Natalie Portman has been a major force in Hollywood since her teenage years, earning acclaim for her intelligence, talent, and elegance. With an Oscar-winning career, strong personal beliefs, and a private yet fascinating family life, she remains one of the most respected actresses today. Here is everything you need to know about Natalie Portman.
Oscar-Winning Career
Natalie Portman made her film debut at age 12 in the thriller Léon: The Professional (1994), instantly grabbing attention for her mature and captivating performance. She continued to balance acting with education, starring in major films like Heat (1995) and Beautiful Girls (1996), while later earning a degree in psychology from Harvard University.
Portman achieved global fame as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, starting with The Phantom Menace (1999). Though the films received mixed reviews, her portrayal was praised and she became a worldwide star.
Her career took a darker, more serious turn with roles in films like Closer (2004), which earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination, and V for Vendetta (2005), where she famously shaved her head for the role. In 2010, Portman delivered the performance of her career in Black Swan, playing a tortured ballet dancer.
The role won her the Academy Award for Best Actress, along with countless other honors. She immersed herself deeply in the character, training in ballet for months and undergoing intense physical and emotional preparation. Portman has continued to choose a wide variety of roles, from Jackie (2016), where she portrayed former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, to her role as Jane Foster in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring in Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
Personal Beliefs
Natalie Portman is known for her strong personal convictions. She is a vocal advocate for animal rights and has been a vegetarian since childhood, later becoming vegan. She has been active in causes related to environmentalism, feminism, and social justice, often using her platform to raise awareness for issues she cares deeply about.
Portman has also been a supporter of the Time’s Up movement, pushing for gender equality in the entertainment industry. At the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, she famously called out the all-male nominee list for Best Director while presenting an award. Her beliefs often influence the projects she chooses and the way she lives her life, showing a strong commitment to making a positive impact both on and off screen.
Family
Natalie Portman keeps her family life very private but has occasionally shared glimpses into her personal world. She met French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied while working on Black Swan. The two married in 2012 and have two children, a son named Aleph and a daughter named Amalia.
Portman and her family have lived in various places over the years, including Paris and Los Angeles. She has often spoken about how important it is for her to provide her children with as normal a life as possible away from the spotlight.
Fun Facts You Might Not Know
Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem, Israel, and moved to the United States as a child. She holds dual Israeli and American citizenship.
Her birth name is Neta-Lee Hershlag. She adopted “Portman,” her grandmother’s maiden name, as her stage name.
She skipped the premiere of Star Wars: Episode I to study for her high school final exams. Portman is fluent in Hebrew and also knows some French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.
Besides acting, she directed a film called A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015), based on a novel by Israeli author Amos Oz. She has been involved in the fashion world, previously serving as the face of Dior perfumes, while insisting her campaigns align with her ethical beliefs.
Natalie Portman Today
Natalie Portman continues to balance her career, activism, and family life with remarkable grace. She remains a thoughtful artist who chooses roles that challenge her, and a person committed to creating change in the world around her. Whether dazzling audiences on screen, speaking out for causes she believes in, or raising her family quietly, Natalie Portman is a true icon of modern Hollywood.