Personal Information
Real Name : Natalie Hershlag
Nick Name : Nat
Birth : 9 June 1981, Jerusalem, Israel
Height : 5' 3"
Natalie Portman Biography
Natalie Portman was born on June 9th, 1981 in Jerusalem, Israel, as the only child of a doctor father (from Israel) and an artist mother (from Cincinnati, Ohio), who also acts as Natalie's agent. She left Israel for Washington, DC, when she was still very young. After a few more moves, her family finally settled in New York, where she still lives to this day. She graduated with honors, and her academic achievements allowed her to attend Harvard. She was discovered by an agent in a pizza parlor at the age of 11. She was pushed towards a career in modeling but she decided that she would rather pursue a career in acting. She was featured in many live performances, but she made her powerful film debut in the movie _L?on (1994)_ (qv) (aka "The Professional"). Following this role Natalie won roles in such films as _Heat (1995)_ (qv), _Beautiful Girls (1996)_ (qv), and _Mars Attacks! (1996)_ (qv). It wasn't until 1999 that Natalie received worldwide fame as Queen Amidala in the highly anticipated US$431 million-grossing prequel _Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)_ (qv). Afterwards, she starred in two critically acclaimed comedy dramas, _Anywhere But Here (1999)_ (qv), _Where the Heart Is (2000)_ (qv), and _Closer (2004/I)_ (qv), for which she received an Oscar nomination. Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem, Israel, to Avner, a fertility specialist, and Shelley, an artist. At the age of three she moved to Washington, DC, but soon relocated to Syosset, New York, where she spent the rest of her childhood. At the age of 11 she was spotted by an agent searching for a child model, which started off her acting career. six months later at age 12, she debuted in the critically acclaimed film _L?on (1994)_ (qv), directed by 'Luc Besson' (qv). Although the movie was a huge hit, it caused her family some problems due to her Lolita-esque role. She then landed supporting roles in _Heat (1995)_ (qv), _Everyone Says I Love You (1996)_ (qv), _Beautiful Girls (1996)_ (qv), and _Mars Attacks! (1996)_ (qv). Afterwards, she concentrated on high school in Syosset, where she was a straight-A student. She acted only during the summer. Portman became a leading lady when she landed the role of Queen/Senator Amidala for Star Wars Episodes I, II, and III. This helped her win roles in such films as _Anywhere But Here (1999)_ (qv) and _Where the Heart Is (2000)_ (qv). She has also had a successful stage career, appearing in such plays as "The Seagull" and "The Diary of Anne Frank." She is now in working on her acting career and attending Harvard University, where she is studying to be a psychologist. She says that her future in acting will become very selective due to her choice to pursue psychology as a working career.
