman and director Oliver Stone was interested in the film until the film's budget got out of hand. Many warned Christian about taking the role as the character was an absolute lunatic and could have killed the actor's career.
"[W]hat? I'm going to end up playing Laurie in 'Little Women' for the rest of my life?" he asked when talking about taking the risky role.
Luckily, it was a great risk to take because the film became an instant cult classic and proved that Christian was a true method actor with enormous talent. The film remains one of our top favorites of Christian's performances.
Between memories of the circus and unusual family members Christian is certainly one of the most interesting celebrities in Hollywood. Are you looking forward to "The Dark Knight Rises" coming out this summer?
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