Natalie Portman Then and Now

Natalie Portman Then

Natalie Portman, born Natalie Hershlag on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel, began her life in a culturally rich environment. 

Her mother, an American, and her father, an Israeli who later became a fertility doctor, provided a unique blend of cultural influences. 

In 1984, the Hershlag family relocated to the United States, eventually settling in Syosset, Long Island, New York. 

This move marked a significant transition in Portman’s life, setting the stage for her future career.

After a brief period in modeling, Portman shifted her focus to acting, driven by a burgeoning passion for the craft. 

Her breakthrough came with the film Léon: The Professional in 1994, where she made a striking debut as a young girl named Mathilda. 

In the film, she starred alongside French actor Jean Reno, playing a character who seeks revenge and training to become an assassin following the murder of her parents. 

The role showcased Portman’s remarkable talent and emotional depth, establishing her as a promising young actress in Hollywood.

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Natalie Portman Acting Career

Natalie Portman’s acting career has been marked by a series of diverse and impactful roles, beginning with her early decision to adopt her maternal grandmother’s surname to avoid unwanted attention from her breakthrough role in Léon: The Professional. 

This protective measure underscored the sensitivity surrounding her character, which involved complex and potentially controversial themes. 

Portman’s early work continued with a notable performance in Michael Mann’s Heat (1995), where she played a troubled teenager, further establishing her as a talented young actress.

In the mid-1990s, Portman expanded her range with supporting roles in various films. 

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She appeared in Beautiful Girls (1996), a drama centered on relationships, and demonstrated her versatility with performances in Woody Allen’s Everyone Says I Love You (1996) and Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! (1996). 

These roles showcased her ability to navigate different genres, preparing her for her iconic portrayal of Queen Amidala in Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (1999). 

Despite mixed reviews of the trilogy, Portman’s involvement in the highly successful franchise significantly raised her profile and solidified her place in Hollywood.

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Portman take on a variety of roles that further demonstrated her acting range. 

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She played a conflicted daughter in Anywhere but Here (1999) and a young, pregnant homeless woman in Where the Heart Is (2000). 

Her academic pursuits also continued during this period; she graduated from Harvard University in 2003 with a degree in psychology. 

Portman’s critical acclaim grew with performances in Garden State (2004) and Closer (2004), the latter earning her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.

Portman’s career continued to thrive as she showcased her ability to adapt to different genres. 

In V for Vendetta (2005), she portrayed a revolutionary, and in My Blueberry Nights (2007), she took on the role of a brassy gambler. 

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Her portrayal of Anne Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and her role as a grieving military spouse in Brothers (2009) further highlighted her versatility. 

Portman also ventured into directing with segments in New York, I Love You (2009).

Her performance as the disturbed ballerina Nina Sayers in Black Swan (2010) was a career-defining moment, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress. 

This role also marked a significant personal milestone as she met her future husband, Benjamin Millepied, during filming. The couple married in 2012, though they divorced in 2024.

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Portman’s later work included a mix of genres and styles. She portrayed a dowdy cashier in Hesher (2010) and a scientist in the Thor franchise, including Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). 

She also starred in lighter fare such as No Strings Attached (2011) and Your Highness (2011). 

Her portrayal of an unfaithful wife in Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups (2015) and a hard-bitten pioneer in Jane Got a Gun (2016) continued to demonstrate her range.

In recent years, Portman received acclaim for her role in Vox Lux (2018), portraying a pop diva making a comeback. 

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However, her subsequent films, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan (2018) and Lucy in the Sky (2019), received less favorable reviews. 

Portman narrated the family documentary Dolphin Reef (2020) and starred in Todd Haynes’s May-December (2023), playing an actress researching a role involving a teacher with a controversial past. 

This ongoing diversity in her roles highlights Portman’s adaptability and enduring talent in the film industry.

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Natalie Portman Movies

• Léon: The Professional (1994)
• Heat (1995)
• Beautiful Girls (1996)
• Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
• Mars Attacks! (1996)
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Anywhere but Here (1999)
• Where the Heart Is (2000)
• Garden State (2004)
• Closer (2004)
• V for Vendetta (2005)
• My Blueberry Nights (2007)
• The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
• Brothers (2009)
• New York, I Love You (2009)
• Black Swan (2010)
• Hesher (2010)
• Thor (2011)
• No Strings Attached (2011)
• Your Highness (2011)
• Thor: The Dark World (2013)
• Knight of Cups (2015)
• Jane Got a Gun (2016)
• Vox Lux (2018)
• The Death and Life of John F. Donovan (2018)
• Lucy in the Sky (2019)
• Dolphin Reef (2020, narrator)
• May December (2023)

Natalie Portman’s Personal Life

Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied’s relationship began in 2009, following their collaboration on the set of Black Swan. 

Millepied, a ballet dancer and choreographer, was brought on board to choreograph the film, and his professional relationship with Portman soon blossomed into a personal one. 

Their shared passion for dance and artistry played a significant role in their connection, leading to a romantic relationship.

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In 2010, the couple took a significant step forward by announcing their engagement. 

Their commitment to each other was solidified with this public declaration of their intention to marry. 

The following year marked a joyous milestone in their lives: on June 14, 2011, Portman gave birth to their first child, Aleph Portman-Millepied. 

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The arrival of their son was a momentous occasion for the couple, adding a new dimension to their personal and professional lives. 

The birth of Aleph symbolized not only their growing family but also a period of profound personal happiness and fulfillment for both Portman and Millepied.

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Natalie Portman Now

Natalie Portman, now 43 years old, is a distinguished Israeli-born American actress renowned for her extensive and varied film career. 

From her early teenage years, Portman has built a reputation for her remarkable versatility, performing in a range of films from high-profile blockbusters to critically acclaimed independent features. 

Her career trajectory has seen her garner numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, underscoring her exceptional talent and enduring appeal.

In recent years, Portman has continued to make significant contributions to the film industry. 

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Her latest project, May-December (2023), exemplifies her ongoing commitment to diverse and challenging roles. 

In this film, Portman plays an actress researching a role that parallels a real-life affair, showcasing her ability to tackle complex and nuanced characters. 

This latest role further solidifies her status as a leading figure in Hollywood, reflecting her continuous evolution and relevance as an actress in an ever-changing industry.

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Natalie Portman Net Worth

Natalie Portman, an Israeli-born American actress with a net worth of $90 million, has achieved significant financial success in addition to her critical acclaim. 

Her substantial wealth reflects not only her prolific film career, including standout roles and multiple awards but also her savvy involvement in high-profile projects and endorsements. 

Portman’s financial status underscores her prominence in the entertainment industry and the considerable impact she has made throughout her career.

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