ACTOR · BORN 1974
Christian Bale
- Born
- 30 January 1974, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
- Known for
- The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Batman Begins (2005), The Prestige (2006)
48 archived facts 6 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Christian Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an actor best known for The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises and Batman Begins.
Christian Bale over the years
48 Interesting Facts About Christian Bale
Interesting Facts (3)
- #001
Two of his most famous characters' names have a difference of only one letter: Bateman and Batman.
- #002
Before he played Batman in Batman Begins (2005), his sister Louise Bale played Batman's mother in The Death of Batman (2003).
Christian Bale: Monster, wedding sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · Marlene Landu, CC BY-SA 4.0 - #003
Considered getting formal acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) when he was twenty, but decided to focus on working instead.
Production Story (11)
- #004
James Bond co-producer Barbara Broccoli was prepared to offer Bale the role of James Bond in Casino Royale (2006) if he wanted it but he turned it down because in his opinion the role represented too many stereotypes of British actors and British culture, which he found "despicable", and having already played "a serial killer" in American Psycho (2000), he figured it wouldn't help that perception. Instead, he chose to take the role of Batman for Batman Begins (2005).
- #005
He was considered for the role of Pvt/LCpl Anthony Swofford in Jarhead (2005) that went to Jake Gyllenhaal.
- #006
He was considered for the role of Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) that went to Matt Damon.
- #007
Bale was handpicked by Winona Ryder for the coveted role of Laurie (Theodore Laurence) in Little Women (1994).
- #008
He was originally cast as George W. Bush in W. (2008). He spent months researching for the role, but dropped out after he was not satisfied with the prosthetic makeup tests. Josh Brolin replaced him.
- #009
Turned down the opportunity to reprise the role of Patrick Bateman in the Roger Avary-directed The Rules of Attraction (2002).
- #010
He was considered for the lead role in Robin Hood (2010) that went to Russell Crowe.
- #011
Contrary to popular belief, he didn't audition for the role of Robin/Dick Grayson in Batman Forever (1995). He said, "I'd never have auditioned to be bloody Robin".
- #012
Hand-picked by director/writer Mary Harron and author Bret Easton Ellis to star in American Psycho (2000). Consequently, was noted by the media as the first star of American Psycho (2000), only to lose the role to Leonardo DiCaprio and then win it back again.
- #013
He was first approached for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in 2000 by Darren Aronofsky for a Batman: Year One adaptation that was never made.
- #014
He auditioned for the role of Detective Jake Hoyt in Training Day (2001) that went to Ethan Hawke.
Behind the Scenes (6)
- #015
He trained for 10 weeks in dancing and martial arts for the dance sequences in Newsies (1992) and Swing Kids (1993).
- #016
He gained 43 pounds for his role as Irving Rosenfeld in American Hustle (2013).
- #017
He was involved in an infamous incident where he was recorded verbally assaulting cinematographer Shane Hurlbut on the set of Terminator Salvation (2009) for interrupting him during an intense scene. Bale has since apologized, but the incident was widely heard across the Internet.
- #018
While working on Schindler's List (1993), Steven Spielberg paid a visit to Bale on the set of Swing Kids (1993), as both movies were partially filmed in Prague.
- #019
Dropped an amazing 63 pounds for his role as the emaciated insomniac Trevor Reznik in the film The Machinist (2004) with only a single vitamin consultation with a nutritionist to guide him. For the most part, he only ate salads and apples, chewed gum, smoked cigarettes, and drank nonfat lattes.
- #020
The nameplate on his trailer for Batman Begins (2005) read "Bruce Wayne" as opposed to Bale's name.
Characters & Cast (4)
- #021
In the "Fresh Air with Terry Gross" radio interview first aired June 13, 2005, he admitted to Gross that because Batman is "such an American icon", he had decided not to perform his promotional interviews for the movie Batman Begins (2005) in his natural English accent. Instead he spoke to Gross in an almost inflection-less mid-American accent, only revealing his dialectic roots with a few words.
- #022
Has spoken frequently of his dislike for the Disney film Newsies (1992).
- #023
Has played both Moses and Jesus, two of the most important figures in the Bible and Christianity in general.
- #024
He was going to star in Steve Jobs (2015) with David Fincher directing.
Career & Awards (7)
- #025
In 1984, he made his stage debut in the West End play "The Nerd", opposite Rowan Atkinson.
- #026
Was compared to a young Steve McQueen by Steven Spielberg, while filming Empire of the Sun (1987).
- #027
Is the first non-American actor to portray Batman/Bruce Wayne.
- #028
Has said that he considers it an honor to have been called a "mofo" by Samuel L. Jackson in a movie.
- #029
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#13) (2007).
- #030
Left school at the age of 16.
- #031
He turned down the lead role in Noah (2014) in favour of Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014).
Life & Family (17)
- #032
Was arrested over verbal assault allegations made by his mother and his sister just hours after he attended the European premiere of his movie The Dark Knight (2008) in London. Upon reviewing the case, the London police decided not to charge him with anything.
- #033
He is still an avid motorcyclist he but gave up track racing after getting into multiple accidents and receiving a steel plate for his broken wrist, a titanium clavicle and 25 screws for his hand. At one point he also lost the top of his finger but it was later reattached.
- #034
Visited victims of the 2012 Aurora shooting spree.
- #035
His grandfather doubled for John Wayne in two movies, in Africa.
- #036
Met his wife through Winona Ryder; she was Ryder's personal assistant.
- #037
Applied for U.S. citizenship in 2010 and received it in 2014.
- #038
Has lived in Los Angeles, California since 1992.
- #039
Met Drew Barrymore on the set of Empire of the Sun (1987), who was visiting her godfather, Steven Spielberg. He was thirteen and she was twelve. Bale later revealed that during filming, they went out on only one date, in which they saw "some bloody awful horror film," and she never called again.
- #040
His father, David Bale, married feminist icon Gloria Steinem on September 3, 2000.
- #041
Is an avid fan of video games and cites Super Mario as one of his all-time favorites growing up.
- #042
Became a father for the 1st time at age 31 when his wife Sibi Blazic gave birth to their daughter Emmaline Bale on March 27, 2005.
- #043
Although born in Wales, his family is actually English. In 1976, when Bale was two years old, his family left Wales and returned to England.
- #044
He was raised in England, Portugal and California.
- #045
His father, David Bale, died on December 30, 2003, from brain lymphoma at age 62.
- #046
His grandfather was a stand-up comic and children's entertainer.
- #047
His father was a former commercial pilot and his mother was a former circus dancer.
- #048
One of his favorite movies of all time is Beverly Hills Ninja (1997).
Related pages
- Everest — Christian Bale comes up in the facts on that page
- Reign of Fire — Christian Bale comes up in the facts on that page
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Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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