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6 Actors Who Captured Transformative Leadership On the Big Screen (And What You Can Learn From Them)
Mindset

6 Actors Who Captured Transformative Leadership On the Big Screen (And What You Can Learn From Them)

Humanity’s progress depends on remarkable people who step forward to inspire and guide others. Modern culture reflects this need with the worship of the entrepreneur, with the likes of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk as modern-day symbols of innovation and leadership. Effective leadership wins the hearts and minds of the masses; but what makes a remarkable leader?RELATED: 60 Marcus Aurelius Quotes About Life, Death and LeadershipThere is an element of mystery, a charm or charisma that seems to be god-given, rather than developed. However, research has identified key qualities of transformational leadership, bringing these qualities to light. Let’s look at the secrets of transformative leadership, backed up by Hollywood’s most impressive examples, to give you a clear idea of what it takes — along with quality movie recommendations.What Is Transformative Leadership?What comes to mind when you think of a leader? Most of us have an idealized image of leadership. Sure, there are negative examples, such as a tyrant ruling over others with fear and intimidation, or an authoritarian who demands other people do as they say. But most of us can identify leaders who embody something special — the ability to transform others, not through fear, but through inspiration.Transformative Leadership TheoryJames MacGregor Burns, a historian and political scientist who extensively studied presidents, coined the term transformative leadership in the 1970s. His work has been studied and built upon since then. In 1991, scholars Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio introduced three distinct categories of leadership styles:Laissez-faire: a French term that translates to “let them do (what they want),” a passive style of leadership that puts the responsibility of decision-making on employees. These leaders are absent and shirk at making decisions and leading by example.Transactional: this is a standard form of leadership, which doesn’t have big goals or desire to make positive change, but keeps things ticking over. These leaders will organize teams based on reward and punishment and monitor only to find fault. Think of a sales manager who is uninspired by their work, and encourages the team to perform and hit targets with the promise of bonuses.Transformative: these leaders go above and beyond. They’re not around to keep the status quo, but to completely rethink the organization’s (or culture’s) way of operating. A significant element of this type of leadership is the ability to connect vision and values, getting people to “buy in” to the cultural shift. These leaders focus less on short-term transactions, and more on the bigger picture.Leadership styles apply to any scenario where leadership occurs. The most obvious is in an organization; think of the CEO or manager position. But leadership occurs in families, sports teams, communities, and cultural movements. The likes of Martin Luther King or Gandhi may come to mind. Many transformative leaders don’t have high profiles, but the chances are, their followers will detect something remarkable. The Four Dimensions of Transformational LeadershipWhat makes that something remarkable? Exceptional communication skills are, of course, essential, along with self-awareness and a solid grasp of human psychology. You could argue that the right timing for a message to be received, and the relevance of the leader’s vision, all contribute. In addition, Bass and Avoilio identified the four dimensions of transformational leadership:Individualized consideration: these leaders don’t expect everyone to have the same needs, but they’re able to adapt and inspire a diverse cross-section of people. Not everyone will be inspired or motivated by the same approach, but these managers will find a way for each individual.Inspirational motivation: in order to go above and beyond, these leaders know how to connect to an inspired vision, how to communicate that, and how to identify ways to move towards the vision. Not relying on punishment and reward, they stir the hearts and minds, encouraging others to become part of the shared vision and values. Idealized influence: these leaders are ethical and model, and lead by example. They don’t shy away from difficult decisions but demonstrate integrity, thoughtfulness, and care, whilst always inspiring their teams to do better.Intellectual stimulation: these leaders encourage people’s input and foster creativity. They’re aware of their own biases and aren’t afraid to welcome other perspectives. Rather than believing their way is the right way, they’ll always assess and update, and that includes challenging the mental models and conventional ways of thinking.Examples of Transformative Leadership in FilmSome individuals command the attention of thousands, or millions, of followers; these people inspire others to become better, to exceed their own expectations. Others fight for a cause in acts of courage and resilience that go unnoticed by the masses. No matter their origin, Hollywood has captured many of these stories on the big screen. Below isn't a definitive list, but a collection of the many faces of transformative leadership.1. Samuel L. Jackson in Coach CarterSport is a powerful vessel for transformative leadership to shine. That was Ken Carter’s initial focus (Jackson) when he returned to his old school, Richmond High, to coach their basketball team. Based on a true story, Carter made waves for suspending his top performers for poor academic grades. This wasn’t only about basketball, but wanting the best out of his underprivileged group, where many end up in prison. Carter’s passion and inspiration were aimed off-the-court, as well as on it.RELATED: 128 Leadership Quotes to Inspire You to Become a Better LeaderThe movie captures how Carter instills a sense of respect, determination, and confidence — a form of idealized influence. He stands up for his belief in improving the players’ grades, despite huge amounts of pressure. “I took this job because I wanted to effect change in a special group of young men,” he says, “and this is the only way I know how to do that.” Eventually, the players get on board. A number get scholarships to attend college.2. Daniel Radcliffe in Harry PotterAlthough not an obvious choice, Harry Potter (Radcliffe) is a transformative leader in his own magical sense. Fighting for the forces of good over evil, Potter continues to develop and grow as he moves through education at Hogwarts, mentored by Albus Dumbledore. Eventually, he goes on to mentor others, particularly when the school’s pupils are told they are not able to train in practical defense against dark arts. In response, Harry forms a secret group, Dumbledore’s Army.During secret training, Potter encourages the team of students to go beyond what they thought was possible, through inspirational motivation. “Every great wizard in history started out as nothing more than what we are now — students,” he tells them. He meets every individual’s needs, particularly Neville, who looks like he’ll never make the grade but is supported by Harry until he eventually learns the spell he’s been trying hard to master.3. Helen Mirren in Calendar GirlsWhat do a group of middle-aged women from Yorkshire have to do with transformative leadership? Another film based on true events, Calendar Girls tells the story of a group of women who pose for a naked calendar, with the noble aim of raising money for a cancer charity. However, against all expectations, they start to receive more and more attention, before their story reaches the heights of global fame, including an interview on The Tonight Show.Their exposure isn’t through pure luck, though. Leader of the group Chris (Mirren) is shown navigating all sorts of hurdles along the way, not least her impassioned speech to get the calendar’s official status. What’s most impressive is how Chris leads by example in navigating the unexpected leadership status. She wears her heart on her sleeve, inspiring with passion and authenticity, as well as a never-say-die attitude. 4. Hilary Swank in Freedom WritersAnother true-story set in a high school setting, Freedom Writers shows the naive but well-intentioned efforts of new teacher Erin Gruwell (Swank). Joining a school in LA that was heavily divided by racial segregation following riots a few years prior, Gruwell seems to be on a lost cause. The students have no desire to learn and have to some degree already become resigned to their fate. But the teacher has a different idea.Working tirelessly to find different ways to motivate the group, she begins by attempting to show them what they have in common, not what separates them. Gruwell works extra jobs in order to fund the school’s purchase of books, and, after reading The Diary of Anne Frank, arranges a school visit from Miep Gies, the Austrian secretary who protected Frank. In the end, her enthusiasm and belief in her students changes their belief of what's possible.5. Brad Pitt in MoneyballAnother story of sport leadership based on true events, Moneyball depicts a different style of transformative leadership. Rather than lead the line with passion and charisma, in the way Coach Carter did, Billy Beane (Pitt) takes an unconventional approach in piecing together Oakland Athletic’s baseball team in the 2002 season. Faced with financial constraints, he works with Yale economics graduate, Peter Brand, who has a radical way of scouting players, by relying on cold, hard data.Faced with a lack of belief and even ridicule by those around him, Beane sees the potential in Brand’s "sabermetric model" and assembles a team that, on paper, appears to be low in quality. To make things more difficult, initially the team struggles, and Beane fires his head scout who opposes the idea. Eventually, the pair’s approach leads to success and is now fully integrated into the sport.6. Chadwick Boseman in Black PantherWould any current movie list be complete without a superhero element? The multi-billion-dollar frenzy of superhero movies in recent decades points to the popularity of comic book adaptations. There are a number of reasons why. Larger-than-life portrayals of invincible heroes are pure escapism, a way to be entertained and stimulated by the big screen. But there’s more to it; superheroes amplify the qualities of transformational leadership, particularly idealized influence.Although there are plenty of options to choose from, Black Panther stands out as a deeper exploration of what it means to lead. And not just any type of leading, either — what it takes to be a King. The late and great Chadwick Boseman excels as T’Challa, showing the often painful process of trying to lead with integrity and honor, whilst always holding the bigger picture in view, and pre-empting the repercussions of decisions, knowing when to fight or negotiate, and how to respond in high-pressure situations.In one powerful scene, T’Challa’s father, T’Chaka, tells him: “You are a good man with a good heart. And it's hard for a good man to be a king.” Those words ring true; similar to Ken Carter, T’Chaka knows that true leadership will involve making decisions that might upset others, but honoring values is more important than being liked, even if that weighs heavy on the heart.KEEP READING Leadership Styles: What Best Suits Your Psychology?

Adam Driver and Joanne Tucker's Marriage Story Stayed Behind the Scenes
Love Stories

Adam Driver and Joanne Tucker's Marriage Story Stayed Behind the Scenes

Since landing his breakout role on HBO's Girls back in 2012, Adam Driver has seen his acting career take off. In the years that followed his successful run on the show, he has played Kylo Ren in Star Wars, snagged an Oscar nomination for BlacKkKlansman, and made a splash on Broadway, scoring a Tony nom for Burn This. All throughout this exciting journey, he’s had a special someone by his side: his wife, fellow actress Joanne Tucker. You might recognize her from Girls or Showtime’s Billions, but you likely haven’t seen much of her actually with Driver. That’s because, as a couple, the two have managed to stay far, far away from the public eye. So far, in fact, that they actually hid the birth of their son for two whole years! But it’s not just their excellent secret keeping that makes Driver and Tucker a dream team. Here’s what we can learn from Adam and Joanne's love story: Unforeseen circumstances can be a blessingLong before Adam Driver became a star of both the small and big screen, he was an aspiring actor. Even before that, he was a proud member of the military. That’s right: Driver joined the Marine Corps following 9/11. He was just 18 at the time and, as he told US Veterans magazine in 2017, “September 11 happened and all my friends were like, ‘Let’s join the military’, and I was the only one who actually did.”He enlisted and that’s when an unexpected turn of events led him to acting… and to his future wife. Before deploying, Driver injured his sternum in a mountain biking accident and, after two years of service without time in the field, he was discharged. While he was disappointed, he had no reservations about his next steps. As he told Rolling Stone, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. "I was like, 'I'm going to smoke cigarettes and be an actor when I get out,’” he recalled. “Those were my two thoughts.” Humor (and cheese) can be an incredible bondOnce Driver was discharged, he applied to one school and one school only: the prestigious Juilliard performing arts conservatory in New York City. He was accepted and while there, met fellow acting student Joanne Tucker. Their bond began to blossom and it grew stronger thanks to a large dose of humor. And cheese. As Driver told Broadway.com in 2009, “She taught me what Gouda cheese is. And that you shouldn’t talk with your mouth full and spit on the sidewalk.” He also made sure to share his passions with her. He added, “I told her about Rolling Stone and how it could be interesting and entertaining.”Secrecy kept their relationship special Plenty of celebrities try (and fail) to keep their private lives private, but Driver and Tucker are absolute pros. In 2013, they tied the knot in a secret destination wedding. Then they accomplished the unthinkable when they managed to have a child without the public knowing. As Page Six reported in 2018, the couple welcomed a son some two years prior. According to insiders, the pair shared their pregnancy journey on private Instagram accounts with one secret photo showing Tucker and her sister pregnant with the caption, "Sisters. Nearly matching everything. #babyshowerx2." The outlet also noted how, in a 2017 interview, Driver actually let the news slip, then quickly tried to cover his tracks. "I look at my dog — this sounds so absurd, but it's not — I don't know that I could love anything more,” he told W. “Like, I have a kid. Oh, uh, maybe,” he faltered. Watch this Goalcast video for more inspirational celebrities:They share Driver’s No. 1 passionThese days, Driver may be devoted to acting, but he’ll never forget his military roots. It's a deep-set passion that his wife happily shares in. So much so that, while they were still students, they founded a non-profit called Arts in the Armed Forces in 2006. Joanne Tucker doesn’t just merely support her beau’s biggest passion, she’s also a key player in his mission to give back. While Driver is listed as the organization’s founder, Tucker is its artistic director and they both devote a considerable amount of time to the cause. Over the years, they’ve raised money and organized top theater productions for active service members, veterans and their families. As Driver told the Guardian, it’s more than just a passion project, it’s a life-changer. The couple’s goal is “to bring thought-provoking theater-based troop entertainment to an audience that wouldn’t normally be associated with theater.” Because, as he told the military audience at the charity’s 2019 A Raisin in the Sun production: I know it's a common adage in acting to say 'we're not saving lives,' but I think art does save lives. It just brings people out of the dark.It also brings people together. Not just the soldiers and veterans the non-profit aims to help, but Driver and Tucker themselves. Since meeting, they’ve shared humor, a love of family, a passion for the arts, and a devotion to giving back. Helping others has helped their relationship as well, proving that while it’s important to have your own projects and interests, it’s even more imperative to support (and share in) each other’s biggest passions. When you choose to be a team, you should be a team in all aspects of life.More inspiring celebrity stories:Meryl Streep Fought Through the Tragic Loss of Her First Love to Find HappinessJennifer Lawrence’s Husband Found Her When She Wasn’t Looking for LoveLiam Neeson and Natasha Richardson’s Tragic Love Story Carries a Powerful LessonDaniel Craig and Rachel Weisz’s Surprising Love Story Took 16 Years to Bloom

What Happened When Kristen Stewart Broke Free of Twilight
Career Growth

What Happened When Kristen Stewart Broke Free of Twilight

Kristen Stewart, 29, is an American actress who has been in the business ever since she was a child, starring in Panic Room and Speak, but her breakout role was as the infamous Bella Swan.Despite a long list of film credits to her name, Kristen rose to fame in the vampire melodrama movies series Twilight – a franchise that people around the world would either worship or loathe. Stewart never wanted to play along when it came to tabloids, but the vast number of complaints from Twilight critics and her romance with co-star Robert Pattinson pushed her right into the spotlight.How Kristen handled the spotlightTo a lot of teenagers, Kristen became an idol during the Twilight mania of the late 2000s. However, in trying to cope with all the attention received from the media, the actress was perceived as reluctant and moody.Apparently, the problem was that she wasn’t smiling enough while embracing her massive success. Many magazines at the time called her annoying, grumpy or awkward; every time you’d check your social media there’d be at least one meme with Bella’s “poker face."Even after the Twilight series ended and Stewart moved on to new projects, people didn’t cease to tease her – she seemed destined to be remembered as the girl from Twilight who couldn't emote.The unforgettable role that brought her fame and adoration from millions of fans turned out to be nothing more than a stepping stone for Kristen’s acting career.Her behavior and actions were wrongfully perceived, misunderstood, and she paid a great price for it – quite ironic considering her success, she became one of the most underrated stars.She just wanted people to like herYears after the Twilight era, Stewart stepped forward and talked about how she really felt about how others perceived her and how it affected her both personally and professionally.I am in no way rebellious. I am in no way contrarian. I just want people to like me.So contrary to some public opinions, she was neither awkward nor grumpy. She simply had her own way of adjusting to all the attention she was suddenly getting.At the height of her fame, Kristen was going through unbearable amounts of stress and admits she was impacted by people misunderstanding her at the time.I had panic attacks. I used to puke every day and very casually too... I always had a stomach ache and I was a control freak. I couldn't anticipate what was going to happen in a given situation, so I'd be like, 'Maybe I'm going to get sick'. Then I'd be sick.She now understands how fans could’ve misinterpreted her wariness to the spotlight for something else. While other movie stars smile and wave whenever there’s a camera near them, Stewart did the best she could to be cool about it, but her attitude didn’t bring the positive outcomes she expected.I think I’ve grown out of this, but I used to be really frustrated that because I didn’t leap willingly into being at the center of a certain amount of attention, that it seemed like I was an a**hole.So she took a different routeA lot of actors are remembered for some of their most iconic roles, but their talent is not limited to one performance. Kristen had to step out of all the fuss created by the Twilight saga and prove everyone that she is capable of so much more.She found her voice after opting for smaller moviesof the indie and art house variety. She’s forging the life she chose forherself and has pumped out some seriously great, yet underappreciated, work. From Snow White and the Huntsman to Certain Women, Personal Shopper to Clouds of Sils Maria (for which she was the first American actress to win a Cesar Award, the French equivalent of an Oscar), Stewart has proven that she is a versatile actress who can take on new challenges.I was finally given a chance to be looked at, not as this thing in this celebrity-obsessed culture that was like, ‘Oh, that’s the girl from Twilight.’Stewart is definitely more than "the girl from Twilight." She has evolved both professionally and personally and that can be easily seen in her attitude – Stewart is more confident and relaxed than she has ever been.And if you’re still skeptical about her potential and can’t the “Bella” image out of your head, take a chance and watch some of her other work. She has spent the last decade building a diverse, challenging filmography.Stewart has also delved into directing and even starred as the face of numerous stylish Chanel campaigns.Taking responsibility for who she really isAfter she and co-star Robert Pattinson made headlines with their tumultuous relationship, Stewart has described her sexuality as fluid. In 2017, however, she went viral with her Saturday Night Live opening monologue, containing a simple line that said “I’m like, so gay, dude” made the crowd go crazy!She is now in a happy relationship with screenwriter Dylan Meyer and even plans to propose. After breaking out in a way that felt inauthentic to her, Kristen Stewart focused on changing her reputation in the most inarguable way: by doing great work, regardless of what others expected from her. We’re happy to see thatKristen has managed to break out of that slump and show her fans that she is afar more talented actress than all those critics assumed she’ll ever be.Rather than the helpless girl who couldn’t choose between a vampire and a werewolf, she is a now an award-winning performer who only takes parts that have value and meaning to her.

Melissa Benoist Reveals How She Broke Free of Her Abusive Partner
Heartbreak

Melissa Benoist Reveals How She Broke Free of Her Abusive Partner

Melissa Benoist plays the superheroic Supergirl on TV, but a new emotional video shows why she’s an inspiration in real life, too.The star of Supergirl and Glee revealed she’d survived months of domestic abuse in a previous relationship via a 14-minute Instagram video posted on Wednesday."I am a survivor of domestic violence, or IPV, intimate partner violence,” she said at the start of the video, mincing no words in sharing her scary but all-too-relatable story.Melissa's storyShe met her abuser when she was just coming out of relationship and only interested in becoming friends, however, they quickly evolved into dating. What followed was a “runway freight train” of an abusive relationship that began with emotional manipulation and jealousy."Work in general was a touchy subject," Melissa recalled. "He didn't want me ever kissing or even having flirtatious scenes with men, which was very hard for me to avoid, so I began turning down auditions, job offers, test deals and friendships, because I didn't want to hurt him."Benoist never named the man who had been abusing her but said the physical violence began five months into their relationship, when her younger former partner threw a smoothie at her face. It escalated from there"I learned what it felt like to be pinned down and slapped repeatedly, punched so hard I felt the wind go out of me, dragged by my hair across pavement, head-butted, pinched until my skin broke, slammed against the wall so hard the drywall broke, choked," Melissa confessed. When she locked herself in rooms, she said, the door was broken down, and she learned not to value property or "myself."Still, she couldn't break free of the relationship yet. "Deep down I never believed he would change, I just fooled myself into thinking I could help him. Someone had to let him know his behavior wasn't okay, and who better than the one he was taking it out on?"How she broke freeThings hit a breaking point when he threw an iPhone at Melissa's face. That action tore her iris, ruptured her eyeball, and broke her nose. Melissa and her partner lied to the police. She even had to cover up the truth with a silly anecdote explaining away the injury on Jimmy Fallon's show. But something had shifted in Melissa, and she soon confided in a friend about what was going on. "The more people I let in, the more I was bolstered," she said. As she received more support and experienced positive, healthy bonds with other people, Melissa found the strength and courage to break away from that toxic relationship.None of this is salacious news, it was my reality. What I went through caused a tectonic shift in my outlook on life.Why she's speaking out nowAccording to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in four men have experienced some kind of violence from their partners; one in seven women and one in 25 men have been injured by their partners."I want those statistics to change, and I hope that telling my story will prevent more stories like this from happening," Melissa explained. "If you are enduring what I went through and you see this, you might be able to find the tiny straw that will break the camel's back."Melissa is determined to use this terrible time in her life can be used as a way to help others. Since she came forward, a conversation surrounding domestic abuse has been generated by fans and Melissa's co-workers in support of her.Supergirl co-creator Ali Adler wrote on Twitter: "If it can happen to #SUPERGIRL it can happen to anyone. So proud of @MelissaBenoist for speaking about her experience."The show's executive producers Greg Berlanti and SarahSchechter described her as a "hero" and "extraordinarywoman" in a statement posted on Twitter.Melissa's story is a powerful reminder that you don't need superpowers to effect change in your own life, or the lives of others. She's also proof positive that surviving abuse doesn't mean you are weak-- in fact, she has shown true strength in breaking free and speaking out. We should all do what Melissa did: become our own heroes.More inspiring celebrities:The Misunderstood Brilliance of Pop’s Party Girl, Ke$haLizzo’s Journey From Rock Bottom to Radical PositivityDemi Lovato Has Moved Beyond Body Positivity– and You Should TooWhere Does Selma Blair Get Her Strength for Her Multiple Sclerosis Battle?

Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson's Tragic Love Story Carries a Powerful Lesson
Heartbreak

Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson's Tragic Love Story Carries a Powerful Lesson

When Liam Neeson was cast in 2003’s Love, Actually as Daniel, a widower forced to cope with the loss of his wife while raising her young son, he could never have imagined how much life would imitate art. In 2009, Neeson tragically experienced a similar storyline in real life when his wife of 15 years, actress Natasha Richardson, died in a freak skiing accident. Neeson was suddenly left alone, raising their` two boys, Micheál and Daniel, and trying to wrap his head around the unbelievable loss of the love of his life. Here’s what their beautiful romance can teach us about love, loss, and the power of a truly unbreakable bond. Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson's love story teaches us:Their connection was instant but incovenientLiam Neeson and Natasha Richardson first met when they were cast opposite each other in a Broadway rendition of Anna Christie in 1993. The timing wasn’t exactly perfect, but their attraction was instant. Their chemistry on-stage was undeniable and garnered them plenty of critical acclaim — both were nominated for Tony awards — and endless headlines. Speaking about their life-changing connection, Neeson told 60 Minutes, "I'd never had that kind of an explosive chemistry situation with an actor, or actress.” He continued, “We had just this wonderful kind of dance — free dance on stage every night. She and I were like [Fred] Astaire and [Ginger] Rogers."It was anything but easy Due to Richardson’s relationship status at the time, the pair soon became the subject of numerous tabloid reports filled with rumors of an affair. It was anything but easy to navigate the mounting headlines, especially for Richardson. In an interview with Country Living, the late actress admitted, "It was not an easy time when I met Liam. Working with him, what happened between us, and that becoming public knowledge in conjunction with my marriage falling apart, was kind of bad timing.” Even so, she didn’t let the negativity spoil her desire. “I fell very much in love with him,” she revealed. She also didn’t allow Neeson’s reputation as a womanizer to stop her from following her heart. Rather, she told Country Living how she tried to find the bright side, saying, "I'm pleased that women fall in love with him because I know why." Natasha went all inAccording to the NY Daily News, a month or so after Anna Christie finished its theater run, Richardson’s four-year marriage officially ended, but that didn’t exactly pave the way for her and Neeson’s feelings to flourish. They still had some hurdles to overcome, as Neeson left her and flew off to Poland to shoot Schindler's List. Again, the actress didn’t allow the imperfections of their situation to faze her. When Neeson sent her a cheeky note for her 30th birthday that read, "You're catching up with me. Lots of love," she went for it. Putting her cards on the table, she quipped back:This is like a letter from a buddy. What is our relationship? It was that simple comment that pushed Neeson to act, and act fast. No longer playing coy, he reciprocated her feelings in full and they were married in July 1994. As the Taken star told the NY Daily News, "That was when I knew I really loved this person. I thought, 'This is real and genuine and is something that has to be protected.’” Their happily-ever-after didn't last foreverNeeson and Richardson enjoyed 15 years of wedded bliss, welcoming their first son, Micheál, in 1995 and, just 18 months later, their second son, Daniel. Then the unthinkable happened.It was 2009 when Natasha Richardson traveled to Quebec’s Mont Tremblant mountain for a beginner’s skiing lesson. While there, she had a small fall, but a medical team gave her the all-clear. Things quickly took a turn for the worse once she returned to her room and she was rushed to a Montreal hospital, as Neeson (who was on set in Toronto) rushed to be by her side. Liam didn’t open up about his tragic loss until years later.In 2014, he remembered that day on 60 Minutes, saying, “I was told she was brain dead. And seeing this X-ray it was, like, ‘Wow.’” He recalled their final moments together, noting, “She was on life support and stuff. And I went in to her and told her I loved her. Said, ‘Sweetie, you’re not coming back from this. You’ve banged your head. It’s – I don’t know if you can hear me, but that’s – this is what’s gone down. And we’re bringing ya back to New York. All your family and friends will come.’ And that was more or less it.”Except it wasn’t. He still needed to make the hardest decision of all, but he knew he had to do what was best for his wife. Neeson continued, "She and I had made a pact. If any of us got into a vegetative state that we'd pull the plug. So when I saw her and saw all these tubes and stuff, that was my immediate thought.”"Her death was never real”Can you ever truly recover from losing the love of your life? The answer is no, according to Neeson. As he confessed in 2014, "Her death was never real. It still kind of isn't. There's periods now when I hear the door opening, especially the first couple of years... anytime I hear that door opening, I still think I'm going to hear her."So he found the coping mechanism that was best for him — work — and dove all in. According to People, Neeson made a whopping 34 films in just nine years following his love’s untimely death. “I’m not good without work,” he told 60 Minutes. “I just don’t wallow too much. You know? And I just didn’t want to – especially for my boys – seem to be wallowing in sadness or depression.”As he moves forward, however, he’s never forgotten her (or everything she taught him)... and he never will. In 2016, Neeson got candid again, this time on Facebook, writing, “They say the hardest thing in the world is losing someone you love. My wife died unexpectedly. She brought me so much joy. She was my everything. Those 16 years of being her husband taught me how to love unconditionally.” What Liam has to teach usHe concluded with a valuable lesson that everyone should always remember: “We have to stop and be thankful for our spouses. Because, one day, when you look up from your phone, they won't be there anymore. What I truly learned most of all is, live and love every day like it's your last. Because, one day, it will be." That is as true as it gets. The lessons we can learn from Liam and Natasha's love don't stop there either. Liam applied what Natasha taught him to both his work and his family life: loving his sons unconditionally and channeling his pain into positivity. Even when love seems like it's been lost forever, we can keep it alive by living our lives to the fullest.More inspiring celebrity stories:When Luke Bryan's Sister Died, He Adopted Her Orphaned ChildrenMeryl Streep Fought Through the Tragic Loss of Her First Love to Find HappinessAriana Grande is Proof of the Power of Crying in PublicWhen Michelle Dockery Lost Her Fiancé, She Channeled Her Grief Into Downton Abbey

How Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson’s Feud Started— and How They Ended It
Success Stories

How Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson’s Feud Started— and How They Ended It

The Fast and Furious series is a study in underestimation and contradiction: the franchise was a critical failure until its fifth installment, and despite the franchise grossing $5 billion and boasting some of the most absurd vehicular stunts ever committed to film, its stars insist that the series all comes down to family. Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson’s feud, which began on set and made its way into the press, is a reflection of these contradictions. Every time the book seems closed on the much-reported story, either Vin or Dwayne refuels the fire with a social media post, and it feels like we never truly know where they stand with each other.How did this now infamous feud begin? Who, if anyone, is to blame? And why did the two action powerhouses and co-stars manage to quash their conflict— hopefully for good?What was Vin and Dwayne's feud really about?Vin's furious determinationVin Diesel’s side of the story begins in New York, where a young Vin searched for a place he could fit in as a multicultural boy passionate about acting and Dungeons & Dragons. He found refuge in the theatre and honed his acting skills for years. Though he struggled to break into Hollywood due to his “ambiguous” background, Vin's conviction in what he was meant to do never wavered.I know as sure as I’m breathing, I’ll be the biggest movie star in the world. There wasn’t a hair of doubt.Finally, in the early 2000s, Vin broke through with a string of hits: Pitch Black, XxX, and of course, The Fast and the Furious. These roles cemented Vin as an action star with the latter film, a crime/street racing action movie, introducing him not only to his best friend, Paul Walker, but also providing him the opportunity to build himself a multi-cultural Hollywood family while developing the Fast and Furious sequels into a record-busting box office powerhouse.The Rock's meteoric riseMeanwhile, in Hawaii, a young Samoan-Canadian football star was torn between pursuing a pro sports career and following in his family’s footsteps as professional wrestlers. Dwayne Johnson became known as The Rock after making his WWE debut. His theatrical personality, natural charm, and powerful physique made him one of the most popular stars in the WWE and he made his mark as one of the greatest performers in the franchise. But that wasn’t his only dream.They said what do you want to accomplish? I said I want to accomplish the world. Because of my ambition.In the early 2000s, Dwayne stepped away from the ring to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He starred in several action movies, gradually working his way to the top of Hollywood over the next decade. Then the struggling Fast and Furious franchise came knocking on his door.Their furious feudDwayne Johnson’s triumphant debut as Luke Hobbs in Fast Five played a part in the movie’s smashing success at the box office and positive critical reception. He was widely credited with reviving the series that Vin had spent years building.How to re-ignite an ageing franchise? Drop [Dwayne Johnson] on it.EmpireIt seemed like the ideal partnership between action powerhouses, but behind the scenes, there was trouble in paradise.Reports of an on-set feud between Dwayne and Vin went public after Dwayne shared a photo on Instagram with this caption about his unnamed male co-stars:Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t.Speculation was rampant that Dwayne was criticizing Vin and the roar only grew louder when he posted another photo that thanked members of the "Fast Fam"— except Vin.For his part, Vin dismissed the feud as two alphas butting heads, but reports flew that Dwayne was late to set, Vin was letting his ego control his producing, and that the two refused to film scenes together on The Fate of the Furious.It’s not always easy being an alpha. And it’s two alphas. Being an alpha is sometimes a pain.Vin Diesel, USA TodayWith Dwayne’s character getting his own spinoff movie, Hobbs & Shaw, rather than appearing in the next Fast and Furious movie, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Vin and Dwayne’s rift wouldn’t be mended any time soon, but once again, the action stars did the unexpected.Rising above the furyDwayne had a big summer: the premiere of Hobbs & Shaw was quickly followed by his wedding to longtime love Lauren Hashian.Despite the stories about Vin resenting the new spinoff, Vin took time out from filming Fast & Furious 9 to congratulate Dwayne on both his successful movie and his new marriage. “Real shoutout to Dwayne and Jason— by the way, congratulations on your wedding, Dwayne. Lauren’s a special girl and you have a beautiful family.The man Vin’s kids call “Uncle Dwayne” responded by thanking Vin for reaching out and inviting him into the Fast Family:I’m grateful for that invite. As you know, my goal was always, all these years, to come into the Fast & Furious world and help elevate the franchise in any way that I possibly could. If I could do that, then I’ve done my job, and now here we are 10 years later… We did it the right way, we did it the smart way, and again, brother, I appreciate your support.Vin and Dwayne were able to put aside their pride in order to keep building something huge and record-breaking together— and always, they bring it back to the family they found along the way:Family is gonna have differences of opinion and fundamental core beliefs. To me, conflict can be a good thing, when it’s followed by great resolution. I was raised on healthy conflict and welcome it. And like any family, we get better from it.What's your fight?Vin and Dwayne’s stories mirror each other’s in many ways, but their similarities also caused them to butt heads. The resolution of their “feud” is a reminder that we should face conflict head on and grow from it however we can. Backing down from your conviction is a very different thing from backing down from your pride.Only by setting aside their egos and putting their shared passion first were Vin and Dwayne able to move forward and expand upon their dreams. Letting your pride rule over your drive will only hold you back. Without ego and unresolved resentment weighing you down, you’ll be able to rise higher — and faster— than you ever have before.More inspiring celebrities:The Mistakes That Taught Terry Crews How to Be a ManWhy Eddie Murphy’s Movie is Dedicated to His Brother CharlieHeath Ledger’s Greatest Gift to the World Wasn’t JokerLinda Hamilton’s Terminator Journey Took Her Full Circle

Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz's Surprising Love Story Took 16 Years to Bloom
Love Stories

Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz's Surprising Love Story Took 16 Years to Bloom

He’s James Bond. She’s an Oscar-winning actress. When Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz secretly wed in 2011, they took the whole world by surprise. Not only is the pair exceptionally secretive, but they’ve also had an unconventional love story that is a prime lesson in the importance of timing, dating back ti the ‘90s. They then went their separate ways and didn’t land back in each other’s lives until years later when everything finally aligned. Let’s take a closer look at their surprising journey to the altar… What we can learn from Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz' love story:They started out as university classmatesAccording to Metro UK, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz met at university, long before either one of them was a household name. As The Telegraph reported, their first encounter was actually in 1994 at the National Theatre Studio. The Daily Telegraph's opera critic, Rupert Christiansen, told the outlet that he first saw the future lovebirds working together in a workshop play called Les Grandes Horizontales. Christiansen was a historical consultant on the play about 19th century courtesans and told the magazine: "Of course, neither of them were famous then so their first meeting went unrecorded.” He was there, however, and remembered, "The plot put them into a number of amorous clinches and there was a lot of faked sexual congress and 'tasteful' nudity."Their paths crossed again much later in lifeAs Craig and Weisz’s respective careers took off, their paths diverged as each found success, both in work and in love. It wasn’t until years later that their paths crossed again in 2010 when they were cast to play a married couple in the 2011 thriller Dream House. At the time, Weisz's nine-year relationship with Darren Aronofsky and Craig’s engagement to Satsuki Mitchell were both coming to an end. It was on the set of this film that they finally allowed themselves to explore deeper feelings for one another. So deep, in fact, that they wasted no time acting on them.Six months later, they were married in a secret New York ceremony in June 2011.In a 2012 interview with Marie Claire, Weisz was asked if she had experienced a sort of love at first sight on the film’s set and admitted, “It wasn't really like that. We'd been friends for ages."She'd never wanted mariageBefore Craig walked into her life, Weisz had spent nine years with director Darren Aronofsky and, despite their long-term relationship and the fact that they had a son, Henry, in 2006, they never walked down the aisle. So why was she in such a rush to say “I do” to him? As the actress told The Standard in 2018, Craig turned her beliefs upside down and changed her mind about marriage. "I never thought I would get married,” she confessed. “It was not an ambition of mine. It was the opposite. I couldn’t relate to romantic comedies — marriage seems to be the whole point of them,” she continued before concluding, "Then it just happened, happily, at a more mature moment.” The actor changed her outlook so much, in fact, that she couldn’t be happier as a bride. “I wear my ring with pride,” she stated. “I’m taken.” She continued that train of thought in an interview with The New York Times, gushing, "I’m very happy being married, very, very happy. I love being Mrs. Craig.” She added, “I’m Mrs. Craig on my checkbooks and passports and things." The secret to their success: secrecyNot only was the couple’s wedding top secret, but they remain exceptionally quiet about everything they do. As HELLO! noted in 2015, they’re "one of the most private couples in Hollywood.” As it turns out, there’s a very good reason for that: it’s not just a matter of privacy, but rather one of their keys to success. Speaking with MORE magazine, Weisz explained why she likes to keep their love out of the spotlight, saying, "He's just too famous. It would be a betrayal. You have to protect your marriage. When you're young, you tell your girlfriends everything,” she elaborated. “One of the great pleasures of not being an adolescent is that you don't have to share everything." When you're married, that door closes. The audience goes, and you're in your own life.They share in each other’s work (but not too much) Having a partner who’s just as successful as you are in the same field means you can bounce ideas off one another and share in each other’s successes and struggles. Which is exactly what Weisz and Craig like to do-- but not too much. As The Favourite actress told Good Morning America, she and her husband like to “talk about films that we love or plays. We love to go to see theater and discuss things that we've seen. We respect each other. We appreciate each other's work. He liked Disobedience very much."However, they do keep their acting talk in check because, as she told The Sun in 2013, "There is nothing worse than two actors getting together and talking about acting. It’s like the end — it’s the worst." So they focus on their other shared joys and interests instead, like cooking."I love to cook. Daniel is also very good at it," Weisz said in 2015. "We always enjoy trying out different kinds of cuisine and having fun with that."The biggest gift in their journeyAnother major priority is their daughter whom they secretly welcomed in April 2018. As with most other aspects of their lives, they’ve kept her completely out of the public eye. And when it comes to their older kids (Weisz has son Henry with Mother! director Darren Aronofsky while Craig has daughter Ella with ex-wife Fiona Loudon), they seem to be totally on board with their parent’s newfound love. In fact, when the couple tied the knot, Henry and Ella were two of just four guests. Not only do Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz show us that timing is everything when it comes to love, but they that when your bond is strong, you don’t need to seek validation from the outside world. Your relationship is yours and yours alone-- and you can define what makes you happy.If you're feeling like a hopeless romantic after reading this article, check out our long list of love quotes!More inspiring celebrity love stories:Carey Mulligan Married Her Childhood Pen Pal, Marcus MumfordJessica Chastain and Gian Luca Treasure Their Private RomanceStephen and Ayesha Curry’s Teenage Missed Connection Paid Off in a Big WayAdam Brody and Leighton Meester Refuse to Let Drama Poison Their Love

What Emma Watson Really Means When She Says She's "Self-Partnered"
Self-Development

What Emma Watson Really Means When She Says She's "Self-Partnered"

Emma Watson announced in a British Vogue interview that she has changed her relationship status from "single" to "self-partnered," and everyone's busy talking about it. Compared by many to Gwyneth Paltrow’s reframing of her divorce as "conscious uncoupling," Watson is known for her willingness to engage more deeply than most celebs with the social issues and activism she encounters, particularly around gender. As strange as it may sound, self-partnering is simply about trying to focus on being happy and complete as an individual— ultimately investing time in getting to know oneself without bowing to pressures to seek fulfillment in a partner. It doesn’t mean you’re not open to it. It just means you're with yourself first. Emma Watson is all grown up nowWhat is "self-partnered"?Watson recently told British Vogue that as her 30th birthday approaches, she’s finally happy with being single. "It took me a long time, but I'm very happy. I call it being self-partnered," she said. Let’s face it, the reality is, 2019 though it may be, the pressures facing single women on the precipice of 30 (or older) are still quite real. Personally, I found myself dealing with the breakup of a longterm relationship at the age of 29, and all I saw was my same-age ex-boyfriend getting hit on by women both "age-appropriate" and far younger. At the time, I was suffering a lack of confidence—out of character—which allowed mainstream notions of "aging women" and where we should be in life (with a man and kids—before it's too "late") enter my sphere. Close to a decade later, I now feel these prescribed pressures far less, having seen their true potential to block happiness—whether they’ve been fulfilled or not. It's about having choicesWatson’s role in the upcoming remake of Little Women is seemingly an extension of the way she approaches real-life feminism. To that end, she says that she’s dedicated to learning about and expanding on what being a feminist truly means. Although the story’s eldest March sister, Meg (who Watson plays) isn’t traditionally understood as a feminist—especially compared to the rebellious, free-spirited Jo-- Watson wants the world to understand, once and for all, that for her, feminism is about the right to choose, regardless of what it is that one chooses. "Her choice is that she wants to be a full-time mother and wife," says Watson. "To Jo, being married is really some sort of prison sentence. But Meg says, ‘You know, I love him and I’m really happy and this is what I want."Just because my dreams are different from yours, it doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.The importance of intersectionality in all thingsWhile Emma Watson has indeed been stealing headlines with her coining of the term "self-partnered," it’s important to point out that while the new label works to reframe singledom, it also happens to derail more complex, less snappy conversations Watson has had about her experiences learning intersectionality (aka intersectional feminism). What is intersectionality, you may ask? Why, the inherently interconnected nature of social categories like race, class, and gender, of course, and how they overlap to create systems of discrimination or disadvantage. As Lola Okolosie writes for The Guardian, Watson has done the work necessary to understand criticism she's received in the past."When I heard myself being called a ‘white feminist’ I didn’t understand (I suppose I proved their case in point). What was the need to define me — or anyone else for that matter — as a feminist by race? What did this mean? Was I being called racist? Was the feminist movement more fractured than I had understood? I began... panicking,” said Watson. “It would have been more useful to spend the time asking myself questions like: What are the ways I have benefited from being white? In what ways do I support and uphold a system that is structurally racist? How do my race, class and gender affect my [feminist] perspective?” She went on to thank other feminists for calling her out. Should we all be self-partnered?If the collective "we" should find ourselves willing to draw valuable lessons from the work and life (thus far) of Emma Watson, let it be the following: the importance of remaining open— always open— to new ways of framing experiences, new definitions of well-worn terms, and even altogether new ways of understanding the ways of the world at large. You do that, and you'll be your own best partner.More inspiring celebrities:Inside Missy Elliott’s Secret Illness and Triumphant ComebackMeryl Streep Fought Through the Tragic Loss of Her First Love to Find HappinessWho is the Real Angelina Jolie? Hero or VillainLinda Hamilton’s Terminator Journey Took Her Full Circle

Heath Ledger's Greatest Gift to the World Wasn't Joker
Celebrities

Heath Ledger's Greatest Gift to the World Wasn't Joker

Heath Ledger — the Australian actor who starred in 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight’s Tale, Brokeback Mountain, I’m Not There, and finally The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus — is most widely remembered for two things: his untimely death at the young age of 28 and his Oscar-winning role as the Joker in The Dark Knight. With Joaquin Phoenix’s remarkable performance in Joker, much has been made of comparing the two actors, trying to determine which is the greatest embodiment of the character. Both actors are lauded for elevating the comic book movie genre to a level of high art.But as undeniably remarkable as Heath’s performance as the Joker was, the obsession with that character overshadows the much deeper, more lasting impact he left on the world. Beneath the face paint and the unsettling laughter lay a complex performer uninterested in celebrity, a new father, and creative jack-of-all-trades. If Joker isn’t Heath Ledger’s real legacy, what is?His greatest passion was his familyHeath’s most tangible legacy is, of course, his daughter Matilda. Born in 2005, she was three years old when Heath died.By all accounts, fatherhood came naturally to Heath, who described Matilda as “beautifully observant and wise. Michelle and I love her so much.” He told In Touch, “Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It’s the most remarkable experience I’ve ever had-- it’s marvelous." Four weeks after her birth, Heath was relishing the active role he was playing assisting new mom Michelle in carrying for their daughter. "It's exhausting, but it's a pleasure waking up to your daughter.” He told The Sun Times. Being a father was his number one priority: "My duties in life are that I wake up, cook breakfast, clean the dishes, prepare lunch, clean those dishes, go to the market, get fresh produce, cook dinner, clean those dishes and then sleep if I can.”Raised by her mother Michelle, Matilda is now a teenager, but has been carefully kept away from the spotlight as both of her famously private parents would have intended.But Michelle has a constant reminder of Heath in their daughter, who keeps their love very much alive: “I always say to Matilda, 'Your dad loved me before anybody thought I was talented, or pretty, or had nice clothes.'"Becoming a father didn’t just enrich Heath’s personal life— it pushed him further creatively as well. "So fatherhood has changed me as an artist because I feel things on a deeper level,” he said in The Sun Times. "I think my performances will grow simultaneously."He wasn’t wrong. The Academy Award he won posthumously for his most widely beloved role, Joker in The Dark Knight, belongs to Matilda.Whatever Matilda chooses to do with her life, she has the inspiration of two talented parents who fearlessly pursued their creative passions.Having a child changes every aspect of your life — for the better, of course. The sacrifices are large, but what you get in return is even bigger than the sacrifices you make. I feel, in a sense, ready to die because you are living on in your child. Not literally, not ready to die — but you know, that sort of feeling in a profound way.Heath Ledger to Susan Chenery (2007)He didn't limit himself to actingClosely linked with Heath’s passion for acting was his love of music and his desire to be a director in his own right. He even reached out to his friend, musician Ben Harper, to compose a lullaby for Matilda. The song “Happy Ever After in Your Eyes” is a moving tribute to the love he felt for his daughter. Heath directed a music video for Harper in turn, as well as videos for several other artists. He’d spoken of his desire to direct a documentary about musician Nick Drake and to adapt 1984 by George Orwell, and planned to open a record label with Harper as well.His impact on other musicians can be keenly felt in the songs dedicated to him in the wake of his death, including “Vlad the Impaler” by Kasabian and “Perth” by Bon Iver.But his most striking creative legacy outside of his acting must be the Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship, funded after his death and presented by his family to 10 young actors, including Cody Fern (American Horror Story, The Assassination of Gianni Versace) and Bella Heathcote (The Neon Demon, Strange Angel). I'm not supernatural. I've done nothing extremely special to deserve the position. It happens every couple of years, and it's happened to hundreds of people before me.Heath Ledger to Newsweek (2000)He led Jake Gyllenhaal by exampleOf course, we can’t talk about Heath’s impact on young actors without singling out one performer in particular: his Brokeback Mountain co-star Jake Gyllenhaal. First hitting it off after their mutual failures at Moulin Rouge auditions, Jake says that his desire to work with his friend was a big factor in signing on to Brokeback Mountain: “To me, Heath was always somebody I admired in a way. He was way beyond his years as a human… I wasn’t really quite sure where we came from.”Their performances and chemistry in Brokeback Mountain earned both actors their first Oscar nominations, and Jake won his first major acting award for his role as Jack Twist.Jake had been acting since childhood but credits his experience working with Heath on Brokeback Mountain as the turning point in his art and career. “I look at the choices Heath was making at that time and he was years, years beyond me,” Jake recalled. “Incredible acting choices about craft that I didn’t understand yet… And now they are all things that are part of my process and how I process character.”When Heath died in 2008, Jake was understandably devastated. He didn’t make a movie until the following year.As he mourned Heath, Jake told People he came to a realization, “This is fleeting. None of the sort of attention or sort of synthesized success of a film matters really matters at all. What matters is the relationships you make when you make a film and the people you learn from when you’re preparing for a film. That changed a lot for me.”The care and creative freedom with which Jake has approached his roles him films like Zodiac, Prisoners, Nightcrawler, and Nocturnal Animals speaks to the lasting impact Heath had on his friend. As he told NPR, "I know that not only can this career end in a very short period of time… but also that life is precious. And I think losing Heath — and being a part of a family that was something like that movie we all made together — makes you see that, makes you appreciate that and hopefully moves you away from the things that really don't matter to the things that do."I try not to think about the outcome. If you look that far ahead, it sort of taints your choices as an actor.Heath Ledger to The Daily Telegraph (2007)What will your legacy be?Like so many lives, Heath’s cannot be boiled down to a single moment of greatness. Instead, the positive impact he had on the world was continually reinforced by his integrity, creative passion, and determination to challenge himself.Whether in a big-budget comic book movie or a home movie no one saw til years after his death, Heath found ways to push himself further. He refused to repeat himself creatively and embraced new experiences full-heartedly It’s true; not everyone can be the Joker-- but everyone can impact the world like Heath Ledger did by fearlessly pushing themselves forward and loving wholeheartedly.

Winona Ryder Introduced Christian Bale to the Love of His Life
Love Stories

Winona Ryder Introduced Christian Bale to the Love of His Life

Not only is Christian Bale a talented, Oscar-winning actor, but he’s also extremely skilled at keeping his personal life top-secret and far away from prying eyes. Bale and his wife, Sandra "Sibi" Blažić, tied the knot back in 2000 and have been inseparable ever since, which is truly rare in Hollywood. In fact, by A-list standards, two decades is almost a lifetime. So how has the couple managed to "beat the odds" and build such a long-lasting, unfaltering relationship? The secrecy certainly plays an important role — “[My wife] likes to be very private and, of course, I want to maintain that,” Bale told Us Weekly in 2017 — but there’s much more to their successful love story than that. Let’s take a closer look at… What we can learn Christian Bale and Sibi BlažićHow Sibi changed his stance on marriage Before Christian Bale met Sibi Blažić, he was totally against marriage. So much so that he actually told Easy Living (via The Sydney Morning Herald) in 2012 that he had never imagined walking down the aisle. He was completely turned off by the notion… until he met the right person, that is. "I never planned to marry,” he told the magazine, explaining, Everyone was divorced in my family, so I didn't have very healthy ideas about marriage. Then I met Sibi and suddenly it seemed [like] a fantastic idea.A model and makeup artist, Blažić was working as an assistant for Bale’s friend, Winona Ryder, when they first met. They quickly became smitten and, in 2000, Bale did what he thought he never would: he eloped to Las Vegas to say “I do!"They are proof that meeting the right person can change your outlook on life like you never imagined and shake you to your very core. She also changed his mind about kidsIn addition to turning Bale onto the idea of marriage, Blažić also changed her husband’s stance on starting a family. Her influence continued as the pair considered having kids and, in 2005, they had their first child, Emmeline. Baby Joseph arrived a decade later, in 2015. Speaking with Esquire in 2010, the actor revealed just how passionate he had become about living life as a family man, saying, “I’ve got incredible pride for my family."I’ve absolutely fallen into that cliché of a dad who could just happily talk about my daughter endlessly. Meanwhile, in a 2012 interview, he called fatherhood “the best thing ever” and admitted, “I don't want to leave my daughter's side for one second.”Christian finds strength in SibiWhen Bale won the 2011 Critics’ Choice award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Fighter, he took the opportunity to let the world know just how integral Blažić has been to his success. "I truly believe you can't celebrate something like this without having your partner with you,” he began before revealing the strength she’s given him. I know that it truly would be impossible to do it without her, and she's such a good strong woman. I owe everything to her.In 2017, he continued that line of thought, telling Us Weekly, “She’s probably the most strong woman I’ve ever come across in my life. And I — You’re making me all tearful!” he paused, showing first-hand how his wife brings out a different side of him. “I’m too much of a softie!” he continued. “I don’t think I am, but then you got me with that!” Sibi “terrifies” him Not only does Bale find strength in his wife, but she also keeps up with him… and keeps him on his toes. During a Wall Street Journal profile, Bale dropped a major bombshell when he revealed that Blažić had actually worked on The Dark Knight Rises with him as a stunt double. My wife was a stunt driver — she was chasing me through the city in Batman He noted, "She was driving one of the cop cars. She can do 180s and stunts and all that." He went on to say, “She terrifies me. My wife terrifies me.” In the best way possible, of course.Jump to his Golden Globe win for Best Actor for Vice in 2019 and, once again, Bale couldn’t help but thank his partner. "Thank you to my beautiful wife [...] I wouldn’t be working without her," he confessed before revealing just how much his family has changed him. He added, "And thank you for our beautiful children, Banana and Burrito. They’ve given me a love and a soul I never thought possible."Don't be afraid of how love will change youJanuary 2020 marks the couple’s landmark two-decade wedding anniversary and if there’s one thing that proves it’s that no matter what your preconceived notions may be about relationships, marriage or children, they can all change on a dime when you meet the right person.Allowing someone into your life who challenges your beliefs, brings out the best in you, and even “terrifies you” can be the best decision you ever make. As Bale has learned first-hand, stepping outside of your comfort zone in life, love and work is a surefire recipe for happiness and success. More inspiring love stories:Carey Mulligan Married Her Childhood Pen Pal, Marcus MumfordAdam Brody and Leighton Meester Refuse to Let Drama Poison Their LoveMegan Fox and Brian Austin Green’s Divorce Wasn’t the End of Their LoveJennifer Lawrence’s Husband Found Her When She Wasn’t Looking for Love