It turns out Charlize Theron was briefly kicked out of America just as her career was taking off, because she was working illegally in Hollywood!

Charlz became an American citizen in 2007 but initially outstayed her welcome in the States when she was struggling to find work after her breakthrough role in Two Days In The Valley. As her work visa expired, Theron was still fighting for roles in Hollywood - and had just landed a role opposite Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves in 2007 film The Devil's Advocate when immigration officials caught up with her.

She explains, "I had to hold out for two years after playing the femme fatale in Two Days In The Valley because people wanted me to play that role. I think there was a conscious effort on my part to hold back and I didn't work for two years and I waited and really fought for roles in The Devil's Advocate and The Yards, Cider House Rules. I went out on auditions and flew myself out (for movies) and almost went to prison and didn't wash my hair to break this idea of what people thought of me. I was deported when I was making Devil's Advocate, but that will be for my book one day."

We’re glad it all worked out and she made us proud. Poor Patricia Lewis got offered a part in Baywatch, but couldn’t do it because of visa issues. Shame!

Photos: Elite Photo Agency