Hayden Christensen is a Canadian actor best known for his starring role as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, Episode II and III. Spotted as a relative unknown by director George Lucas, Christensen was singled out for his raw talent – a career move that’s catapulted him to Hollywood stardom, leading to several high-profile roles in action films including 2008’s Jumper and 2010’s Takers. Christensen’s turn as Skywalker was warmly received by critics, earning him the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and the Cannes Film Festival Revelation Award.

Born in Vancouver in 1981, Christensen made his acting debut in 1993 on Canadian television, starring in several dramatic series throughout his teen years. His breakthrough came with a major role in Fox Family Network’s Higher Ground, a harrowing story of abuse that demonstrated his range and capability. Prior to his role in Star Wars, Christensen appeared in several notable films and television series, such as Goosebumps, The Virgin Suicides and Life as a House, the latter of which earned him Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. Aside from his on-screen work, the actor has modelled for Louis Vuitton and Lacoste, and helped to promote RED’s Lazarus Effect Campaign, an initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the AIDS crisis in Africa.