Ahsoka: Who is Hayden Christensen, actor playing Anakin Skywalker?

At 42 years of age, Hayden Christensen is intimately familiar with the Star Wars universe. His initial portrayal of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader dates back to Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002). However, the reception of his character wasn’t universally positive among fans. In anticipation of Revenge of the Sith (2005), George Lucas, the creator and director of Star Wars, expressed in Vanity Fair, “Poor Hayden. His performance is great. They just don’t like the character.”

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Fast forward to 2022, and Christensen’s perspective had shifted. In an interview with The Guardian, he conveyed his excitement about his return to the franchise and his reprisal of the role in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Who is Hayden Christensen?

Hayden Christensen, a Canadian actor, has become most renowned for his compelling portrayal of Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader in the expansive Star Wars media franchise. His journey within the franchise began with his appearances in the prequel trilogy movies, namely Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). He further revisited his role through a voice cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and took on the central antagonist position in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). Fans can also anticipate his return in the upcoming Disney+ series Ahsoka (2023).

Christensen initiated his acting career on Canadian television when he was just 13 years old, later extending his reach into the American television scene during the late 1990s. His early portfolio boasts projects like Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides (1999), Life as a House (2001), and Shattered Glass (2003), in which his performances as Sam in Life as a House and as Stephen Glass in Shattered Glass earned him notable critical acclaim. Among his recognitions are nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, alongside the Trophée Chopard from the Cannes Film Festival. Alongside these accomplishments, he has made his mark in a diverse array of films spanning both mainstream blockbusters and independent productions, including titles like Awake (2007), Jumper (2008), Takers (2010), and Little Italy (2018).

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Christensen’s parents are Alie, an American speechwriter, and David Christensen, a Canadian computer programmer and communications executive. His family background comprises his Danish lineage from his father and a mix of Swedish and Italian heritage from his mother. Within his family of four siblings, he has older brother Tove, older sister Hejsa, and younger sister Kaylen. Summers were often spent with his maternal grandmother, Rose Schwartz, on Long Island.

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During his educational years, Christensen attended Unionville High School in Markham, Ontario. In school, he displayed athleticism by actively participating in competitive hockey and achieving a provincial level of skill in tennis. His interest in the arts led him to enroll at the Actors Studio in New York City, where he further honed his acting skills. This pursuit was also nurtured during his attendance at the Arts York drama program in high school.

The trajectory of his acting career began with a curious twist – accompanying his older sister to her agent’s office, which led to his own entry into the realm of commercials. He was soon cast in various advertisements, including one for Triaminic cough syrup in 1988.