Natalie Portman Biography
Natalie Portman, born Natalie Hershlag on June 9, 1981, is an Israeli-born American actress. She was born in Jerusalem to an Israeli father who later turned to a fertility specialist and gynecologist as well as an American mother.
With an extensive career in acting right from her teenage years, she has starred in various blockbusters and independent films, of which she has bagged multiple awards and recognitions, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Golden Globe Awards.
Natalie started her acting career when she was 12 years old, starring as the young protégée of a hitman in the action drama film Léon: The Professional in 1994.
The Oscar awards winning actress began modelling at the age of 11 in New York, a place she stayed with her family after they left Washington DC, the first place they stayed when moving from Israel to the U.S.
Wiki Profile
| Real Name: | Natalie Hershlag |
| Date of Birth: | June 9, 1981 |
| Place of Birth: | Jerusalem |
| Nationality: | Israeli-American |
| Husband: | Benjamin Millepied |
| Occupation: | Actress, Director and Producer |
| Net Worth | $90 million |
Early Life and Education
Natalie Portman was born in 1981 in Jerusalem, Israel to gynecologist father, Avner Hershlag and an American homemaker mother Shelley Stevens, who later became Portman’s agent.
When Portman was three years old, the family of three moved to Washington, D.C. Her father did a medical residency in Maryland and Portman attended the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School.
After three years, they moved to Connecticut, where her father continued his medical training.
When she was about twelve years old, the family moved to Long Island, New York, where Portman studied at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Nassau County, a Jewish elementary school.
She skipped eighth grade and attended public high school, graduating in 1999 with honors from Syosset High School in Syosset, New York.
Career
At age ten, Natalie turned down an offer to model for Revlon when she was approached by a Revlon agent about modeling for them.
She wanted to concentrate on dancing and acting as she had started dance class since at age four.
On November 18, 1994, at the age of 13, she made her film debut in Hollywood with the role of a young girl in “Léon: The Professional,” a thriller directed by Luc Besson in which she starred in the film alongside Jean Reno and Gary Oldman.
In 1995, she played ‘Lauren Gustafson’ in the Michael Mann crime film, ‘Heat’. The film was a commercial success and also earned good reviews from critics.
In 1996, she appeared as “Marty” in the film “Beautiful Girls”. The same year, she was seen in the Woody Allen film “Everyone Says I Love You” and the film “Mars Attacks!,” directed by Tim Burton .
In 1997, she played the role of “Anne Frank” in “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which was an adaptation of the book of the same name. The play opened at the Music Box Theatre in Manhattan.
In May 1999, she starred in the epic space opera film titled, “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.” The film was a massive commercial success but received mixed reviews from the critics.
In November 1999, she starred in the American comedy film, ‘Anywhere but Here’, which was directed by Wayne Wang. The film was based on a novel of the same name.
In 2000, she played the role of ‘Novalee Nation’, a seventeen year old pregnant girl, who is abandoned by her boyfriend in the film, ‘Where the Heart Is’. The film was the directorial debut of Matt Williams.
In 2001, she played ‘Nina’ in the play, ‘The Seagull’, which opened at Central Park as a part of the New York Shakespeare Festival. The play also starred Meryl Streep.
In 2002, she reprised her role in the sequel of the ‘Star Wars’ movie, ‘Star Wars Episode II: Attack of The Clones’. Film critics reviewed the film positively.
In 2003, she played herself on the ‘Oscar Needs a Change of Scenery’ episode of the American children’s TV series, ‘Sesame Street’. The same year, she appeared in the hit film, ‘Cold Mountain’.
Almost every year since 2004, Portman has featured in at least one film and the latest is Thor: Love and Thunder, a 2022 production.
Below is the list of movie productions she has been involved in:
| 1995 | Developing Heat |
| 1996 | Beautiful Girls Everyone Says I Love You Mars Attacks! |
| 1999 | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace Anywhere but Here |
| 2000 | Where the Heart Is |
| 2001 | Zoolander |
| 2002 | Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones |
| 2003 | Cold Mountain |
| 2004 | Garden State Closer |
| 2005 | Domino One Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Free Zone V for Vendetta |
| 2006 | Paris, je t’aime Goya’s Ghosts |
| 2007 | My Blueberry Nights Hotel Chevalier The Darjeeling Limited Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium |
| 2008 | The Other Boleyn Girl New York, I Love You |
| 2009 | The Other Woman Brothers |
| 2010 | Hesher Black Swan I’m Still Here |
| 2011 | No Strings Attached Your Highness Thor |
| 2013 | Thor: The Dark World Illusions & Mirrors |
| 2015 | The Seventh Fire Knight of Cups The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards A Tale of Love and Darkness Jane Got a Gun |
| 2016 | Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Jackie Planetarium |
| 2017 | Song to Song |
| 2018 | Annihilation Vox Lux The Death & Life of John F. Donovan Dolphin Reef |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame Lucy in the Sky |
| 2022 | Thor: Love and Thunder |
Awards
- Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role 2011 · Black Swan
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture 2005 · Closer
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama 2011 · Black Swan
- BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role 2011 · Black Swan
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role 2011 – Black Swan
- Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Actress 2016, 2011 – Jackie, Black Swan
- Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead 2011 – Black Swan
- Gotham Independent Film Tribute Award 2009
- Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Drama 2011, 2002 – Black Swan, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (Episode II)
- Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Action/Adventure 2002 · Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (Episode II)
- Saturn Award for Best Actress 2011, 2007 · Black Swan, V for Vendetta
- National Board of Review Award for Best Cast 2004 · Closer
- SFX Award for Best Actress 2007 · V for Vendetta
- San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress 2004 · Closer
- Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress 2010 · Black Swan
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress 2010 · Black Swan
- Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress 2010 · Black Swan
- Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress 2010 · Black Swan
- Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress 2010 · Black Swan
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress 2010 · Black Swan
Natalie Portman Net Worth
Natalie Portman is a famous Israeli-American actress, internet personality, and social media influencer with a net worth of $90 million.
Personal Life
She was romantically involved with Devendra Banhart, an American folk singer. Their relationship ended in 2008.
On August 4, 2012, she married her boyfriend, ballet dancer Benjamin Millepied, whom she began dating while shooting for “Black Swan.”
He was the choreographer for the film. They have two children together.
She is also passionate about politics and supports the Democratic Party. So far, she has supported all Democrats in the likes of Senator John Kerry, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
Social Media
- Instagram: @natalieportman
- Twitter: @OfficialPortman
