Natalie Portman

Natalie Hershlag (born June 9 1981 in Jerusalem), better known under her stage name Natalie Portman, is an Israeli-American actress.

Professional life

Portman was discovered in a pizza parlor at the age of eleven by an agent for Revlon, who offered an opportunity to model. Soon she was introduced to acting talent scouts and made her movie début at the age of twelve playing a child who befriends a much older assassin in Luc Besson's movie classic Léon (aka The Professional).

Related Topics:
Pizza - Revlon - Acting - Luc Besson - Léon

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During her teen years Portman played a significant role in the ensemble cast of Beautiful Girls and had minor roles in Everyone Says I Love You and Mars Attacks!. She was one of many celebrities who played themselves in the comedy Zoolander. Portman was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1999 for her role as Ann August in Anywhere But Here.

Related Topics:
Beautiful Girls - Everyone Says I Love You - Mars Attacks! - Zoolander - Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Anywhere But Here

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While pursuing her bachelor's degree in psychology at Harvard she appeared in the Star Wars prequel trilogy of movies, which were filmed during her summer break from university. Among Star Wars fans she is known for playing the role of Padmé Amidala in ', ' and '.

Related Topics:
Bachelor's degree - Psychology - Harvard - Star Wars - Padmé Amidala

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After graduating from Harvard in 2003 Natalie had a small role as a young war widow in the Oscar-winning movie Cold Mountain. That was followed in 2004 by starring roles in the successful independent movies Garden State and Closer, winning a Supporting Actress Golden Globe for her role as Alice in Closer. She was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the same role.

Related Topics:
Oscar - Cold Mountain - Garden State - Closer - Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress

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Portman shaved her head for the film adaption of Alan Moore's V for Vendetta, set for release in early 2006. In it she plays Evey Hammond, the young woman the main character, V, saves from the secret police. With her new look Portman appeared as a presenter at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia in July 2005.

Related Topics:
Alan Moore - V for Vendetta - Live 8 concert in Philadelphia

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