"I think you have to embrace being a role model because you are in the public eye, and whether you like it or not, people are going to be affected by you positively or negatively."
~ Amanda Bynes
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Birth Name: Natalie Hershlag
Nickname: Nat
Birthdate: June 9, 1981
Place of Birth: Jerusalem, Israel
Height: 5' 2"
Fan Mail:
C/O ICM
8942 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills CA 90211
Tid Bits
�Turned down a role in "The Horse Whisperer" (1998) to act in "The Diary of Anne Frank" on Broadway.
�Can speak fluent Hebrew, French, and Japanese.
�Originally turned down the role of Ann August in the film "Anywhere But Here" (1999) because of the love scene between herself and Corbin Allred which required nudity. Susan Sarandon, said she couldn't continue the movie without Portman, so the script was re-written without the scene, and she accepted.
�Was a member of the environmental song and dance troupe The World Patrol Kids under her real name, Natalie Hershlag.
�Her mother is an artist, and her father a doctor. She is an only child.
�Was the first choice to play Juliet in the "Romeo + Juliet" (1996) movie but turned it down because of the scenes, and the age difference, between her and Leonardo DiCaprio.
�She was discovered in a Pizza parlor and was originally turned down for the role of Mathilda in "L�on" (1994) because she was too young.
�Before she was cast in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999), she had never seen the original 3 Star Wars movies.
�Grew up in Syosset, Long Island, New York, where her parents still reside.
�Natalie was born on her mother's 29th birthday.
�Portman stage name, which happens to be her maternal grandmother's maiden name. Reportedly first adopted because of fears she would discredit her parents in case her performance in "The Professionnal" was unsatisfactory. She has since kept the name in order to help maintain her privacy and to keep her family out of the spotlight.
�Discovered at age 11, by a Revlon model scout in a Long Island pizza parlor. This led to her getting her own acting agent, which soon led to her highly successful film debut in "The Professional" (a.k.a. Leon in Europe).
�Acting Trade Marks: Portrays characters that are smart, mature, and grown-up for their age. She is known for getting in and out of character very quickly. Oddly enough, Natalie says she has terrible stage fright, and is afraid to miss her lines in live theater performances.
Her Story
Natalie Portman was born on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel as the only child of a Doctor (father) and an artist (mother, who also acts as Natalie's agent). At the age of three she moved to Washington . After a few more moves, her family finally settled in New York, where she lived until her graduation from high school. 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 �The Professional� (1994) (Leon in Europe). Although the movie was a huge hit it caused her family some problems due to her Lolita role.
She landed supporting roles in �Heat� (1995), �Everyone Says I Love You� (1996), �Beautiful Girls� (1996) and �Mars Attacks!� (1996). She then concentrated on High School in Syosset where she was a straight A student, she acted only during the summer. After turning down title roles in both �Lolita� and �William Shakespeare�s Romeo + Juliet�, Portman took on another title role with her 1997 Broadway debut in �The Diary of Anne Frank�. She stayed with the show until May 1998, during which time she received positive notices for her performance. After lending her voice to �The Prince of Egypt� (1998), she received worldwide fame as Queen Amidala in the highly anticipated $431 million grossing Prequel �Star Wars: Episode I � The Phantom Menace� (1999).
Natalie next starred in two critically acclaimed comedy dramas �Anywhere But Here� (1999), and �Where the Heart Is� (2000). Portman 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 upcoming Film �Cold Mountain� (2003). A psychology major, Portman made it clear upon her enrollment that, aside from her role as �Queen Amidala� in the �Star Wars� films, she would not accept any film roles for the duration of her education. As of 2002 Portman had stayed true to her word, and her fans eager to see serious minded actress back onscreen would have to wait until that year's release of the much anticipated Episode III due sometime in 2005. Natalie Portman has emerged as one of the most promising actresses of her generation with a talent and poise beyond her years, Natalie Portman has established herself as one of Hollywood's most talented and sought after young actresses.
Filmography
�Star Wars: Episode III.....as Padm� Amidala (2005)
�Large's Ark.....(2004)
�Cold Mountain.....as Sara (2004)
�Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.....as Padm� Amidala (2002)
�Zoolander.....as Herself (2001)
�Where the Heart Is.....as Novalee Nation (2000)
�Anywhere But Here.....as Ann August (1999)
�Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.....as Queen Padm� Amidala (1999)
�Hercules TV Series (voice).....as Mimi of the Gemini Twins (1998)
�Mars Attacks!.....as Taffy Dale (1996)
�Everyone Says I Love You.....as Laura Dandridge (1996)
�Beautiful Girls.....as Marty (1996)
�Developing.....as Nina (1995)
�Heat.....as Lauren Hanna (1995)
�The Professional....as Mathilda (1994)
