Natalie Portman is an acclaimed actress and filmmaker known for her exceptional talent and versatility. Born on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel, she began her acting career at a young age and quickly rose to prominence with her captivating performances. Portman gained critical acclaim for her role as Mathilda in the film “Léon: The Professional” at the age of 12. She continued to impress audiences with her remarkable performances in movies like “Closer,” “Black Swan,” and “Jackie,” for which she received an Academy Award for Best Actress. Portman’s ability to portray complex and multifaceted characters with depth and authenticity has earned her accolades and a dedicated fan following. Beyond acting, she is also a passionate advocate for various social and environmental causes. With her intelligence, grace, and talent, Natalie Portman continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the world of cinema. In this list, you’ll discover 45 interesting Natalie Portman facts.
1. Natalie Portman was born on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel.
2. Her birth name is Neta-Lee Hershlag.
3. Portman's parents are Avner Hershlag, an Israeli fertility specialist, and Shelley Stevens, an American homemaker.
4. She has dual citizenship in the United States and Israel.
5. Portman moved to the United States with her family at the age of three.
6. She grew up in Long Island, New York, and attended Syosset High School.
7. Portman began dancing lessons at the age of four and eventually trained in ballet and modern dance.
8. She made her feature film debut at the age of 12 in "Léon: The Professional" (1994), playing the role of Mathilda.
9. Portman graduated from Harvard University in 2003 with a degree in psychology.
10. While at Harvard, she co-authored two research papers that were published in scientific journals.
11. She speaks multiple languages fluently, including Hebrew, English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
12. Portman was discovered by a modeling agent in a pizza parlor at the age of 11.
13. She turned down the role of Lolita in Adrian Lyne's film adaptation of the novel.
14. Portman auditioned for the role of Juliet in Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" but was not cast.
15. She received critical acclaim and won a Golden Globe for her role in "Closer" (2004).
16. Portman won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Black Swan" (2010).
17. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Closer" and "Jackie" (2016).
18. Portman is an advocate for animal rights and has been a vegetarian since the age of eight.
19. She directed and starred in her first feature film, "A Tale of Love and Darkness" (2015), which is based on the memoir by Amos Oz.
20. Portman played the role of Padmé Amidala in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy.
21. She was a member of the jury at the 61st Cannes Film Festival in 2008.
22. Portman is involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting microfinance programs in developing countries.
23. She has served as an ambassador for Free the Children, an international charity and educational partner.
24. Portman is an advocate for gender equality and has spoken out about the gender pay gap in Hollywood.
25. She married French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied in 2012.
26. Portman has two children with Millepied, a son named Aleph and a daughter named Amalia.
27. She shaved her head for her role in "V for Vendetta" (2005) and donated her hair to Locks of Love, a charity that provides wigs to children suffering from medical hair loss.
28. Portman is the first person born in the 1980s to have won an Academy Award for acting.
29. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2015.
30. Portman has been a brand ambassador for Dior since 2010.
31. She has a production company called Handsomecharlie Films.
32. Portman has been involved in environmental activism, including supporting the Plant a Billion Trees campaign.
33. She has been a guest lecturer at various universities, including Columbia University and UCLA.
34. Portman was named an honorary citizen of her birthplace, Jerusalem, in 2018.
35. She directed a segment of the anthology film "New York, I Love You" (2008).
36. Portman played the iconic role of Jane Foster in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Thor" films.
37. She has been recognized for her fashion sense and has appeared on numerous best-dressed lists.
38. Portman is a fan of the "Star Wars" franchise and has expressed gratitude for the role it played in her career.
39. She has worked with acclaimed directors such as Darren Aronofsky, Terrence Malick, and Mike Nichols.
40. Portman has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
41. She took a break from acting to focus on her studies at Harvard University.
42. Portman has been a vocal supporter of the Time's Up and #MeToo movements.
43. She has collaborated with various charitable organizations, including FINCA International and the Foundation for International Community Assistance.
44. Portman has been nominated for and won numerous awards throughout her career, including BAFTA Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
45. She continues to be a respected and influential figure in the entertainment industry, known for her talent, intelligence, and dedication to her craft.