Charlize Theron is a South African-born American actress, producer, and activist. She is best known for her Academy Award-winning performance in the 2003 film Monster, for which she became the first South African to win an Oscar in a major acting category. She has also starred in many other films, including The Devil's Advocate, The Cider House Rules, Hancock, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Atomic Blonde. Theron is also an outspoken advocate for gender equality and has been involved in numerous charitable causes.