Movie fans are only just realising Christian Bale isn't actually American
Moviegoers shared their astonishment at realising the Pembrokeshire actor, famed for his convincing American accent on screen, is not actually from across the pond
Christian Bale was born in Haverfordwest, but grew up in England
(Image: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images )
Christian Bale is considered one of the most dedicated and intense method actors of his generation – a professional who not only plays his part but also becomes his part.
Take for instance, the lengths he went to achieve his frighteningly emaciated look for playing machinist Trevor Reznik in 2005's The Machinist; or him going the opposite direction and packing on plenty of muscle to play Batman in Batman Begins that same year. And then of course, his adult breakout role as bloodthirsty yuppie madman Patrick Bateman in 2000's American Psycho.
The latter role is most remembered not just for his bloodlust but for his convincing American accent – so much so that people actually believed he was really from the US when he played that role. That shock was all the more apparent in a Reddit forum which discussed Christian's roots and his fans were surprised to hear that the actor was not American, but in fact British.
Christian was born in Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire in 1974, to parents Jenny James and David Bale. He was only two years old when the family left Wales to live a nomadic lifestyle in Portugal and Oxfordshire before settling down in Bournemouth.
He played with an American accent in the 2000 thriller American Psycho
(Image: Eric Robert/Sygma via Getty Images )
His accent has been the source of online debate for years, with Christian admitting in a 2019 interview with Sky News he enjoyed seeing the audience getting confused over his accent, while adding: "Yes, I was born in Wales but I don't think I've got any ring of Welsh in my accent at all."
Article continues below
That confusion was very much in full force in one Reddit group, named "In real life, Christian Bale is not actually an American Psycho. He is British." One fan shared their "shock" at hearing his real voice, saying: "Hearing him in Batman and this I'm so used to, and even though I know he's from the UK, hearing his normal voice shocks me."
A second person added: "I'm not fluent in English so I learned very late that he was British. In fact I never seen him in a 'brit' movie like Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy or Idris Elba."
A third commenter praised Christian's versatility in his acting roles, adding: "Doesn't help that Christian Bale has seriously good acting range and that most of his movies/characters are US based. I'd say the closest recent British Christian Bale would be his Ken Miles character in Ford vs Ferrari."
As if the US vs UK discussions weren't enough, a secondary debate raged within that forum in which Brits were arguing over whether he is actually English or Welsh.
One person simply said: "I thought he killed like a Welshman," while a second person added: "I think he's actually the Welsh psycho" and a third reacted by using an image with the word: "Welshie".
Christian recently began building his foster care village in California
(Image: Robin)
The story behind Christian's decision to adopt an American lilt goes back to the 1990s when, after being catapulted to fame as a 13-year-old in the 1987 hit Empire Of The Sun, he struggled to get work using his normal accent. As a result, he pretended to be from across the pond.
He told Sky News in 2019 that he "couldn't get any work in England, I don't know what it was about me but nobody would bloody hire me".
Article continues below
Christian moved to the US aged 17, but said the only roles he was being offered at the time were period roles "with floppy hair and stuff".
He added: "Great, but that's not what I wanted to do for my whole life. That was all that kept coming my way, but it was work, and in England it was no work. And so I said I've really got to just be able to convince people I'm American."
While in the US, his career has flourished over the decades and recently, he decided to take on a new role – building a foster care village in California so that young siblings are never separated from each other.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Cara Delevigne leads the star-studded guestlist for Mel B's lavish wedding
Cara Delevigne was one of many high profile celebrities who attended the highly anticipated wedding between Spice Girl Mel B and Rory McPhee held at St Paul's Cathedral Cara Delevigne cut an elegant and stylish appearance as she made her way into the iconic St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the wedding of Melanie Brown and Rory McPhee. The 32 year old supermodel donned a tailored black suit teamed with a crisp white shirt, while her hair was tied up in black lace which was complimented by a hat. The model, who has walked the runway for a number of high profile fashion houses, finished off her look with a large pair of dark sunglasses. Cara was one of many A-list guests including Daisy Lowe, comedian Katherine Ryan, Emma Bunton and the man that created the Spice Girls turning them a global sensation, Simon Fuller. Despite the absence of Geri Horner, Victoria Beckham and Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton flew the Spice Girls flag as she attend the ceremony with her husband Jade and their son. It has been reported that Victoria Beckham was unable to attend as she was out of the country. But she paid tribute to Mel B on Instagram after posting a picture of the pair of them looking glam. Other guests included presenters Angelica Bell, Gabby Roslin, comedian Alan Carr and her sister Danielle. Mel looked sensational in her pearl embellished white gown that showed off her amazing curves. Arriving in a white Bentley, Mel looked radiant as she tweaked her veil as she made her way into the Cathedral. Ahead of her nuptials, Mel revealed to WWD magazine details of her dress and the designers. She told the publication earlier this year: "I found an amazing bridal boutique called Evelie in London and in one incredible afternoon, I found two perfect dresses." She added: "One beautiful classic dress by Josephine Scott, a British designer and one stunning dramatic dress by a U.S. designer, Justin Alexander." The Spice Girl continued to tell the publication: "I've since had fittings in London and New York, so it's a perfect blend of my love for Britain and America." She said at the time: "This will be a very formal, English wedding where I want to feel regal and very proper. " She added: "All the ladies will wear hats or fascinators. Then, I'm having a second ceremony abroad, which will be more informal, sexy, and beautiful."
South Wales Argus
25 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
LGBT artists decry Supreme Court ruling at rainy London Pride parade
Writer Shon Faye and the lead actor in the BBC drama What It Feels Like For A Girl, Ellis Howard, also criticised the judgment. The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan shouted 'happy pride' and thousands people started to walk through central London, led by a more than a dozen motorcyclists from LGBT groups. There were shouts for 'trans rights now' as the engines roared and rain started to fall on Saturday afternoon. American pop singer Chaka Khan is headlining the event that saw around 500 organisations file from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, and on to Whitehall Place. Members of the public watch the the Pride in London 2025 parade (Alberto Pezzali/AP) Former Years And Years singer Alexander told the PA news agency: 'Trans people right now, they need our support and love more than ever, they're being villainised, demonised in the press, by a lot of the media, and trans people they're just like us… they're you, they're me. 'They deserve the same respect, the same rights, the same privileges, same opportunities, and that's why pride is so important this year.' The solo artist and Eurovision 2024 contestant added: 'There's been a real backlash against DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies and that's been going on for years, and I think we're in a bit of a swing, that's going against where we were maybe five years ago. 'We've had the Supreme Court ruling and I feel like a lot of trans people are scared, rightfully scared, they don't understand… what their lives are going to look like.' In April the Supreme Court ruled the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Before the march began Shon Faye, author of Love in Exile and The Transgender Issue, said 'we've just seen an unprecedented attack on queer rights and trans rights across the world'. She told PA: 'For the trans community in particular here in the UK, we've seen an onslaught of misinformation, attacks in the media, and unfortunately the roll back of human rights in the courts. 'I think (pride) is more important than ever – I think a lot of trans people have been made to feel afraid in public space and pride this year is about taking back public space, and showing what we're not going to be silenced, and we're not going to be intimidated.' Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, centre right, with his wife Saadiya Khan, centre left, attend the Pride in London 2025 parade (Alberto Pezzali/AP) Asked what she hoped would change, Faye said: 'I feel like it's not a one year change deal… movements move in generations, I think what we have to do now is accept the reality of the situation we're in and we have to work together with other groups, within the LGBT community and outside it, to really start forming strong coalitions in order to fight this stuff. 'I think where we're going in the UK, unfortunately this rightward turn is going to continue for some time. The people together are powerful.' She added: 'I think the reality is what some of these attacks are designed to do is exhaust us… we become very focused and frightened and then sometimes it's easier to retreat in and the reality is we need to do the opposite of that – we need to be willing to work with people who aren't necessarily like us'. Howard played Paris Lees in the BBC dramatisation of her memoir and, like Alexander and Faye, was supporting trans rights charity Not A Phase at the parade. He told PA that 'we're in an incredibly precarious political time' and said pride this year is 'more important than ever'. The actor added: 'I think it's so, so important that we show up as queers, as allies, and we celebrate. Joy is an act of resistance. 'I hope it shows queers of all ages that we stand with you, we are for you, and we love you'. A giant rainbow flag is displayed during the 2025 Pride Parade in London (Alberto Pezzali/AP) He added: 'The recent Supreme Court ruling concerns me, the lack of proper tangible support from our Government concerns me, the lack of funding to amazing organisations like Not A Phase really, really concerns me. 'But honestly, I look around, I see stuff like this, I see what grassroots activism can do, and the power that that can have'. Sir Sadiq said: 'It was an honour and a privilege to again walk at the front of London's world-famous Pride parade as huge crowds of Londoners and visitors joined together for an incredible show of love, unity and solidarity with our LGBTQI+ communities. 'The fantastic parade and celebrations across central London have shown once again that our capital is a beacon of inclusivity and diversity. 'This year's event was also a defiant reminder that we must keep fighting for equality and take a stand against those seeking to roll back hard-won rights. 'Together, we sent a powerful message to the world that in London you are free to be whoever you want to be and love whoever you want to love, as we continue to build a better, fairer London for everyone.' A YouGov poll released ahead of the event found 67% of people in the UK believe the country is inclusive to LGBTQ+ people, and 60% would not welcome a shift towards more negative attitudes. Simon Blake, chief executive of Stonewall, which commissioned the survey, said despite the findings 'we know many LGBTQ+ people do not feel this in their neighbourhoods and workplaces'. He added: 'In policy terms, the reality is different too. 'The UK has dropped sharply down the global leaderboard for LGBTQ+ rights.' This year the UK fell to its lowest-ever ranking for LGBTI human rights, an annual report found. This was because of the Supreme Court ruling and subsequent UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance, said the ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map, which has run since 2009.
The Herald Scotland
35 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
LGBT artists decry Supreme Court ruling at rainy London Pride parade
The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan shouted 'happy pride' and thousands people started to walk through central London, led by a more than a dozen motorcyclists from LGBT groups. There were shouts for 'trans rights now' as the engines roared and rain started to fall on Saturday afternoon. American pop singer Chaka Khan is headlining the event that saw around 500 organisations file from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, and on to Whitehall Place. Members of the public watch the the Pride in London 2025 parade (Alberto Pezzali/AP) Former Years And Years singer Alexander told the PA news agency: 'Trans people right now, they need our support and love more than ever, they're being villainised, demonised in the press, by a lot of the media, and trans people they're just like us… they're you, they're me. 'They deserve the same respect, the same rights, the same privileges, same opportunities, and that's why pride is so important this year.' The solo artist and Eurovision 2024 contestant added: 'There's been a real backlash against DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies and that's been going on for years, and I think we're in a bit of a swing, that's going against where we were maybe five years ago. 'We've had the Supreme Court ruling and I feel like a lot of trans people are scared, rightfully scared, they don't understand… what their lives are going to look like.' In April the Supreme Court ruled the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Before the march began Shon Faye, author of Love in Exile and The Transgender Issue, said 'we've just seen an unprecedented attack on queer rights and trans rights across the world'. She told PA: 'For the trans community in particular here in the UK, we've seen an onslaught of misinformation, attacks in the media, and unfortunately the roll back of human rights in the courts. 'I think (pride) is more important than ever – I think a lot of trans people have been made to feel afraid in public space and pride this year is about taking back public space, and showing what we're not going to be silenced, and we're not going to be intimidated.' Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, centre right, with his wife Saadiya Khan, centre left, attend the Pride in London 2025 parade (Alberto Pezzali/AP) Asked what she hoped would change, Faye said: 'I feel like it's not a one year change deal… movements move in generations, I think what we have to do now is accept the reality of the situation we're in and we have to work together with other groups, within the LGBT community and outside it, to really start forming strong coalitions in order to fight this stuff. 'I think where we're going in the UK, unfortunately this rightward turn is going to continue for some time. The people together are powerful.' She added: 'I think the reality is what some of these attacks are designed to do is exhaust us… we become very focused and frightened and then sometimes it's easier to retreat in and the reality is we need to do the opposite of that – we need to be willing to work with people who aren't necessarily like us'. Howard played Paris Lees in the BBC dramatisation of her memoir and, like Alexander and Faye, was supporting trans rights charity Not A Phase at the parade. He told PA that 'we're in an incredibly precarious political time' and said pride this year is 'more important than ever'. The actor added: 'I think it's so, so important that we show up as queers, as allies, and we celebrate. Joy is an act of resistance. 'I hope it shows queers of all ages that we stand with you, we are for you, and we love you'. A giant rainbow flag is displayed during the 2025 Pride Parade in London (Alberto Pezzali/AP) He added: 'The recent Supreme Court ruling concerns me, the lack of proper tangible support from our Government concerns me, the lack of funding to amazing organisations like Not A Phase really, really concerns me. 'But honestly, I look around, I see stuff like this, I see what grassroots activism can do, and the power that that can have'. Sir Sadiq said: 'It was an honour and a privilege to again walk at the front of London's world-famous Pride parade as huge crowds of Londoners and visitors joined together for an incredible show of love, unity and solidarity with our LGBTQI+ communities. 'The fantastic parade and celebrations across central London have shown once again that our capital is a beacon of inclusivity and diversity. 'This year's event was also a defiant reminder that we must keep fighting for equality and take a stand against those seeking to roll back hard-won rights. 'Together, we sent a powerful message to the world that in London you are free to be whoever you want to be and love whoever you want to love, as we continue to build a better, fairer London for everyone.' A YouGov poll released ahead of the event found 67% of people in the UK believe the country is inclusive to LGBTQ+ people, and 60% would not welcome a shift towards more negative attitudes. Simon Blake, chief executive of Stonewall, which commissioned the survey, said despite the findings 'we know many LGBTQ+ people do not feel this in their neighbourhoods and workplaces'. He added: 'In policy terms, the reality is different too. 'The UK has dropped sharply down the global leaderboard for LGBTQ+ rights.' This year the UK fell to its lowest-ever ranking for LGBTI human rights, an annual report found. This was because of the Supreme Court ruling and subsequent UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance, said the ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map, which has run since 2009.
