In playing the Queen of Naboo in George Lucas’ Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999), Natalie Portman made a lasting impression as a sovereign devoted to her people, and also as a world-renowned actress. At only 18, she had already collaborated with such great directors as Michael Mann and Tim Burton.
After studying at Harvard, she made one ambitious film after another, from Anthony Minghella’s Cold Mountain (2003) to Mike Nichols’ Closer (2004), which offered one of her most interesting roles, as the first film that treated her as a woman.
ln 2007, she portrayed a poker player alongside Norah Jones in Wong Karwai’s My Blueberry Nights. All of these roles are marked by her ambivalent presence, a blend of strength and fragility (V for Vendetta, 2006, and The Other Boleyn Girl, 2008).
Her thirst for discovery led her from Amos Gitaï’s commitment with Free Zone to the Marvel Universe with Thor: Love and Thunder, by way of Terrence Malick’s asceticism (Knight of Gups, Song to Song).
Her career took a pivotal turn in 2011 with Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky’s thriller in which she played a schizophrenic ballerina. Her portrayal earned her the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Actress.
ln 2017, she was nominated for an Oscar again for her performance in Pablo Larrain’s Jackie.
ln 2014, the actress moved behind the camera and directed A Tale of Love and Darkness, an adaptation of the novel by Amos Oz.
Last year, she starred opposite Julianne Moore in Todd Haynes’ May Decemberpresented in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. She also produced the Apple Original limited series Lady in the Lakewhich is currently available on the streaming service Apple TV+ and marks Natalie’s TV acting debut.
Natalie Portman has tackled one demanding role after the next, shaping a protean and dedicated career. Throughout her journey, she has been able to prove her ability to portray all types of characters with depth and accuracy.
The great actresses, from Garbo to Dietrich, from Ava Gardner to Meryl Streep and Jessica Chastain by way of Marilyn Monroe, have all contributed to cinema’s mythology … So has Natalie Portman.