Hayden Christensen didn’t exactly land in Hollywood overnight, but when he did, it was with a bang – and a lightsaber. Most people know him as Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars prequels, a role so iconic it’s practically become a meme (“I don’t like sand,” anyone?). But long before he was taking on Sith Lords, Christensen was a Canadian kid navigating the sometimes rickety ladder of early 2000s show business.
You might’ve caught Christensen in small TV roles – like playing a troubled teen in “Higher Ground,” where he first flexed those intense, contemplative looks that would later define Anakin. It wasn’t until “Life as a House” that critics really took notice; suddenly, he wasn’t just the kid who’d be Darth Vader, but a genuinely talented actor with some serious dramatic chops.
Behind the Scenes
But while many young stars would have surfed their Star Wars fame for all it was worth, Christensen hit the brakes. Rather than doubling down on red carpets and magazine spreads, he bought a farm back in Ontario and vanished from Hollywood for long stretches. “I guess I felt like I had this great thing in Star Wars that had been given to me, and why wasn’t I capitalizing on it?” he mused to the LA Times. “But that wasn’t the life I wanted.” Imagine leaving behind a galaxy far, far away… for tractor rides and livestock.
And therein lies some of his quiet charm: he’s never seemed especially interested in feeding the fame machine. When he does pop back up – as he did with his emotional return in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series – it feels intentional, like he’s showing up for the work, not the whirlwind.
His romantic life? Equally low-key, but still fodder for curiosity. Hayden and Rachel Bilson met filming “Jumper” in 2007, kicked off a romance, got engaged, and welcomed daughter Briar Rose in 2014. The pair split in 2017, but by all accounts, they’ve co-parented with a level of grace that’s not always easy to pull off in the public eye. No drama, no headlines – just two people raising their daughter as privately as possible.
Relationships and Rumors
Of course, being a heartthrob means everyone wants to know who you’re dating. Through the years, Christensen’s name has been linked with a few notable folks – there was Reena Hammer back in his early days, a brief rumor about Eva Longoria, and a flurry of speculation about on-set sparks with Sienna Miller while filming “Factory Girl.” And yes, every Star Wars fan wondered whether he and Natalie Portman had a secret off-screen romance. Sorry, everyone: turns out they were just friends, though their chemistry was real enough to launch a thousand fan theories.
Most of those tabloid stories have faded, leaving just a handful of confirmed relationships and a reputation for keeping things private. In an interview, Christensen once dropped this little gem: finding someone who understands your silences is more important than someone who understands your words. That tells you a lot about what he values – and maybe why he seems to steer clear of Hollywood drama.
These days, Christensen is single (as far as anyone can tell), focused on his career, and splitting his time between raising his daughter and diving back into the Star Wars universe. You get the sense he’s pretty happy with the balance – a little bit of stardom when he wants it, plenty of down time when he doesn’t.
Past Relationships
Rachel Bilson
Sienna Miller
Eva Longoria
Reena Hammer
Taylor Thomas
Natalie Portman
Hayden Christensen might forever be known as Anakin Skywalker, but the man behind the mask has carved out his own, much quieter legacy. He’s proof you can take your shot at the Hollywood big leagues and still come out the other side with your feet – or maybe boots – planted firmly on the ground. Whether he’s wielding a lightsaber or shoveling hay, that “down-to-earth Jedi” vibe seems to suit him just fine.