Natalie Portman through the years
Natalie Portman celebrates her 31st birthday on June 9. In honor of the Oscar-winning actress' birthday, take a look at her through the years.
Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman turns 31 on June 9. In celebration of her birthday, join us for a look back at her career so far.
Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman turns 31 on June 9. In celebration of her birthday, join us for a look back at her career so far.
Natalie Portman was born June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem. Her family relocated from Israel to the United States when Portman was 3. After a few moves around the northeastern U.S., the family settled in New York.
Portman was originally discovered by a modeling scout at a pizza parlor when she was 11, but she opted to pursue an acting career instead of modeling. Her first major movie was 1994's "The Professional."
Two years later she appeared in the indie drama "Beautiful Girls," alongside Matt Dillon, Timothy Hutton and Uma Thurman.
Portman kept up with her studies while pursuing an acting career. She was a straight-A student in high school and received a degree in psychology from Harvard University in 2003.
Portman's first big role was as Queen Amidala/Padme in 1999's "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace."
Portman and actor Liam Neeson pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode I: "The Phantom Menace" May 16.
Portman reprised her role as Queen Amidala for "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" in 2002 ...
... and in 2005's "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."
In between, she portrayed the character Sara in the Civil War drama "Cold Mountain" in 2003.
Portman arrives at the Los Angeles premiere for "Cold Mountain" on Dec. 7, 2003.
In 2004, Portman starred alongside Zach Braff in "Garden State."
That year also saw her co-star with Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Jude Law in "Closer."
Portman poses as she arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of "Closer" on Nov. 22, 2004.
Both Portman and her "Closer" co-star Clive Owen won Golden Globes at the 62nd annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2005.
In 2006, Portman shaved her head in order to appear in the role of Evey in "V for Vendetta."
She sported her buzz cut on the red carpet until her hair grew back.
In 2007, Portman starred with Dustin Hoffman in "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium."
The following year saw her play Anne Boleyn opposite Scarlett Johansson's Mary Boleyn in "The Other Boleyn Girl."
Scarlett Johansson and Portman pose during a photocall to present "The other Boleyn Girl" at the 58th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin on Feb. 15, 2008.
Portman at the 61st Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2008.
Portman and Ben Stiller (wearing a costume mocking Joaquin Phoenix) present the cinematography award during the 81st Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2009.
In 2010, Portman played ballerina Nina in the thriller "Black Swan."
Portman waves during the "Black Swan" red carpet at the 67th Venice Film Festival on Sept. 1, 2010.
The "Black Swan" role would earn Portman the Best Actress Oscar in 2011. She also met her future husband, ballet dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, while working on the film.
Portman followed up "Black Swan" with a much more lighthearted film, starring alongside Ashton Kutcher in the 2011 romantic comedy "No Strings Attached."
Mila Kunis and Portman introduce a clip from their movie "Black Swan" at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 30, 2011.
The year 2011 also saw Portman partner up with Oscar-nominee James Franco and funnyman Danny McBride for "Your Highness."
But Portman's most successful role of 2011 was that of Dr. Jane Foster in the summer superhero blockbuster "Thor," opposite Chris Hemsworth in the title role.
Portman poses at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2012.
Portman arrives at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 26, 2012.
Portman and her husband Benjamin Millepied arrive at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar party on Feb. 26, 2012. The two had their first child together, a son named Aleph Portman-Millepied, in 2011.
