Hayden Christensen’s biography reveals the success story of an actor who captured the hearts of millions as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars series. Born on April 19, 1981, in Vancouver, Canada, Christensen’s rise from television roles in Canada to international fame offers a captivating look at his professional evolution. His breakout role in Life as a House earned him critical acclaim and set the stage for his future success. Known for his compelling performances, Christensen has become a prominent figure in Hollywood.
Biography Summary
Born on April 19, 1981, Hayden Christensen is a Canadian actor who gained international fame as Anakin Skywalker, later known as Darth Vader, in the Star Wars media franchise. His breakthrough came with his performance in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in 2002 and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005. He recently returned to the character in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2022 and Ahsoka in 2023.
Christensen’s acting career began at the young age of 13 on Canadian television, and by the late 1990s, he had expanded into the American TV scene. His early roles included significant parts in Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides in 1999 and continued with performances in Life as a House in 2001 and Shattered Glass in 2003. In Life as a House, his portrayal of Sam garnered widespread acclaim, as did his role as journalist Stephen Glass in Shattered Glass.
Throughout his career, Christensen has been recognized with several award nominations, including a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He also received the Trophée Chopard at the Cannes Film Festival. His other notable works include roles in Awake in 2007, Jumper in 2008, Takers in 2010, and Little Italy in 2018. His performances have consistently drawn positive reviews, securing his place as a prominent figure in contemporary cinema.
Early Life
Hayden Christensen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the son of Alie, an American speechwriter, and David Christensen, a Canadian computer programmer and communications executive. With a Danish, Swedish, and Italian heritage, Christensen grew up in a family where creativity was in the air. He is the second youngest of four children, all of whom pursue acting. His siblings include his older brother Tove, older sister Hejsa, and younger sister Kaylen.
During his childhood, Christensen enjoyed summers on Long Island with his maternal grandmother, Rose Schwartz. He attended Unionville High School in Markham, Ontario, where he excelled academically and shone as an athlete, playing hockey at a competitive level and tennis provincially.
Christensen’s artistic journey began in earnest during high school when he enrolled in the Arts York drama program at Unionville High School. His first steps into acting were somewhat serendipitous; he began appearing in commercials, including one for Triaminic cough syrup, after a visit to his sister’s agent following her success in a Pringles commercial.1 This early exposure to the acting world set the stage for his later pursuits at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York City, where he further honed his craft.
Career
1993–2005: Early Career
Hayden Christensen began his acting career in September 1993 at 12, marking his debut with a supporting role in the German-Canadian television series Macht Der Leidenschaft/Family Passions. His early forays into acting continued the following year with a minor role in John Carpenter’s In the Mouth of Madness. From 1995 to 1999, Christensen appeared in various films and television series, including Harrison Bergeron, Forever Knight, Goosebumps, The Virgin Suicides, and Are You Afraid of the Dark?.
In 2000, he gained wider attention starring in the Fox Family Channel’s television series Higher Ground, where he played a teen who turns to drugs after being molested by his stepmother.2 This role marked a significant point in his career, showcasing his ability to handle complex and challenging roles.
Christensen’s performance in Life as a House in 2001 was a success, earning him nominations for a Golden Globe and a SAG Award, along with the National Board of Review’s Breakthrough Performance of the Year award. Despite the accolades, this role did not capture widespread public attention. He continued to build his theatre credentials with his London stage debut in 2002 alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Paquin in This Is Our Youth.
His portrayal in the 2003 film Shattered Glass was particularly well-received; the film is based on the true story of journalist Stephen Glass, who fabricated stories for The New Republic and other publications. Critic Peter Travers of Rolling Stone praised Christensen’s performance, noting his ability to capture the character’s charm and deceit.
In 2005, Christensen made his Broadway debut in a 10-minute play, further diversifying his acting portfolio. That same year, he participated in the fifth annual “24 Hour Plays” benefit, which raises funds for nonprofit groups in New York City, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the arts and charitable causes.
Star Wars
In a career-defining move, Hayden Christensen was cast as the adult Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). The role, pivotal in the Star Wars saga, marks Anakin Skywalker’s tragic transition into Darth Vader. Christensen was announced for the role on May 12, 2000, taking over from Jake Lloyd, who played the child version of Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) after an extensive search that included around 1,500 candidates, director George Lucas chose Christensen, citing his ability to embody the character’s looming descent into the dark side.
During the Revenge of the Sith filming, Christensen wanted to wear a custom-fitted Vader suit rather than using one of the costumes originally worn by actor David Prowse. Lucas agreed, resulting in a suit tailored to Christensen’s physique, with height adjustments to match Vader’s imposing stature of 6 ft 6 in. Although Christensen physically portrayed Vader, the iconic voice was provided by James Earl Jones, who reprised his role from the original trilogy.
A long time ago, in a country not so far away, I was eight years old, doing my best Darth Vader imitation.
Hayden Christensen
In a move that stirred considerable debate among fans, Christensen was digitally added to the 2004 DVD release of Return of the Jedi, replacing Sebastian Shaw as the force ghost of the redeemed Anakin Skywalker. Lucas’s decision aimed to reflect Anakin’s original persona before his turn to the dark side. Christensen stated that this alteration was made without prior knowledge, later confirmed by Lucasfilm in the featurette “Return of the Jedi: What has changed?”
Christensen’s portrayals in both Episode II and III received mixed reviews, primarily due to the films’ directing and dialogue. However, his performance has been viewed more favorably in hindsight.3 Christensen’s role in the Star Wars series brought him significant recognition and accolades. He appeared in People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People and Teen People‘s 25 Hottest Stars under 25. His role in Episode III also earned him the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
2006-2018: Evolving Roles
From 2006 to 2018, Hayden Christensen took on various varied and challenging roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor. In 2006, he starred alongside Jessica Alba in Awake, a thriller about a man who experiences anesthesia awareness during heart surgery. He also appeared in Factory Girl, opposite Sienna Miller and Guy Pearce, which delves into the life of a 1960s icon.
In 2008, Christensen starred in Jumper alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Rachel Bilson. The film explores the adventures of a young man with the ability to teleport. Released on February 14, 2008, he reunited with Bilson in another segment of the anthology film New York, I Love You. That same year, he featured in Virgin Territory with Mischa Barton, a direct-to-DVD release in North America that retells stories from The Decameron against the backdrop of the Black Plague in Italy.
Christensen’s career continued with the 2009 horror film Vanishing on 7th Street, directed by Brad Anderson and co-starring Thandiwe Newton and John Leguizamo. In 2010, he appeared in the crime drama Takers alongside Idris Elba and Paul Walker. That same year marked a significant off-screen venture as Christensen filed a lawsuit against USA Network, alleging that they had appropriated his idea for the TV show Royal Pains.
For me, when I’m making a movie I like to stay in character throughout the day.
Hayden Christensen
Initially dismissed in 2011, the lawsuit was revived in June 2012 when the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal, allowing the case to proceed.
In a notable development at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2013, Christensen announced the formation of Glacier Films in partnership with his brother Tove. The company planned to produce 11 micro-budget films over three years, costing around $1.5 million. Their first project, American Heist, featured Christensen alongside Adrien Brody and Jordana Brewster and commenced filming in June 2013. He continued to explore diverse roles with his 2014 appearance in the action drama Outcast, starring Nicolas Cage.
Christensen’s subsequent roles included the 2015 film 90 Minutes in Heaven, based on a best-selling novel and co-starring Kate Bosworth. He was also slated to star in Untöt, a World War II-themed horror film about Nazi zombies. In 2017, he appeared in First Kill with Bruce Willis, and in 2018, he starred in the Canadian-American romantic comedy Little Italy with Emma Roberts and appeared in The Last Man.
2019–present: Reviving Anakin Skywalker
From 2019 to the present, Hayden Christensen has continued to embrace his iconic role within the Star Wars universe. In 2019, he made a voice cameo as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This return included a special feature in the final season of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where Christensen’s voice, reused from archival audio of Revenge of the Sith, appeared in the episode “Shattered.”
On October 22, 2021, it was announced that Christensen would reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker for the Disney+ series Ahsoka. His journey with the Star Wars franchise continued into 2022 when he portrayed Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Disney+ limited series Obi-Wan Kenobi. This role was praised greatly, highlighting a significant evolution from his performances in the earlier films. Additionally, he was featured in the documentary special Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return, which premiered on September 8, 2022, during Disney+ Day.
In 2023, Christensen’s involvement in Ahsoka expanded, and he appeared in four episodes. For these appearances, he was digitally de-aged and seen in outfits reminiscent of his character’s earlier appearances in Revenge of the Sith and the early series of The Clone Wars. Critics responded favorably to these performances.
Alongside his on-screen endeavors, Christensen has regularly participated in Star Wars Celebration events since 2017, engaging with fans and celebrating the franchise’s enduring legacy.
Personal Life
Hayden Christensen’s personal life has been as eventful as his professional career. In 2007, he began a relationship with actress Rachel Bilson, whom he met on the set of Jumper. The couple got engaged on Christmas Day in 2008. After a brief separation in mid-2010, they reconciled a few months later and welcomed their daughter on October 29, 2014. However, their relationship ended in September 2017.4
In the same year he started dating Bilson, Christensen purchased a farm near Uxbridge, Ontario. Over the years, he has invested considerable effort into renovating the property and immersing himself in the nuances of agricultural life, including livestock, crops, and machinery. His connection to farming also inspired a creative venture in November 2013, when he collaborated with the Canadian fashion chain RW&Co to launch a men’s clothing line influenced by his rural lifestyle.
Beyond his activities in film and farming, Christensen is a devoted fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. His other endorsements and public engagements reflect a man of diverse interests and passions. In 2008, he supported the Teens for Jeans Campaign with a public service announcement for Do Something. He has also been involved in fashion, modeling for Louis Vuitton and representing Lacoste’s fragrance, Lacoste Challenge. Additionally, Christensen participated in RED’s Lazarus Effect Campaign to raise awareness and combat AIDS in Africa.
Awards
- 2001: Young Hollywood Award, One to Watch – Male, Life as a House
- 2001: National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor
- 2002: Cannes Film Festival, Male Revelation, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
- 2002: Golden Raspberry Awards, Worst Supporting Actor
- 2003: Las Palmas Film Festival, Best Actor (shared with Peter Sarsgaard), Shattered Glass
- 2005: ShoWest, Male Star of Tomorrow, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
- 2005: MTV Movie Awards, Best Villain
- 2005: Golden Raspberry Awards, Worst Supporting Actor
- 2022: Saturn Awards, Best Guest-Starring Performance in a Streaming Television Series, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Final Reflections
Hayden Christensen’s biography highlights his remarkable success story in the entertainment industry. From his early roles to his iconic performance in Star Wars, Christensen has left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide and remains an admired actor.
Reference List for Hayden Christensen’s Biography
- Goldman, Andrew. “Space Boy.” The New York Times, 10 Mar. 2002. ↩︎
- “Hello Magazine Filmography — Hayden Christensen.” Hello Magazine. Retrieved 1 July 2008. ↩︎
- Dockterman, Eliana. “It’s Time to Forgive Hayden Christensen for the Star Wars Prequels.” Time, 20 May 2022. ↩︎
- US Weekly Staff. “Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen Split.” Us Weekly, 19 Sept. 2017, usmagazine.com. ↩︎
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