Career Timeline of Natalie Portman: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Natalie Portman made an impact.
Natalie Portman (born Natalie Hershlag) is a dual Israeli-American actress, producer, and director. Rising to prominence early in her career, Portman has starred in both blockbuster and independent films. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, solidifying her status as a versatile and accomplished figure in the film industry.
1992: Audition for Ruthless!
In 1992, at the age of ten, Natalie Portman auditioned for the off-Broadway musical "Ruthless!" after being spotted by a Revlon agent, eventually becoming an understudy alongside Britney Spears.
1994: Leading Role in Léon: The Professional
In 1994, Natalie Portman secured a leading role in Luc Besson's action drama "Léon: The Professional", adopting her paternal grandmother's maiden name, Portman, as her stage name for the film.
1994: Filming Developing
In 1994, during summer break, Natalie Portman filmed a part in Marya Cohn's short film, Developing, where she played a young girl coping with her mother's cancer.
1996: Brief roles in Everyone Says I Love You and Mars Attacks!
In 1996, Natalie Portman had brief roles in Woody Allen's musical Everyone Says I Love You and Tim Burton's comic science fiction film Mars Attacks!
1996: Role in Beautiful Girls
In 1996, Natalie Portman was cast as a precocious teenager in the ensemble comedy-drama Beautiful Girls, directed by Ted Demme, following his impression of her performance in The Professional.
1996: Romeo + Juliet and Lolita Offers
In 1996, Natalie Portman was cast in Romeo + Juliet but dropped out due to her age. She was also offered the lead role in Lolita, but turned it down due to its sexual content.
December 1997: Debut in The Diary of Anne Frank
In December 1997, Natalie Portman starred as Anne Frank in a Broadway revival of "The Diary of Anne Frank" at the Music Box Theatre, running until May 1998. She prepared by visiting the Anne Frank House and interacting with Miep Gies.
1997: Filming Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
In 1997, Natalie Portman began filming the part of Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, marking her first big-budget production.
May 1998: End of run in The Diary of Anne Frank
In May 1998, Natalie Portman finished her run as Anne Frank in a Broadway revival of "The Diary of Anne Frank" at the Music Box Theatre, after starting December 1997. She prepared by visiting the Anne Frank House and interacting with Miep Gies.
1999: Role in Anywhere but Here
In 1999, after initially declining the role due to a sex scene, Natalie Portman accepted the lead role in Anywhere but Here, following a rewrite of the script.
1999: Release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
In 1999, during her senior year of high school, Episode I – The Phantom Menace was released, establishing Natalie Portman as a global star, with earnings of $924 million worldwide.
2001: Cameo in Zoolander
Also in 2001, Natalie Portman made a cameo appearance in the comedy Zoolander, alongside other celebrities.
2001: Broadway Performance in The Seagull
In the summer of 2001, Natalie Portman returned to Broadway to perform in Chekhov's drama "The Seagull", directed by Mike Nichols and co-starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
2002: Reprising Role in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
In 2002, during her summer break, Natalie Portman reprised her role of Amidala in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, which she filmed in Sydney and London.
2003: Brief Role in Cold Mountain
In 2003, Natalie Portman's sole screen appearance was in the brief part of a young mother in the war film Cold Mountain, after begging for the role.
2004: Campaigned for Senator John Kerry
In 2004, Natalie Portman campaigned for Senator John Kerry during the presidential election.
2004: Features in Romantic Comedy Garden State and Closer
In 2004, Natalie Portman starred in the romantic comedy Garden State, playing a spirited young girl with epilepsy. Later that year, she also played a stripper in Closer, a romantic drama where she performed her first nude scenes (which were later cut). Closer grossed over $115 million worldwide and Portman won a Golden Globe and received an Academy Award nomination for her performance.
2004: Traveled to Uganda as Ambassador of Hope for FINCA International
In 2004, Natalie Portman traveled to Uganda as the Ambassador of Hope for FINCA International, promoting micro-lending to help finance women-owned businesses.
2004: Brothers remake of Danish film
Natalie Portman starred in the drama film 'Brothers', a remake of the 2004 Danish film of the same name.
2005: Starred in V for Vendetta
In 2005, Natalie Portman played Evey Hammond in the political thriller 'V for Vendetta'. She worked with a dialect coach for an English accent and shaved her head on camera for a torture scene. She was awarded the Saturn Award for Best Actress for her performance.
2006: Hosts Saturday Night Live and Stars in Goya's Ghost
In 2006, Natalie Portman hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live. Later that year, she starred in Miloš Forman's film 'Goya's Ghosts'.
2006: Guest lecturer at Columbia University
In 2006, Natalie Portman served as a guest lecturer at Columbia University for a course in terrorism and counterterrorism, discussing her film "V for Vendetta".
April 2007: Discussed work with FINCA on This Week with George Stephanopoulos
In April 2007, Natalie Portman discussed her work with FINCA International and how it can benefit women and children in Third World countries on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos".
2007: Launched animal-friendly footwear brand
In 2007, Natalie Portman launched her own brand of animal-friendly footwear and traveled to Rwanda to film the documentary "Gorillas on the Brink".
2007: Appears in My Blueberry Nights and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
In 2007, Natalie Portman replaced Jodie Foster in the film 'My Blueberry Nights' and trained with a poker coach for her role as a gambler. She also appeared in 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium', a children's film, and in Paul McCartney's music video 'Dance Tonight'.
2008: Stars in The Other Boleyn Girl, Joins Cannes Film Festival Jury, and Directorial Debut
In 2008, Natalie Portman starred in 'The Other Boleyn Girl'. She also served as a jury member at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival and launched her production company, handsomecharlie films. Her directorial debut, the short film 'Eve', opened at the Venice International Film Festival.
2008: Supported Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
In 2008, Natalie Portman supported Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries before campaigning for Senator Barack Obama.
2009: Stars in The Other Woman, Greed, New York, I Love You, and Brothers
In 2009, Natalie Portman starred in 'The Other Woman', a faux perfume commercial called 'Greed', and in 'New York, I Love You', where she also directed a segment. She also appeared in the drama film 'Brothers'.
2009: Natalie's Rap released on Incredibad
In 2009, Natalie Portman's sketch 'Natalie's Rap' from her 2006 Saturday Night Live appearance was released on The Lonely Island's album, 'Incredibad'.
2010: Became Dior ambassador
In 2010, Natalie Portman became an ambassador for Dior, starring in multiple advertising campaigns for the brand.
2010: Stars in Black Swan
In 2010, Natalie Portman starred in 'Black Swan' as a ballerina. She trained for five to eight hours daily for six months and lost 20 pounds (9 kg) for the role. Her performance was acclaimed, and she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Controversy arose later regarding the percentage of on-screen dancing she performed.
2010: Nominated for VH1's Do Something Awards
In 2010, Natalie Portman's activist work and popularity with young people earned her a nomination for VH1's Do Something Awards.
January 2011: Appointed ambassador of WE Charity
In January 2011, Natalie Portman was appointed an ambassador of WE Charity, spearheading their Power of a Girl campaign.
March 2011: Promoted Hadassah Medical Center fundraising campaign
In March 2011, Natalie Portman began voluntarily promoting a fundraising campaign for Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem to raise funds for the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower.
2011: Signed petition in support of same-sex marriage
In 2011, Natalie Portman and her then-fiancé Benjamin Millepied signed a petition to President Obama in support of same-sex marriage.
2011: Executive Producer and Star in No Strings Attached and Thor
In 2011, Natalie Portman served as an executive producer and starred in 'No Strings Attached', a romantic comedy. She also played Jane Foster in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film 'Thor'.
May 2012: Worked with Richard Mille to develop limited-edition timepiece
In May 2012, Natalie Portman worked with watch designer Richard Mille to develop a limited-edition timepiece with proceeds supporting WE Charity.
2012: Supported Obama's re-election campaign
In 2012, Natalie Portman supported Barack Obama's re-election campaign.
2013: Starred in Thor: The Dark World
In 2013, Natalie Portman reprised her role as Jane Foster in 'Thor: The Dark World', which became the 10th highest-grossing film of the year.
February 2015: Signed open letter demanding Harvard University divest from fossil fuel companies
In February 2015, Natalie Portman, along with other Harvard University alumni, signed an open letter to the school demanding it divest its $35,900,000,000 endowment from coal, gas, and oil companies.
2015: A Tale of Love and Darkness Directoral venture
In 2015, Natalie Portman appeared in 'Knight of Cups' and also released her directorial venture, 'A Tale of Love and Darkness', based on Amos Oz's novel. She starred in, produced, and co-wrote the Hebrew-language film, which received generally positive reviews.
2016: Portrays Jackie Kennedy
In 2016, Natalie Portman portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the biopic 'Jackie', earning the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress and an Academy Award nomination. She also produced 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' and starred in 'Planetarium'.
September 2017: Recognized with the Environmental Media Association Awards
In September 2017, Natalie Portman was recognized for her work on the film "Eating Animals" by the Environmental Media Association Awards with the Ongoing Commitment Award.
2017: Second collaboration with Terrence Malick
In 2017, Natalie Portman's second collaboration with Terrence Malick was the experimental romance 'Song to Song'. Also that year, Portman revealed she has experienced sexual harassment or discrimination in almost every project she has worked on.
January 2018: Donated to the Time's Up initiative
In January 2018, Natalie Portman donated $50,000 to the Time's Up initiative.
2018: Criticism of Nation-State Bill
In 2018, Natalie Portman criticized the passing of the Nation-State Bill, describing the law as racist.
2018: Starred in Annihilation and The Death & Life of John F. Donovan and Vox Lux
In 2018, Natalie Portman starred in the science fiction film "Annihilation", Xavier Dolan's drama "The Death & Life of John F. Donovan", and played a troubled pop singer in "Vox Lux", exploring themes of fame and transformation.
December 2019: Visited Kenya with WE Charity
In December 2019, Natalie Portman visited Kenya a second time with WE Charity and spoke with young girls about the importance of education.
2019: Appearance in Avengers: Endgame and Lucy in the Sky
In 2019, Natalie Portman had a brief appearance in "Avengers: Endgame" using unused footage, and she starred in "Lucy in the Sky" as a psychologically troubled astronaut.
July 2020: Became co-owner of Angel City FC
In July 2020, Natalie Portman became one of the leaders in the creation of NWSL soccer team Angel City FC and also became one of the team's owners.
2020: Endorsed "defund the police" movement
In 2020, Natalie Portman endorsed the "defund the police" movement and co-founded and invested in Angel City FC, a National Women's Soccer League team.
2021: Founded MountainA production company
In 2021, Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas founded the production company MountainA and signed a first-look television deal with Apple TV+.
2022: Angel City FC began play
In 2022, Angel City FC, the National Women's Soccer League team co-founded by Natalie Portman, began play.
2022: Reprised role in Thor: Love and Thunder
In 2022, Natalie Portman reprised her role as Jane Foster in "Thor: Love and Thunder", where her character becomes Mighty Thor. Her performance earned her a Critics' Choice Super Award nomination and she was voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time by Empire magazine.
September 2023: Spoke at United Nations event to eliminate violence against women and girls
In September 2023, Natalie Portman spoke at an event for the United Nations Spotlight Initiative, urging member states to reinvest in the Initiative and end gender-based violence.
October 18, 2023: Call for Hostage Release
On October 18, 2023, Natalie Portman called for the release of hostages held by Hamas and condemned their actions. She also advocated for Israeli children who have been kidnapped and publicized information about Dror Israel on Instagram to raise funds for children near the Gaza border.
November 12, 2023: March Against Antisemitism
On November 12, 2023, Natalie Portman participated in the March for the Republic and Against Antisemitism in Paris in response to the rise in antisemitism since the start of the Gaza war.
2023: May December premiered at Cannes Film Festival
In 2023, MountainA's first project, "May December", starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and Portman received another Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
2024: Starred in Apple TV+ miniseries Lady in the Lake
In 2024, Natalie Portman starred in "Lady in the Lake", an Apple TV+ miniseries adaptation of Laura Lippman's thriller novel, playing a 1960s housewife turned investigative journalist.
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