Javascript is not enabled.

Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.

The Big 5-Oh! Happy Birthday to Christian Bale

BIG 5-OH

Photo illustration of Christian Bale

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Christian Bale

(JANUARY 30) With dozens of movies under his (utility) belt, the British actor has entertained millions in films including The Dark Knight trilogy, American Psycho and The Fighter, for which he won an Academy Award. 

EARLY START: At 13, Bale starred in Empire of the Sun, a 1987 war film directed by Steven Spielberg.

MAJOR TRANSFORMATIONS: Bale lost more than 60 pounds for The Machinist (2004) but put on about 40 for American Hustle and Vice.

OFF-SCREEN ADVENTURES: Bale, who played a race-car driver in Ford v Ferrari, used to love racing motorcycles, but injuries (he says he has “20, 25 screws” in his arm) have kept him away from the sport.

HELPING OTHERS: An advocate for youth in foster care, Bale supports SOS Children’s Villages California. 

NEXT UP: A remake of Bride of Frankenstein.

QUOTABLE: “I like doing things that have nothing to do with film,” he told GQ in 2022. “I find myself very happily not playing dress-up.” —Whitney Matheson


More Milestone Birthdays

Headshot of Monica Seles

50

Monica Seles

DECEMBER 2

Former tennis champion has written young adult novels that involve the sport.

Headshot of Olivia Colman

50

Olivia Colman

JANUARY 30

The Crown actor is in film adaptation of Bob Dylan musical Girl From the North Country.

Headshot of Tyra Banks

50

Tyra Banks

DECEMBER 4

Model, TV host and entrepreneur is founder of an ice cream brand, Smize & Dream.

Headshot of Brad Pitt

60

Brad Pitt

DECEMBER 18

Not just a movie star; sculptures by the actor were shown at a Finland museum in 2022.

Headshot of Nicolas Cage

60

Nicolas Cage

JANUARY 7

Recently starred in action comedy The Retirement Plan but has no plans to retire soon.

Headshot of Jeff Bezos

60

Jeff Bezos

JANUARY 12

The Amazon founder spends time riding horses, exploring caves and dogsledding.

Headshot of Kim Basinger

70

Kim Basinger

DECEMBER 8

The longtime actor has recently appeared in a new role: video game character.

Headshot of Oprah Winfrey

70

Oprah Winfrey

JANUARY 29

Oscar nominee for 1985’s The Color Purple produced the 2023 musical film adaptation.

Headshot of Keith Richards

80

Keith Richards

DECEMBER 18

The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds is the band’s first original album in 18 years.

Credits: Illustration by Sean McCabe. Christian Bale primary photo: Gary Mitchell/GMP Media/Alamy. Clockwise from top: Moviestore Collection Ltd/Alamy; Cinematic/Alamy Stock Photo; Lionsgate/Everett Collection; Maximum Film/Alamy; Murray Close/Getty Images. Seles: Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock; Colman: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney; Banks: Franziska Krug/Getty Images; Pitt: Abaca Press/Alamy; Cage: Jason Koerner/Getty Images; Bezos: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Basinger: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images; Winfrey: Davide Aichino/Getty Images; Richards: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.


AARP The Magazine, AARP, the AARP logo design, Movies for Grownups and TV for Grownups are all registered trademarks of AARP. Entire contents Copyright © 2023-24 by AARP. All rights reserved under the Berne and Pan American copyright conventions. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission prohibited.

Unlock Access to AARP Members Edition

Join AARP to Continue

Already a Member?

of