From child actor in Empire of The Sun to Batman in The Dark Knight Rises, we take a look at the extraordinary career of Christian Bale through the years
1. Christian Bale
Christian Bale was born in Wales in 1974. His father, David Bale, was an entrepreneur and talent manager and his mother Jenny James was a circus performer, so it's no wonder Christian had showbiz in his blood. At the age of 8 he was already doing commercials, notably one for Lenor softener and Pac-Man cereals.
2. Christian Bale at the Empire of the Sun premiere in London
Christian Bale landed the role of Jim 'Jamie' Graham in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun at the tender age of 13!
3. Christian Bale with Ewan McGregor in Velvet Goldmine
Christian Bale played journalist Arthur Stuart in film Velvet Goldmine also starring Scottish actor Ewan McGregor. The pair are snapped here at the screening at the Edinburgh Festival in 1998. Bale was only 24 at the time, but already a household name.
4. Christian Bale with his family
Christian Bale the family man: the actor poses for photographs with his grandmother, mother and auntie. Christian's family have always been very supportive of his career and are often on the red carpet with the star
5. Christian Bale in American Psycho
Bale was already a star by 2000, but his chilling portrait of 80s yuppy Patrick Bateman in American Psycho truly made him an actor to be reckoned with - one of the finest of his generation. The film's popularity and Bale's performance secured the actor many leading roles and blockbusters.
6. Christian Bale with wife Sibi Blažić
Bale tied the knot in 2000, at the age of 26. His wife, Sandra "Sibi" Blažić is a former model, makeup artist and assistant to another famous actor, Winona Ryder. In 2005 the couple welcomed their only daughter, Emmeline.
7. Christian Bale meets the press
Although press-shy, Christian Bale is photographed here at the premiere of I'm Not There in London happily being interviewed. Films such as I'm Not There, The Machinist and the Batman franchise are a classic example of Bale's career: a perfect meeting of intellectual indie films and Hollywood blockbusters.
8. Christian Bale with a beard
Christian Bale likes the clean cut look, but we think he can certainly pull off a beard too...
9. Christian Bale wins an Oscar for The Fighter
In 2011 Bale won Best Supporting Actor at the 83d Academy Awards for his portrayal of Dicky Eklund in The Fighter. The star proudly poses with that year's winners: Best Actress in a Leading Role Natalie Portman for Black Swan, Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo for The Fighter and Best Actor in a Leading Role Colin Firth for The King's Speech.
10. Christian Bale with Anne Hathaway
Bale has a giggle with his The Dark Knight Rises co-star Anne Hathaway. Hathaway plays Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the latest installment of the Batman franchise. Bale, of course, plays the protagonist himself, Bruce Wayne/Batman.
11. Christian Bale as Batman
Christian Bale as Batman in The Dark Knight Rises. The actor has played the superhero three times now, in: Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, out in the UK on July 20th.
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