Hayden Christensen was born on April 19, 1981, in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Alie, an American speechwriter, and David Christensen, a Canadian computer programmer and communications executive1. Growing up in Markham, Ontario, Christensen excelled in both academics and athletics, particularly in hockey and tennis1.

His acting career began serendipitously at age 8 when he accompanied his sister to a talent agent meeting, leading to his first commercial for Pringles2. By 13, Christensen was appearing regularly in Canadian television productions2. He landed roles in popular youth-oriented shows like "Goosebumps" and "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"3. His breakthrough came with a starring role in the Fox Family Network series "Higher Ground" (2000), where he portrayed a troubled teen dealing with sexual abuse and drug addiction32. This early work laid the foundation for Christensen's later success in more dramatic roles and his eventual casting as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels.

Hayden Christensen's breakthrough role as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy catapulted him to international fame. Initially, Christensen doubted his chances of landing the role, especially when he heard that established actors like Leonardo DiCaprio were being considered12. However, director George Lucas chose Christensen for his raw talent and chemistry with co-star Natalie Portman3.

The casting process was highly competitive, with over 400 candidates vying for the role3. Christensen's selection stunned the movie world, as Lucas passed over more well-known actors in favor of the then-unknown Canadian performer3. Despite initial skepticism from fans and critics, Christensen's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader has gained more appreciation over time, with his recent reprisals in Disney+ series like "Obi-Wan Kenobi" and "Ahsoka" receiving positive reviews42.

Hayden Christensen received widespread praise for his performance in the 2001 drama film "Life as a House," directed by Irwin Winkler. Despite the film receiving mixed reviews overall, with a 47% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics singled out Christensen's portrayal for particular acclaim2. Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly described Christensen as "a joy to watch" in her review2. The film, which tells the story of a man rebuilding his relationships with his ex-wife and teenage son after a terminal cancer diagnosis, showcased Christensen's acting range beyond his more well-known role in the Star Wars franchise12. This performance demonstrated Christensen's ability to handle complex dramatic roles and contributed to his growing reputation as a versatile young actor in Hollywood.