Charlize Theron's rise to the top

Actress Charlize Theron has proved her versatility as an actress with her Oscar-winning portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, a role which has amazed critics in the US.



The 28-year-old gained 30lb and donned heavy make-up in order to play the notorious murderess - looking almost unrecognisable as a result.

It's all a far cry from her more mainstream roles in the likes of The Devil's Advocate, Mighty Joe Young and the 2003 remake of The Italian Job.

But it has established her as an actress who is not afraid to mix commercial movies with something a little more challenging - and is all the more remarkable given she has been acting for just five years.

Charlize Theron was born on 7 August 1975 in Benoni, South Africa, and grew up on a farm just outside the city.