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Hayden Christensen
Although his aspirations changed and regardless of not having his father's approval, Hayden set out to become an actor when a chance encounter at the age of eight placed him in his first commercial, for Pringles. When he was thirteen, he began his starring roles in several dramatic television series. His big break came with Fox Family Network's troubled youth series Tierras altas (2000).
Devoted and loyal, the family man currently resides in both Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Los Angeles, California. When not working, Hayden enjoys spending quality time with his family (such as big brother Tove), hanging out with his friends, and exploring other hobbies such as the blues, jazz and piano.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Jessica L. Duke / Peter Brandt Nielsen
Trivia
Has a younger sister named Kaylen Christensen (b. 1984), an older sister named Hejsa Christensen and an older brother named Tove Christensen.
Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002.
Was discovered when his older sister, Hejsa Christensen,
a former trampoline champion, was shopping around for an agent. No one
was home to baby-sit him so he went along and it was suggested that he
get an agent, himself.
One of Teen People Magazine's "25 Hottest Stars under 25" in 2002.
Resides in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
Attended Unionville High School in Markham, Ontario, Canada.
He fractured his hand during the filming of a rather violent scene in La casa de mi vida (2001) in which his character hits a wall.
Grew up playing competitive tennis and hockey.
A digital rendering of Hayden appears in the 2004 DVD version of El retorno del Jedi (1983), as the spirit of Anakin Skywalker. This replaced Sebastian Shaw
as the ghostly image that appears beside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda at the
end of the film. Hayden said in an interview that he had been unaware
of this change.
Graduated from Baythorn Public School in 1995.
Was a "ball boy" at the Canadian Open tennis matches. Jumped out too soon during a match in which John McEnroe was playing, causing an interruption in play.
He, his brother and their friends "kidnap" one another on each of
their birthdays, drive to a location unknown to the birthday-boy and
then spend the day riding dirt-bikes.
Supports Manchester United Football Club.
His Canadian father is of Danish and English ancestry, while his
American mother is half Italian and half Swedish. His Italian maternal
grandmother hails from Brooklyn.
Named one of Teen People Magazine's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25" in 2005.
His favorite scenes to film in Star Wars: Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (2005) were the scenes in which he acted with Ian McDiarmid.
Named one of People Magazine's "50 Hottest Bachelors" in 2005.
Competed with his sister Hejsa Christensen (the captain), brother Tove Christensen and a family friend in Eco-Challenge Fiji Islands
(2003). The Eco-Challenge consists of a 500-kilometer (300 miles) race
that included the tasks of hiking, swimming, kayaking and mountain
biking their way through the Fiji archipelago.
Only 23 out of 81 teams
finished this race. Christensen was one of the youngest competitors in
the race.
One of the youngest competitors in Eco-Challenge Fiji Islands (2003).
Is the only actor to have portrayed Anakin Skywalker and his Sith alter ego, Darth Vader, in the same movie, Star Wars: Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (2005). All other times, Anakin and Vader have been played by different actors.
One of Teen People's "25 Hottest Stars under 25" in 2002 and 2005.
He and Jessica Alba visited Bellevue hospital and spent time with little children, bringing them Christmas cheer while filming Despierto (2007).
Is one of three Star Wars actors who has also appeared in a film directed by a fellow cast member. Frank Oz directed Ian McDiarmid in Un par de seductores (1988) and Terence Stamp in Bowfinger, el pícaro (1999). Hayden appeared in Las vírgenes suicidas (1999), directed by Sofia Coppola.
Is the third actor to play Anakin Skywalker, and is the only who has played the non-Vader Anakin more than once. Sebastian Shaw played the role only in El retorno del Jedi (1983), and had died by the time the prequels were made. Jake Lloyd played Anakin in Star Wars: Episodio I - La amenaza fantasma (1999). Hayden played the young adult Anakin in both Star Wars: Episodio II - El ataque de los clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (2005).
On the set of Factory Girl (2006) in Louisiana, he shared a house with co-star Sienna Miller.
Is partially of Swedish descent, as are his on-screen mother Pernilla August and son Mark Hamill from the Star Wars films.
Is an alumnus of the Arts York Drama Program at Unionville High School, a school that specializes in the creative arts.
Was ranked #11 on Entertainment Weekly's '30 Under 30' the actors list. (2008).
His favorite actor is Joe Lando.
Favourite actor and mentor is Kevin Kline.
Was engaged to his Jumper (2008) co-star and then girlfriend Rachel Bilson from February 2009 until June 2010.
Currently filming Despierto (2007) in New York. [December 2005]
Currently filming Aprendiz de caballero (2007) (aka "The Decameron"). [May 2005]
Currently filming New York, I Love You (2008). [August 2008]
In Detroit, filming Vanishing on 7th Street (2010). [October 2009]
Filming Factory Girl (2006) in Shreveport, Louisiana. [January 2006]
Filming Star Wars: Episodio III - La venganza de los Sith (2005) in Australia. [June 2003]
Hayden holds dual citizenship in the United States and his native Canada.
Personal Quotes
Actors are observers. They're trying to have an understanding of
human sensibility. And how do you have that accurate observation if you
regard yourself as someone of great importance? When you're the one
constantly being observed, because they view you as a celebrity? It's
all wrong.
All my characters have characteristics I don't know anything about
and that's the joy. Being able to justify their actions, and find
sympathy in their wrongs, and understand their accomplishments. After
Life as a House I took a while off and tried to remember who I was at
the beginning of the film. You obsess, and it's exhausting, to lose your
sense of self.
All I want is all what my mother wanted for me when she raised me -
to be happy. For that, I don't need to be in a relationship. I don't
need to have a certain level of respect. I just want to care very much
about what I do and be kind to everyone in the process. It's important
that I can feel that. That's happiness.
I have two sisters and a mother, obviously, so I grew up with a
household of girls. Maybe I have a greater respect for women because of
it.
I wish they taught green screen acting classes.
Ewan McGregor
and I had very similar first-time light sabre experiences. We both
burned ourselves! These things are hot - they're full of batteries!.
It's such a struggle to protect your integrity and dignity in this
industry ... they really want to attack your morality and your beliefs.
They need you to give up a certain part of yourself before they'll
initiate you into 'stardom' ... I've always been kind of a hermit. I
find my joy in the little things they want to take away from me. Prior
to all this, I took pleasure from being the observer. Now I'm the
observed.
[on his favourite scene in Star Wars: Episodio II - El ataque de los clones
(2002)] I love the sequence in which "Obi-Wan" visits "Yoda" when he's
giving lessons to the Jedi apprentices. At that moment, an image of the
universe is projected because Obi-Wan is looking for the planet Kamino. I
find this marvelous and very poetic.
I don't find Hollywood interesting, so I'm thinking of studying architecture instead.
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