How Charlize Theron Has Schooled Us All in Sexiness

Updated on 8/8/2015 at 11:50 PM

Charlize Theron turns 40 years old today! We're getting in on the birthday fun by taking a look at some of the South African superstar's sexiest photos over the years. Charlize has starred in over 30 films, including Snow White and the Huntsman and Prometheus, and even took home the Academy Award for best actress for her role in Monster. But her early career in modeling definitely prepared her for a lifetime of sexy outfits and hot photos. Click through to see Charlize's hottest moments, and happy birthday, Charlize!

Charlize heated up the pages of Vogue in this bikini-clad June 2014 spread.

Charlize showed some skin at the September 2003 premiere of The Italian Job.

Charlize went for the gold while posing nude for Dior's J'adore fragrance in September 2011.

Charlize wore a bikini with her pups on the beach in LA during August 2006.

Charlize Theron donned a sheer shirt to the October 2002 The Truth About Charlie premiere in LA.

Charlize wore a sheer black Christian Dior dress for the May 2012 UK premiere of Snow White and the Huntsman.

In August 2003, Charlize wore a bikini to the beach in Malibu.

Charlize steamed up the beach during a Hawaiian getaway in December 2013.

Charlize wore a sexy black minidress as she posed with a Mini Cooper at the Tokyo premiere of The Italian Job in June 2003.

She bared her bikini body while celebrating her 38th birthday in Hawaii in August 2013.

Charlize showed off her mile-long legs in a fitted minidress at the Blockbuster Awards in May 2000.

Charlize wore a barely there tank top to a Dior pre-Oscars dinner in February 2007.

In January 2006, Charlize hit the red carpet at the SAG Awards in a backless black gown.

In September 2003, Charlize attended a press event in London in a pink top and low-cut jeans.

Charlize hit the October 1997 premiere of Devil's Advocate in a bandage-style red dress.

Charlize Theron was the golden girl at the 2004 Academy Awards in LA.

She showed some leg at the June 2008 premiere of Hancock in London.

She was still technically an unknown when she attended the Two Days in the Valley premiere in LA back in September 1996.

She channeled a bit of '70s-inspired drama at a Dior Beauty screening of Sleepwalking in March 2008.

Charlize showed some leg in a Dior dress at the Golden Globes in January 2012.

She showcased her gams at a Snow White and Hunstman event in Berlin back in May 2012.

She wore a sparkly minidress to the Elle Style Awards in February 2006.

She wore a skin-baring pink number to the Scientific and Technical Awards in March 2002.

Charlize looked white hot in a cleavage-baring Ralph Lauren gown at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in October 2003.

She rocked a bustier top and tight black pants at the MTV Movie Awards in June 2008.

Charlize wore a sexy, nude-paneled LBD at the CinemaCon Awards in April 2012.

All eyes were on Charlize Theron at the Oscars in 2000. She wore a gorgeous low-cut tangerine dress that showed off her curves.

Charlize Theron wore a dress with a plunging neckline at a premiere for The Italian Job in September 2003.

In February 2013, Charlize Theron attended the Oscars in a stunning white frock.

She showed off her figure at the MTV Movie Awards back in June 2012.

Charlize hit the beaches of Belize in a bikini in August 2007.

In September 1996, Charlize bared a lot of cleavage at the That Thing You Do premiere in LA.

Charlize Theron performed with Carmen Electra and the rest of the Pussycat Dolls in May 2002.

She bared her back and legs at the LA premiere of Reindeer Games in February 2000.

All eyes were on Charlize in February 2004, when she graced the Oscars red carpet and took home a best actress award.