Hayden Christensen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 19th of 1981. His parents David & Alie Christensen are in the communications business "Christensen Communications". Hayden grew up in Markham, Ontario, Canada, one of four children (Kaylen, Hejsa, Tove). Although his aspirations changed and regardless of not having his father's approval, Hayden set out to become an actor when a chance encounter at the age of eight placed him in his first commercial, for Pringles. When he was thirteen he began his starring roles in several dramatic television shows. His big break came with Fox Family's troubled youth show Higher Ground.

Hayden has had quite notable performances in such films as The Virgin Suicides and the television movie Trapped in a Purple Haze. His role as the troubled, misunderstood teen Sam Monroe in Irwin Winkler's Life as a House won him 'Breakthrough Performance of the Year' from the National Board of Review. The film also placed him as a nominee for 'Best Supporting Actor' at both the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. George Lucas had already set his vision on the young and talented actor for the role of Anakin Skywalker in his final two Star Wars films, which became one of Christensen's most memorable roles.

Hayden then set out to star in Shattered Glass, quoted by some of the real Stephen Glass' colleagues as giving an eerie and uncanny portrayal.

Devoted and loyal, the family man currently resides in both Toronto and Los Angeles. When not working, Hayden enjoys spending quality time with his family - such as big brother Tove, hanging out with his friends, and exploring other hobbies such as the blues, jazz and piano.
Younger brother of Tove Christensen. Has a younger sister, named Kaylen (b. 1984), and an older sister, Hejsa. Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002. Was discovered when his older sister Hejsa, a former trampoline champion, was shopping around for an agent. No one was home to baby-sit him so he went along and it was suggested that he get an agent himself. One of Teen People Magazine's "25 Hottest Stars under 25" in 2002. Resides in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Attended Unionville High School, Markham, Ontario. He fractured his hand during the filming of a rather violent scene in Life as a House in which his character hits a wall. Grew up playing competitive tennis and hockey. A digital rendering of Hayden appears in the 2004 DVD version of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, as the spirit of Anakin Skywalker. This replaced Sebastian Shaw as the ghostly image that appears beside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda at the end of the film. Hayden said in an interview that he had been unaware of this change. Born on same day as Colombian actress Catalina Sandino Moreno, the lead in Maria Full of Grace. Graduated from Baythorn Public School in 1995. Was a "ball boy" at the Canadian Open tennis matches. Jumped out too soon during a match in which John McEnroe was playing, causing an interruption in play. He, his brother and their friends "kidnap" one another on each of their birthdays, drive to a location unknown to the birthday-boy and then spend the day riding dirt-bikes. Supports Manchester United Football Club. His Canadian father is of Danish and English ancestry, while his American mother is half Italian and half Swedish. His Italian maternal grandmother hails from Brooklyn. Named one of Teen People Magazine's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25" in 2005. His favorite scenes to film in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith were the scenes in which he acted with Ian McDiarmid. Named one of People Magazine's "50 Hottest Bachelors" in 2005. Competed with his sister Hejsa Christensen (the captain), brother Tove Christensen and a family friend in Eco-Challenge Fiji Islands. The Eco-Challenge consists of a 500-kilometer (300 miles) race that included the tasks of hiking, swimming, kayaking and mountain biking their way through the Fiji archipelago. Only 23 out of 81 teams finished this race. Christensen was one of the youngest competitors in the race. One of the youngest competitors in Eco-Challenge Fiji Islands. Is the only actor to have portrayed Anakin Skywalker and his Sith alter ego, Darth Vader, in the same movie, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. All other times, Anakin and Vader have been played by different actors. One of Teen People's "25 Hottest Stars under 25" in 2002 and 2005. He and Jessica Alba visited Bellevue hospital and spent time with little children, bringing them Christmas cheer while filming _Awake (2006)_ . Shares a birthday with James Franco. Is one of three Star Wars actors who has also appeared in a film directed by a fellow cast member. Frank Oz directed Ian McDiarmid in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Terence Stamp in Bowfinger. Hayden appeared in The Virgin Suicides, directed by Sofia Coppola. Is the third actor to play "Anakin Skywalker", and is the only who has played the non-Vader Anakin more than once. Sebastian Shaw played the role only in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, and had died by the time the prequels were made. Jake Lloyd played Anakin in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Hayden played the young adult Anakin in both Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. On the set of Factory Girl in Louisiana he shared a house with co-star Sienna Miller. Is partially of Swedish descent, as are his on-screen mother Pernilla August and son Mark Hamill from the Star Wars films.