Charlize Theron is known as a bonafide action star in the industry thanks to films like The Old Guard, Atomic Blonde, Mad Max: Fury Road, and more. It’s a title few women hold but the Oscar-winning actress has carved out a space for herself in Hollywood. Also, she has amassed an impressive amount of wealth in the process.

As per Celebrity Net Worth, Theron has a net worth of $170 million. But the actress didn’t have an easy start to her acting career. In fact, she was flat-out broke and begging a bank teller to process her last paycheck when the universe smiled upon her.

Charlize Theron Was Discovered While She Was Yelling In A Bank

Charlize Theron in Monster

In an interview with Oprah, Charlize Theron revealed how she was discovered by a famous Hollywood agent. Her story is wild and yet it’s definitely a part of the rags-to-riches stories we have heard. As per Theron:
“I was trying to cash my last check from a modeling job in New York, but because it was an out-of-state check, the bank wouldn’t accept it—and I really needed the money. So I began pleading with this teller to help me.” 

Charlize Theron

When she was in the middle of this argument or pleading, John Crosby, who had represented stars like Rene Russo and John Hurt, came over to help her. He then gave her his card afterward. Due to this Theron found herself with a manager and the possibility of a great career.

The Mad Max: Fury Road star also said that when she arrived in Hollywood she didn’t have anything but $400 and one suitcase. The then aspiring actress worked as a waitress and after a lot of hard work, she got the film, Children of the Corn III. It’s undoubtedly true that she has come a long way since then.

Why Is Charlize Theron So Successful In Hollywood?

Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road

Harpers Bazaar did a report on Charlize Theron and analyzed what made her such a successful star in the industry. As per the site, Theron’s meteoric rise is because of her gravitas and passion. After all, it made her take up unconventional non-glamourous roles in films like Monster. The outlet wrote:

“There’s a certain gravitas Theron brings to her roles, which are often physical and frequently transformational. In 2004, she won an Oscar for her chilling portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Patty Jenkins’s Monster, a film she also produced. Theron shaved her eyebrows and gained weight to play Wuornos, signaling to the Hollywood machine, which happily would have continued to cast her as the blond bombshell, that she wasn’t going to go that route.”

Uma Thurman

Harpers Bazaar also denoted her success to her foresight. Not only did she branch out regarding the roles she played, but also regarding the responsibilities she took up behind the camera. As in, Theron became a producer to wield more power. The site said:

“Theron has built up a reputation as a dogged producer, with more than 20 credits to her name, including Mindhunter… She also helped save Bombshell, the $35 million 2019 film about the Fox news anchors who brought down Roger Ailes, in which she played Megyn Kelly after its key backer pulled out at the last minute.”

Uma Thurman, who starred with Charlize Theron in The Old Guard 2 described her best- “She’s not just a great actress but a great leader.” But Theron’s career isn’t over yet. She will climb new heights in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Clea opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange.