Charlize Theron Reveals Surgery After Every Film: Inside Her On-Set Injuries!

Released on Netflix this April 24, “Apex” is one of the most anticipated action movies of the year. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, known for “Everest,” Charlize Theron stars as a grieving woman who seeks solace in the Australian wilderness, only to find herself the target of a serial killer. Opposite her, Taron Egerton portrays a chilling antagonist.

The film was shot in the scenic Blue Mountains of New South Wales, and during a Netflix event in May, Theron described the experience as “one of the most incredible of my life.” She appeared on stage with an orthopedic boot, explaining humorously, “This pretty boot is hiding a broken toe.” The film had wrapped up just days before. “It’s a miracle I’m standing here today,” she told the audience.

“I’ve Had Surgery After Every Film”

But for Charlize Theron, a broken toe is almost routine. In a detailed interview with the New York Times, she revealed a medical history that’s quite alarming. For “Apex” alone, beyond the toe: two elbow surgeries.

For “The Old Guard,” she filmed despite injuries and underwent three surgeries on her left arm after filming. For “Atomic Blonde,” she finished the shoot with two back teeth shattered, leading to root canal treatments. She summed up her situation with disarming fatalism: “I have surgery after every film.“

“I Was Inches Away from Paralysis”

The most harrowing story comes from the filming of “Aeon Flux.” “I fell on my neck, and it was a really serious injury. I was inches away from being paralyzed. They had to stop the shooting.” This was followed by an untreated cervical hernia for eight years, with a looming risk of opioid dependency. “Looking back, it was so irresponsible,” she reflected.

Perhaps the most absurd medical incident in her filmography involved “Borat”: a fit of laughter caused a herniated disc to compress her nerves, resulting in a five-day hospital stay and a return home on a private jet. Theron concludes, stoically: “It’s a funny story now.” We’ll take her word for it.

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