Hayden Christensen
Actor
Toronto, ON, Canada
Biography:
Hayden Christensen was born April 19, 1981 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His parents, Alie and David Christensen, are in the communications business. He is of Danish (father) and Swedish and Italian (mother) descent. Hayden grew up in Markham, Ontario, with siblings Kaylen, Hejsa, and Tove. 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 had starring roles in several dramatic television series.
His biggest break was a major part in the Fox Family Network's Higher Ground (2000). On the series, Hayden showed off his acting talent as a teen who was sexually molested by his stepmother, and turns to drugs in despair. Later, he appeared in the television movie Trapped in a Purple Haze (2000), where he co-starred with his friend Jonathan Jackson. Hayden also had a role in the film The Virgin Suicides (1999).
On May 12, 2000, it was announced that Christensen would star as Anakin Skywalker in the prequels Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). The star was chosen by director George Lucas because he felt that Hayden had raw talent and good chemistry with actress Natalie Portman. Lucas stunned the movie world by picking the then-unknown actor after he had turned down such big names as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonathan Jackson, as well as 400 other candidates.
His role as the troubled, misunderstood teenager Sam Monroe in Irwin Winkler's Life as a House (2001) won him 'Breakthrough Performance of the Year' from the National Board of Review. The film also placed him as a nominee for 'Best Supporting Actor' at both the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Hayden then starred in Shattered Glass (2003), quoted by some of the real Stephen Glass' colleagues as giving an eerie and uncanny portrayal.
Since his Star Wars days, Hayden has headlined several action films, including Jumper (2008) and Takers (2010).
When not working, he 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.
Anime Convention Guest Appearances
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2024
- Fan Expo San Francisco 2024 - November 29 - December 1, 2024 in San Francisco, CA
- Fan Expo Chicago 2024 - August 16-18, 2024 in Rosemont, IL
- Fan Expo Philadelphia 2024 - May 3-5, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA
- MegaCon Orlando 2024 - February 1-4, 2024 in Orlando, FL 2023
- Fan Expo Canada 2023 - August 24-27, 2023 in Toronto, ON, Canada
- Fan Expo Boston 2023 - August 4-6, 2023 in Boston, MA
- Fan Expo Denver 2023 - June 30 - July 2, 2023 in Denver, CO
- Fan Expo Dallas 2023 - June 9-11, 2023 in Dallas, TX
- Fan Expo Philadelphia 2023 - June 2-4, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA
- Calgary Expo 2023 - April 27-30, 2023 in Calgary, AB, Canada
- MegaCon Orlando 2023 - March 30 - April 2, 2023 in Orlando, FL 2021
- Florida Supercon 2021 - September 10-12, 2021 in Miami Beach, FL
12 confirmed guest appearances
View Hayden Christensen on FanCons.com for 25 additional guest appearances