Who is Christian Bale? Many call him the best actor of his generation. He has leading man good looks, but isn’t afraid to gain 100 pounds for a role, or even go through the struggle of losing 60 pounds to get into character. The English actor has been in the spotlight since he was 13 years old, when he played the lead role in Steven Spielberg’s coming of age war drama Empire of the Sun. However, despite a rich history in the limelight, Bale remains a very private person. You don't have to weed through Christian Bale quotes and anecdotes or read a long biography to find out more about him. Here are the most interesting facts you may not know about the Academy Award winning actor.
His on-set tirade at a cinematographer for Terminator Salvation in 2009 made headlines. As did his off-set family issues with his sister and mother. If Christian Bale had it his way, the public would know absolutely nothing about his personal life. He loathes movie star media and despises interviews. Even still, he reluctantly accepts that life in the spotlight is part of the game for any actor who wants to make a career in Hollywood.
This list contains a few little known Christian Bale facts and even a bit of Bale trivia. Even if you've read his wiki page, you probably haven't heard all the Christian Bale stories on this list. Enjoy!
21 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Christian Bale,
His Mother Was a Circus Clown
Several of Bale's closest relatives were entertainers in one form or another. His mother was both a circus clown and a dancer, his older sister and uncle were actors, and his grandfather worked as a stunt double in the John Wayne drama Hatari!
He Auditioned for the Role of Jack Dawson in "Titanic"
Christian Bale came very close to getting the role that was ultimately filled by Leonardo DiCaprio. However, producers eventually passed on him because they thought it wouldn't be "fair" to have two British actors portraying two American characters (the other Brit was, of course, Kate Winslet, who played Jack's love interest Rose.)
His First Acting Gig Was for a Fabric Softener Commercial
Bale's first time in front of a camera was for the fabric softener Lenor in 1982. The young actor was only eight years old. He also played a dancing kid in a commercial for Pac-Man cereal in 1983.
He Almost Lost His Role in "American Psycho" to Leonardo DiCaprio
Christian Bale was originally cast by director Mary Harron to play serial killer (or maybe just totally delusional) Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000). However, Bale was dropped for Leonardo DiCaprio, who subsequently decided to star in the film The Beach instead. Bale was then recast and the rest is history.
He Could Have Played Will Turner in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"
Christian was reportedly offered the part of blacksmith Will Turner opposite Johnny Depp in the first Pirates installment. However Bale turned down the role, which ultimately went to Orlando Bloom.
He Sticks with an Accent Through the Press Tour
If he is playing an American character in a movie, Bale will speak with an American accent during press interviews. The native Welshman does this so he doesn't confuse the audience.
He Met His Wife Through Winona Ryder
Christian Bale met his wife Sibi Blazic, a former model and makeup artist, through Winona Ryder. Bale and Ryder appeared in the film Little Women together. The couple met at a BBQ hosted by Ryder in 1994. Blazic was Ryder's personal assistant at the time.
He Was Originally Cast to Play George W. Bush in "W"
The part ultimately went to Josh Brolin, however, Christian Bale was originally supposed to play the 43rd president in Oliver Stone's biopic W. Bale was so involved with the film that he spent months learning Bush's mannerisms. He reportedly dropped out of the picture because of issues with the prosthetics involved with recreating the character.
He Lost 60 Pounds for His Role in The Machinist
The method actor ate only one apple a day in order to transform himself into his guilt-ridden character in The Machinist. In the film, Bale plays a delusional insomniac who can't face the sins of his past.
His Step-Mother Is Feminist Icon Gloria Steinem
Despite years of claiming that she would never marry, feminist and political activist Gloria Steinem married Christian's father David in 2000. She was 66 years old at the time. David Bale was an environmental and animal rights activist. Unfortunately, David died of brain cancer in 2003.