Gal Gadot Varsano is a renowned Israeli actress and model best known for her roles as Gisele Yashar in the Fast & Furious franchise and Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe. Her portrayal of Wonder Woman catapulted her to international fame, solidifying her place as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Gadot's influence extends beyond her acting career, as she was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people globally by Time magazine in 2018 and consistently ranks among the world's highest-paid actresses. Her other notable performances include roles in films like Red Notice and Death on the Nile.
April 1985: Gal Gadot's Early Life and Family
Gal Gadot was born in April 1985 and raised in Rosh HaAyin, Israel. Her parents, Michael, an engineer, and Irit, a physical education teacher, Hebraized their surname from "Greenstein" to "Gadot" before her birth. Her father is a sixth-generation Sabra, and her maternal grandparents were European. Her grandfather survived the Holocaust, while her grandmother escaped Europe before World War II.
April 1985: Gal Gadot is Born
Gal Gadot was born in April 1985 in Petah Tikva, Israel.
2007: Gadot Featured in Maxim and New York Post
In 2007, at 21, Gadot was featured in a Maxim photoshoot titled "Women of the Israel Defense Forces." This exposure led to her being featured on the cover of the New York Post.
2008: Gadot's Early Acting Roles and "Fast & Furious" Breakthrough
In 2008, Gadot starred in the Israeli drama "Bubot." After being considered for a role in "Quantum of Solace," she landed the part of Gisele Yashar in "Fast & Furious," showcasing her stunt work skills.
2008: Performance in "Tfos Ta'Festigal – Harpatka BaMetzulot"
In 2008, Gadot participated in "Tfos Ta'Festigal – Harpatka BaMetzulot," a popular Israeli musical show for children during Hanukkah. She showcased her singing, dancing, and acting skills, dressed as a mermaid.
2008: Marriage to Jaron Varsano
Gadot married Israeli real estate developer Jaron "Yaron" Varsano in 2008.
2008: Gadot Becomes Castro's Main Model
From 2008 to 2016, Gal Gadot served as the main model for the fashion brand Castro.
2009: Gadot's Military Service and Education
At 20, Gadot served for two years in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat fitness instructor. She later attributed her military experience to helping her secure the role in "Fast & Furious." After her service, she pursued law at IDC Herzliya college in Israel.
2009: Gadot Lands Role in "Fast & Furious"
In 2009, Gadot landed her breakout role as Gisele Yashar in the action film "Fast & Furious." Her military background impressed director Justin Lin.
2010: Gadot Takes on Supporting Roles
Gadot took on supporting roles in the action comedy "Date Night" and the action-adventure comedy "Knight and Day" in 2010.
2011: Birth of First Daughter
Gadot and Varsano welcomed their first daughter in 2011.
2011: Gadot Returns for "Fast Five"
Gadot reprised her role as Gisele Yashar in "Fast Five" in 2011.
2013: Gadot's Final Appearance in "Fast & Furious" Franchise
Gadot made her final appearance as Gisele in "Fast & Furious 6" in 2013.
2013: Gadot's Modeling and Acting Success
In 2013, Gadot's combined earnings from modeling and acting were estimated at NIS 2.4 million.
2015: Sale of Boutique Hotel
Gadot and Varsano sold their boutique hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel, to Roman Abramovich in 2015 for $26 million.
2015: Gadot Becomes the Face of Gucci's Bamboo Perfume
In 2015, Gadot was chosen as the face of Gucci's Bamboo perfume brand.
October 2016: Wonder Woman as UN Honorary Ambassador
In October 2016, to celebrate Wonder Woman's 75th anniversary, the UN named the character an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls. Gal Gadot, Lynda Carter, and UN officials attended the event.
2016: Gadot's Preparation for Wonder Woman and Near Casting in "Man of Steel"
To prepare for her role as Wonder Woman, Gadot underwent intense physical training, including swordsmanship, Kung Fu, kickboxing, capoeira, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Interestingly, she was initially considered for the role of Faora-Ul in "Man of Steel" but declined due to her pregnancy.
2016: Gadot's Modeling Career Flourishes
Gadot led international campaigns for prominent brands like Miss Sixty, Huawei, Captain Morgan, Gucci fragrances, Vine Vera skincare, and Jaguar Cars. Her modeling career led her to be featured on the covers of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Bride Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, UMM, Cleo, Fashion, Lucire, and FHM.
November 2017: Gadot Invited to the Academy
In November 2017, Gal Gadot received an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
2017: Banning of "Wonder Woman" in Certain Middle Eastern Countries
Due to Gadot's past service in the Israel Defense Forces, "Wonder Woman" (2017) was banned in Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, and other Middle Eastern countries. This ban underscored the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on the film industry.
2017: Birth of Second Daughter
Gadot and Varsano welcomed their second daughter in 2017.
2017: Gadot Tops FHM's 100 Sexiest Women List
In 2017, FHM ranked Gal Gadot as number one on their "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list.
2017: Gadot Stars in "Wonder Woman" and "Justice League"
In 2017, Gal Gadot starred in her solo film as "Wonder Woman." She also reprised her role in the ensemble film "Justice League."
2018: Gadot Becomes Brand Ambassador for Revlon and Reebok
Gadot expanded her brand portfolio in 2018 by becoming a brand ambassador for Revlon and Reebok, appearing in their respective "Live Boldly" and "Be More Human" campaigns.
2018: Gadot Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Time magazine recognized Gal Gadot as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. Forbes also ranked her as the tenth highest-paid actress globally.
October 2019: Pilot Wave Production Company Launch and Upcoming Projects
In October 2019, Gadot and her husband, Jaron "Yaron" Varsano, launched their production company, Pilot Wave. They announced plans for an Apple TV+ series about Hedy Lamarr and the Warner Bros. film "Irena Sendler."
2019: Formation of Pilot Wave Production Company
Gadot and Varsano established their film and television production company, Pilot Wave, in 2019.
March 2020: "Imagine" Video Backlash
In March 2020, Gadot participated in a celebrity rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" intended to uplift spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video faced significant criticism for being perceived as out of touch and tone-deaf.
October 2020: Forbes Ranking and "Cleopatra" Announcement
In October 2020, Forbes ranked Gadot as the third highest-paid actress globally, earning $31.5 million. Also, she confirmed her reunion with "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins for "Cleopatra," a film about Cleopatra.
2020: Smartwater Endorsement
Gadot replaced Jennifer Aniston as the celebrity endorser for Smartwater in 2020.
2020: "Wonder Woman 1984" Release
Gadot co-produced and starred in "Wonder Woman 1984" in 2020.
2021: Birth of Third Daughter
Gadot and Varsano welcomed their third daughter in 2021.
2021: Call for Peace During Israel–Palestine Crisis
Gadot's call for peace during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis drew criticism for her choice of words and her perceived support for Israel, sparking debates about the conflict and her stance.
2021: "Red Notice" Release and Critical Reception
In 2021, Gadot starred in Netflix's "Red Notice" alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. The film achieved commercial success but received negative reviews, with critics like Benjamin Lee from The Guardian pointing out her limited acting range.
2022: "Death on the Nile" Release and Reviews
Gadot co-starred in the 2022 mystery "Death on the Nile." Despite the star-studded cast, her performance was considered "underwhelming" by critics like Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times.
2022: Reflection on the "Imagine" Video
In 2022, Gadot acknowledged that the "Imagine" video was in "poor taste" but maintained its "pure intentions." Her reflection on the incident demonstrated a willingness to learn from public criticism and its impact.
2022: Banning of "Death on the Nile" in Certain Middle Eastern Countries
Similar to "Wonder Woman," "Death on the Nile" (2022) faced bans in certain Middle Eastern countries due to Gadot's past military service. This recurring situation highlighted the persistent challenges faced by artists and their work amidst political and cultural tensions.
June 2023: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Announcement
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced in June 2023 that Gadot would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024, making her the first Israeli to receive this honor.
October 2023: Open Letter Condemning Hamas
In October 2023, Gadot joined over 700 Hollywood professionals in signing a letter condemning Hamas, demanding the release of hostages in Gaza, and expressing support for Israel during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. This action further emphasized her position on the conflict and ignited discussions about the role of celebrities in global issues.
2023: Cameo Appearances, "Fast X," and "Heart of Stone"
Gadot made uncredited cameos as Wonder Woman in "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" and "The Flash" in 2023. She also returned to the "Fast & Furious" franchise with a cameo in "Fast X." Later, she led Netflix's action film "Heart of Stone," receiving generally negative reviews, with some critics commenting on her performance not gelling with the film's tone.
2024: Birth of Fourth Daughter
Gadot and Varsano welcomed their fourth daughter in 2024.
2024: Receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Gadot will receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.
2030: UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 5
The UN's Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.