Born: Natalie Hershlag on 9 June 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel.

Natalie Portman is a Golden Globe-winning, Academy Award-nominated Israeli-American actress. Portman began her career in the early 1990s, turning down the opportunity to become a child model in favour of acting. Her first role came in the 1994 independent film Leon (also known as The Professional); however her breakout role did not come until she was cast Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999).

I'm going to college. I don't care if it ruined my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star.

In 2005, Portman received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her critically acclaimed performance in the art house drama Closer. She divides her roles between mainstream films such as Cold Mountain (2003) and art house films such as Garden State (2004).recent works include V for Vendetta (2006), The Darjeeling Limited (2007) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Portman has had romantic links with actors including Gael Garcia Bernal and Jake Gyllenhaal. She reportedly dated Nat Rothschild, of the famous multi-billionaire banking family, and recently, she was spotted with former male model Nathan Bogle at the U.S. Open in September 2007.

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