Portman, Natalie (1981-…), is a popular American actress originally from Israel. She gained international notice for her role in several “Star Wars” motion pictures: Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (1999); Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones (2002); and Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith (2005). She played the character of Queen Amidala in the films. Portman received the Academy Award as best actress for her performance in the psychological thriller Black Swan (2010). In that film, she played a ballerina who lost her sanity in her quest for perfection.
Portman was born on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel. Her real name is Natalie Hershlag. She moved with her family to Washington, D.C., when she was a child. She later settled with her family on Long Island, New York. Portman made her motion-picture debut in the 1994 French action film The Professional. In that film, she played an orphan taken in by a hit man (hired killer). In 1997, Portman starred on Broadway in the play The Diary of Anne Frank. In 2003, she graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Portman’s other films include Heat (1995); Beautiful Girls and Mars Attacks! (both 1996); Anywhere But Here (1999); Where the Heart Is (2000); Cold Mountain (2003); Closer and Garden State (both 2004); Free Zone and V for Vendetta (both 2005); Goya’s Ghosts (2006); My Blueberry Nights and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (both 2007); The Other Boleyn Girl (2008); and Brothers (2009). Her later films include No Strings Attached (2011); Thor and Your Highness (both 2011); Thor: The Dark World (2013); Jane Got a Gun (2015); Jackie (2016), in which she played First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; Song to Song (2017); Lucy in the Sky (2019); and May December (2023).
Portman has directed a number of films, beginning with Eve (2008). She also directed one segment, and starred in another segment, of New York, I Love You (2009). Portman directed, wrote, and acted in A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015), based on the memoir of the Israeli writer Amos Oz.
