Christian Bale: 10 Greatest movies of all time

With the likes of The Dark Knight and American Psycho under his belt, what are the top 10 movies of Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale?

The uncooperative and brilliant Christian Charles Philip Bale was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales to English parents, a circus performer mother and a commercial pilot father. Their work and lifestyles made traveling a requirement, so at a very young age, Christian Bale and his three older sisters were exposed to many different cultures. The family lived in Wales, England, the U.S. and Portugal.

Christian Bale’s interest in acting developed early, thanks to them and their adventurous lives. The constant change in living situations, not to mention that he probably accompanied his mother to the circus a few times, piqued his interest in the performing arts. It wasn’t until his sister, Louise, introduced him to acting that he started to pursue it.

At just nine years old he got his start in a fabric softener commercial in 1982 before landing his stage debut in “The Nerd” on London’s West End. This was followed by a role in the NBC mini-series Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna in 1986. His career spiked rather quickly after that, getting his first lead role at just 13 when he caught the eye of director Steven Spielberg and was cast as war survivor Jim in Empire of the Sun.

Always the workaholic, he chose work over school and left his grammar school, Bournemouth, at the age of 16, opting against any professional training in acting. His choice, though a risky one, made him available and as he got an education through experience, he became one of the top young actors in Hollywood. Roles like Newsies (1992), Swing Kids (1993), Little Woman (1994) and Velvet Goldmine (1998) put him in the spotlight, making him a celebrity. Something he has grown to be uncomfortable with.

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He’s extremely anti-social, going out of his way to avoid making tabloid headlines. He’s expressed his dislike for doing interviews and discomfort over being portrayed as a sex symbol by the media. He once told an interviewer with Esquire Magazine that he wants to only act and never be forced to do an interview again.

I totally understand. I can’t even talk to myself in the mirror, let alone a nosy interviewer.

Known for his intense method acting and devoted work ethic, he’s made a reputation of being both brilliant and troublesome, taking a performance more serious than most. As the youngest actor to play Batman, and the record-holder for most weight lost for a role, who pulls out a different accent in almost every film, is a two-time Academy Award nominee and a one-time Academy Award winner, Christian Bale certainly strives to be his absolute best.

With a filmography of more 40 films, here are the top 10.