Natalie Portman Bio
Natalie Portman (born June 9, 1981) is an Israeli-American actress, film producer, and director. With dual citizenship of Israel and the United States, she has garnered acclaim and recognition for her roles in a variety of films, becoming a well-respected figure in Hollywood. Portman’s career began in her teenage years and includes notable performances in blockbusters like the Star Wars prequels, as well as critically acclaimed films such as Black Swan, which earned her an Academy Award. In addition to her acting career, she is also known for her advocacy work in various social causes.
Early Life and Background
Natalie Portman was born Natalie Hershlag on June 9, 1981, in Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, at Hadassah Medical Center to Jewish parents. She is the only child of Shelley Stevens, an artist from Ohio, and Avner Hershlag, an Israeli-born gynecologist. Portman’s maternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Russia and Austria, while her paternal grandparents emigrated from Poland to Israel in the late 1930s. Her paternal grandfather had led a Jewish youth movement in Poland and went to Israel expecting to send for his family later, but they were killed in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Portman is a dual citizen of Israel and the United States. At the age of three, her family moved to the United States, initially living in Washington, D.C., before relocating to Connecticut and finally settling in Syosset, Long Island. While living in Washington, Portman attended Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and later a Jewish elementary school on Long Island. She studied ballet and modern dance at the American Theater Dance Workshop and regularly attended the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts. Portman has described her early life as ambitious, stating that she was different from other kids and worked very hard.
Path to Hollywood
Portman’s journey into acting began when she was spotted by a Revlon agent at a pizza restaurant at the age of ten. Although she turned down the modeling offer, she used the opportunity to secure an acting agent. She auditioned for the off-Broadway musical Ruthless! and was cast as an understudy. Shortly after, she secured a leading role in Luc Besson’s action drama Léon: The Professional (1994), adopting her paternal grandmother’s maiden name, Portman, as her stage name. Her performance as Mathilda, an orphan who befriends a hitman, received critical acclaim, despite initial concerns from her parents about the film’s explicit content. Following this breakthrough, Portman continued to balance her education with acting, making her Broadway debut in The Diary of Anne Frank in 1997 while still in high school.
Natalie Portman Career
Early Career (1994–1998)
Portman’s early career was marked by a series of notable performances. After Léon, she appeared in films like Heat (1995) and Beautiful Girls (1996), where her talent began to shine through. In 1999, she gained international recognition for her role as Padmé Amidala in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, which became a massive box office success, grossing over $924 million worldwide. This role established her as a global star and marked the beginning of her association with the Star Wars franchise.
Breakthrough (2004–2010)
Portman’s career took a significant turn in 2004 when she starred in Closer, earning her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and an Academy Award nomination in the same category. She followed this with a critically acclaimed performance in Black Swan (2010), where she portrayed a troubled ballerina. Her dedication to the role included extensive ballet training, resulting in her winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2011. Black Swan was a sleeper hit, grossing over $329 million worldwide against a $13 million budget.
Notable Works and Milestones
Portman’s signature works include the Star Wars prequels, Black Swan, and Jackie (2016), where she portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy. Her performance in Jackie earned her another Academy Award nomination, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses.
Natalie Portman Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Natalie Portman has received numerous nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Closer and Best Actress for Black Swan and Jackie. Her performances have consistently garnered critical acclaim, showcasing her versatility and depth as an actress.
Natalie Portman Awards Won
Natalie Portman has won several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Black Swan. She has also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for Closer and numerous other accolades for her performances across various genres.
Natalie Portman Family
Natalie Portman is the only child of Avner Hershlag and Shelley Stevens. She married French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied in 2012, and the couple has two children together.
Personal Life
Portman has been an advocate for various social causes, including women’s rights, environmental issues, and animal welfare. She is a long-time ambassador for Dior and has participated in numerous charitable initiatives. Portman speaks multiple languages and has expressed a strong connection to her Jewish identity, emphasizing her desire to raise her children with Jewish values. In early 2023, reports surfaced alleging an extramarital affair by Millepied, and in March 2024, it was announced that Portman and Millepied had divorced.
