Charlize Theron Shows Her Comedy Chops in "Young Adult"

Charlize Theron is not generally known as a comedic actress, but that’s just what she’s done in her new film "Young Adult."

Charlize Theron is generally known as a "serious" actress – one who does drama and does it well. She’s typically quick to smile, but comedy has never really been a strong suit. Anyone who saw her in the 2003 hit "Monster" can attest to that. In that film, the beautiful Theron was barely recognizable as a heavily-made-up homicidal prostitute. Theron, however, apparently has quite the funny side, one that she showed to Jason Reitman and that ultimately led to her getting the lead role in "Young Adult."

It happens that Theron saw Reitman at last year’s Oscars and told him that she liked "Up in the Air" and that she’d like to work with him. She then proceeded to tell him a dirty joke that was definitely not in keeping with the impression one typically gets from her, and that sealed the deal.

Notes Reitman, "I got a tap on the shoulder and I turned around and it’s all 6-foot-6 of Charlize Theron." For the record, Theron is actually around 5’ 10". He added, "I was really understandably intimidated." When Theron told him a bawdy joke, however, he had a different take. He notes, "I was like, ‘Oh! I like you.’"

Theron does an excellent job in the new film the two have worked on together, but it’s definitely outside her typical "zone." Notes Theron, "Most people who know me who have seen the film are not that shocked. The film is way more my personality and closer to anything that I've done."

By Buzzle Staff and Agencies