Scarlett Johansson Bio
Scarlett Ingrid Johansson is an American actress and singer, born on November 22, 1984, in New York City. Johansson’s films as a leading actress have grossed over $15.4 billion globally, making her the highest-grossing lead actress in history. With a diversity of roles, she has earned numerous accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and a Tony Award, along with nominations for two Academy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards.
Early Life and Background
Scarlett Ingrid Johansson was born on November 22, 1984, in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Her father, Karsten Olaf Johansson, is an architect originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, while her mother, Melanie Sloan, has worked as a producer. Johansson comes from a Jewish family that fled Poland and Russia, and she has referred to herself as Jewish. She has an older sister named Vanessa, an older brother named Adrian, and a twin brother named Hunter. Johansson also has an older half-brother named Christian from her father’s first marriage. She holds dual American and Danish citizenship. Johansson attended PS 41, an elementary school in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Her parents divorced when she was thirteen. She was particularly close to her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Sloan, and often put on song-and-dance routines for her family from an early age. Interested in a career in the spotlight, Johansson took lessons in tap dance and later enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.
Path to Hollywood
Johansson began her acting career at a young age, landing her first paid role at age nine as a sketch character on an episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien. She made her film debut in the fantasy comedy North (1994) and gained early recognition for her roles in Manny & Lo (1996), The Horse Whisperer (1998), and Ghost World (2001). Her breakthrough came in 2003 with Lost in Translation, for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress. This film marked a significant transition for Johansson as she moved from teen roles to more complex adult characters.
Scarlett Johansson Career
Early Career (1994–2002)
Johansson’s early career included notable performances in films such as The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World. Her role in Ghost World earned her critical acclaim and a Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2002, she starred in the horror comedy Eight Legged Freaks and continued to build her reputation as a talented young actress.
Breakthrough (2003–2004)
Johansson’s breakthrough came with her performances in Lost in Translation and Girl with a Pearl Earring, both released in 2003. In Lost in Translation, she played Charlotte, a young wife who forms a bond with an older actor, earning her widespread acclaim and a BAFTA Award. In Girl with a Pearl Earring, she portrayed Griet, a servant in the household of painter Johannes Vermeer, which further solidified her status as a versatile actress.
Notable Works and Milestones
Johansson’s signature works include Lost in Translation and her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career, including two Academy Award nominations in 2020 for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit.
Scarlett Johansson Award Nominations
Over her career, Scarlett Johansson has received several nominations, including two Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and multiple BAFTA and Critics’ Choice Awards.
Scarlett Johansson Awards Won
Johansson has won various awards, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress for Lost in Translation and a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for A View from the Bridge.
Scarlett Johansson Family
Scarlett Johansson was previously married to actor Ryan Reynolds from 2008 to 2011 and to Frenchman Romain Dauriac from 2014 to 2017. She is currently married to comedian Colin Jost, with whom she has a son born in August 2021. Johansson also has a daughter, Rose, born in 2014, from her marriage to Dauriac.
Personal Life
Johansson has been open about her experiences in the public eye, including the challenges of maintaining privacy. She has expressed her commitment to various charitable causes and has been involved in initiatives supporting women’s rights and anti-poverty efforts. Johansson is known for her strong political views and has actively participated in campaigns for Democratic candidates.
