Verified biography · current role
Natalie Portman Biography
Natalie Portman is an actor, producer and director born in Jerusalem and raised on Long Island. A cosmetics scout approached her in a pizza parlour, but she wanted to act; her early screen work included Léon, Heat and Beautiful Girls. She played Anne Frank on Broadway and Nina in Mike Nichols’ Central Park staging of The Seagull. Portman studied psychology at Harvard while continuing her film career, graduating in 2003 and later returning to give the Class Day address. At her Harvard return, she described overcoming self-doubt and choosing work by her own interests. The Star Wars prequels made her Padmé Amidala, while Garden State, Closer and V for Vendetta developed a varied adult career. Black Swan brought the leading-actress Oscar, and Jackie earned another nomination. Her independent-film work includes Annihilation, Vox Lux, Lucy in the Sky and May December; Thor: Love and Thunder returned her to Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor. She wrote and directed A Tale of Love and Darkness and played Fania in its Hebrew-language adaptation. Producing extends from Hesher and Eating Animals to MountainA, her company with Sophie Mas. She combined acting and executive producing on Lady in the Lake and acted and produced May December and The Gallerist. Recent projects also include Fountain of Youth and voice work in The Twits and Arco. Netflix confirms her acting and producing role in Lena Dunham’s forthcoming Good Sex. Her writing also includes the illustrated children’s book Natalie Portman’s Fables.
Biography · sourced and maintained
About Natalie Portman
Full name: Natalie Hershlag
Natalie Portman is an actor, producer and director born in Jerusalem and raised on Long Island. A cosmetics scout approached her in a pizza parlour, but she wanted to act; her early screen work included Léon, Heat and Beautiful Girls. She played Anne Frank on Broadway and Nina in Mike Nichols’ Central Park staging of The Seagull. Portman studied psychology at Harvard while continuing her film career, graduating in 2003 and later returning to give the Class Day address. At her Harvard return, she described overcoming self-doubt and choosing work by her own interests. The Star Wars prequels made her Padmé Amidala, while Garden State, Closer and V for Vendetta developed a varied adult career. Black Swan brought the leading-actress Oscar, and Jackie earned another nomination. Her independent-film work includes Annihilation, Vox Lux, Lucy in the Sky and May December; Thor: Love and Thunder returned her to Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor. She wrote and directed A Tale of Love and Darkness and played Fania in its Hebrew-language adaptation. Producing extends from Hesher and Eating Animals to MountainA, her company with Sophie Mas. She combined acting and executive producing on Lady in the Lake and acted and produced May December and The Gallerist. Recent projects also include Fountain of Youth and voice work in The Twits and Arco. Netflix confirms her acting and producing role in Lena Dunham’s forthcoming Good Sex. Her writing also includes the illustrated children’s book Natalie Portman’s Fables.
People also ask
Questions about Natalie Portman
Where was Natalie Portman born?
She was born in Jerusalem on June 9,1981 and grew up on Long Island.
Sources: Golden Globes · CNN
What is the origin of her screen name?
Portman is her grandmother’s maiden name.
Sources: CBS News
What did Natalie Portman study at Harvard?
She graduated with an A.B. in psychology in 2003 and returned to give Harvard’s Class Day address in 2015.
Sources: Harvard Gazette
What did she win an Oscar for?
Has she directed a feature film?
She wrote and directed A Tale of Love and Darkness and played Fania. The official production notes distinguish her creative roles from its credited producers.
Sources: Festival de Cannes / production
What has she produced?
Her producing includes Eating Animals, May December and The Gallerist. She executive-produced Lady in the Lake and is a producer on Good Sex with MountainA partner Sophie Mas.
Sources: IFC Center · Festival de Cannes / production · Sundance Institute · Apple TV Press · Netflix
What is her upcoming work?
April 2026 expectations: The Gallerist in late 2026; Good Sex in early 2027. Dates may change.
Sources: Harper’s Bazaar · Netflix
Who is her publicly acknowledged partner?
Music producer Tanguy Destable, acknowledged in April 2026.
Sources: Harper’s Bazaar · ELLE
What books has she recently praised?
Her August 2026 interview praises Famesick and No Straight Road Takes You There.
Sources: British Vogue
What music has she named?
In 2009 she named the Ying Yang Twins’ Wait (The Whisper Song) as recent listening.
Sources: Interview Magazine
What foods has she named?
Her 2018 interview names Van Leeuwen mint chip and matcha ice cream and describes cooking couscous and tagines.
Sources: Bon Appétit
How does she describe her exercise?
In August 2026 she named swimming, walking and Gyrotonics.
Sources: ELLE
Is Natalie Portman vegan?
She explicitly reaffirmed being vegan in August 2026.
Sources: ELLE
What skincare did she name?
Tata Harper cleanser and Dior cream; variants unspecified.
Sources: ELLE
What perfume did she name?
Possible 2025 options: Miss Dior Essence and Miss Dior Parfum. Dior ambassador.
Sources: ELLE
Does she have a publicly documented pet?
A July 2004 interview mentions her dog without naming it. That does not establish present ownership.
Sources: Blackfilm
What is her verified Instagram?
Her verified public personal account is @natalieportman. Its profile links @natsbookclub and @mountaina.
Sources: Instagram / Natalie Portman