Claim: Christian Bale was an actor.

Christian Charles Philip Bale -LRB- born 30 January 1974 -RRB- is an English actor . He has starred both in blockbuster films and smaller projects from independent producers and art houses .   Bale first caught the public eye at the age of 13 , when he was cast in the starring role of Steven Spielberg 's Empire of the Sun -LRB- 1987 -RRB- . Based on the original story by J. G. Ballard , Bale played an English boy who is separated from his parents and subsequently finds himself lost in a Japanese internment camp during World War II . In 2000 , he garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of serial killer Patrick Bateman in American Psycho . He is known for going to great lengths to portray characters in films , notably for the psychological thriller The Machinist -LRB- 2004 -RRB- , where he lost 63 pounds -LRB- 28.5 kg -RRB- to play the role of Trevor Reznik .   Bale went on to receive greater commercial recognition for his starring role as Batman in Christopher Nolan 's Batman Begins -LRB- 2005 -RRB- , The Dark Knight -LRB- 2008 -RRB- and The Dark Knight Rises -LRB- 2012 -RRB- . His portrayal of Dicky Eklund in the David O. Russell-directed biographical film The Fighter -LRB- 2010 -RRB- , earned him critical acclaim and a number of awards , including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor . He has since gained further acclaim as well as subsequent Academy Award , Screen Actors Guild Award and Golden Globe nominations for his roles in Russell 's American Hustle -LRB- 2013 -RRB- and Adam McKay 's The Big Short -LRB- 2015 -RRB- .