Christian Bale

Guide Note

Christian Bale is an actor from the United Kingdom who, despite having played many high-profile movie roles, has yet to win any awards. Bale gave his first major film performance at the age of 13 in Steven Spielberg's 1987 film, Empire of the Sun.

Fast Facts

1. Birth name: Christian Charles Philip Bale
2. Born: January 30, 1974 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
3. Height: 6 feet, 2 inches¹
4. Film debut: Empire of the Sun (1987)
5. 13 years old when filming for Empire of the Sun
6. Latest role: Batman, in The Dark Knight (2008)
7. Currently lives in Los Angeles
8. Wife: Sibi Blazic (2000-Present)
9. Daughter: Emmaline Bale, born in 2005
10. Bale was arrested in July 2008 while visiting London for the premiere of The Dark Knight²

Although he was born in Wales, Bale spent his childhood moving around England because his father was enlisted in the Royal Air Force. Bale and his three sisters lived in some 15 small towns throughout the English countryside.³

Bale's 1987 performance in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun garnered so much attention that he considered quitting acting altogether. Kenneth Branagh convinced Bale to continue his career by taking on a small part in his 1989 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V.⁴

Bale often dedicates himself deeply to his movie roles. In preparation for 2004's The Machinist, Bale lost more than 60 pounds, smoked cigarettes and drank whiskey before filming in order to establish a realistically gaunt appearance.⁴

On July 22, 2008, Bale was arrested while visiting London for the UK premiere of The Dark Knight. He was accused of verbally assaulting his mother and sister after his mother reportedly insulted Bale's wife, Sibi Blazic.² Bale was released without being charged with verbal or physical assault.⁵ On July 24, 2008, it was reported that the dispute began after Christian Bale refused his sister Sharon Bale's request for a £100,000 loan.⁶