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 an Israeli-American actress, producer, and director. Rising to prominence as a teenager, she has starred in both blockbuster and independent films. She is highly acclaimed, with awards including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Golden Globe Awards.
1992: Audition for Ruthless!
In 1992, at the age of ten, Natalie Portman was spotted by a Revlon agent and, while turning down a modeling offer, she secured an acting agent and auditioned for the off-Broadway musical Ruthless!.
1994: Filming Developing and Enrolling at Stagedoor Manor
In 1994, Natalie Portman filmed a part in Marya Cohn's short film Developing and enrolled at the Stagedoor Manor performing arts camp.
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.
1995: Role in Heat
In 1995, Natalie Portman played the suicidal stepdaughter in the action film Heat, securing the part due to her ability to portray dysfunction without hysteria.
1996: Roles in Beautiful Girls, Everyone Says I Love You, and Mars Attacks!
In 1996, Natalie Portman appeared in Beautiful Girls, Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You, and Tim Burton's Mars Attacks!.
1996: Dropped from Romeo + Juliet and Turned Down Lolita
In 1996, Natalie Portman was cast in Romeo + Juliet but dropped out due to her age. She also turned down the role in Lolita due to its excessive sexual content.
December 1997: Broadway Revival of 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.
1997: Filming Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
In 1997, Natalie Portman began filming the part of Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
May 1998: End of The Diary of Anne Frank Staging
In May 1998, the Broadway revival of The Diary of Anne Frank, starring Natalie Portman, ended its run at the Music Box Theatre.
1998: Broadway Debut in The Diary of a Young Girl
In 1998, Natalie Portman made her Broadway debut in The Diary of a Young Girl while still in high school.
1999: Release of Star Wars: Episode I
In 1999, Episode I – The Phantom Menace was released, establishing Natalie Portman as a global star, even though she missed the premiere due to high school finals.
1999: International Recognition with Star Wars: Episode I
In 1999, Natalie Portman gained international recognition for her role as Padmé Amidala in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
1999: Graduation and Role in Anywhere but Here
In 1999, Natalie Portman graduated from Syosset High School and took on a lead role in Anywhere but Here, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
2000: Appearance in Where the Heart Is and Enrollment at Harvard
In 2000, Natalie Portman appeared in Where the Heart Is and began attending Harvard University to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology.
2001: Broadway Performance in The Seagull and Cameo in Zoolander
In 2001, Natalie Portman performed in Chekhov's drama The Seagull on Broadway and made a cameo appearance in the comedy Zoolander.
2001: Performance in The Seagull
In 2001, Natalie Portman performed in a revival of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull at The Public Theater.
2003: Graduation from Harvard and Role in Cold Mountain
In 2003, Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard and appeared in a small role in the war film Cold Mountain.
2004: Campaigning for John Kerry
In 2004, Natalie Portman campaigned for Senator John Kerry in the presidential election, supporting the Democratic Party.
2004: Release of Closer
In 2004, Natalie Portman starred in Closer, one of her most acclaimed and highest-grossing films.
2004: Featuring in Garden State and role as Manic Pixie Dream Girl
In 2004, Natalie Portman starred in the romantic comedy Garden State, written and directed by Zach Braff, playing a young girl suffering from epilepsy. The role was later described as an example of the 'Manic Pixie Dream Girl' trope, which Portman later expressed discomfort with.
2004: 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 finance women-owned businesses.
2004: Golden Globe Win and Academy Award Nomination for Closer
In 2004, Natalie Portman won a Golden Globe and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Closer.
2005: Continuing the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
In 2005, Natalie Portman appeared in another installment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
2005: Starring in V for Vendetta
In 2005, Natalie Portman played Evey Hammond in V for Vendetta.
2005: Release of Star Wars: Episode III and V for Vendetta
In 2005, Natalie Portman starred in both Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and V for Vendetta, both of which were among her most acclaimed and highest-grossing films.
2006: Hosting Saturday Night Live and Paris, je t'aime
In 2006, Natalie Portman began the year by hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live and appeared in the anthology film Paris, je t'aime, in the segment named "Faubourg Saint-Denis". She also starred in Miloš Forman's 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, where she spoke about her film V for Vendetta.
April 2007: Discussing work with FINCA on This Week with George Stephanopoulos
In April 2007, Natalie Portman discussed her work with FINCA on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, highlighting how it benefits women and children in Third World countries.
2007: Launching animal-friendly footwear and filming Gorillas on the Brink
In 2007, Natalie Portman launched her own brand of animal-friendly footwear. Also in 2007, Portman traveled to Rwanda with Jack Hanna to film the documentary Gorillas on the Brink.
2007: My Blueberry Nights and Hotel Chevalier
In 2007, Natalie Portman starred in Wong Kar-wai's romantic drama My Blueberry Nights and appeared in the short film Hotel Chevalier, which served as a prologue to The Darjeeling Limited. She also appeared in Paul McCartney's music video "Dance Tonight".
2008: Directing the short film Eve
In 2008, Natalie Portman directed the short film Eve.
2008: Acting in The Other Boleyn Girl
In 2008, Natalie Portman played Anne Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl.
2008: The Other Boleyn Girl, Cannes Jury and handsomecharlie films
In 2008, Natalie Portman starred in The Other Boleyn Girl with Scarlett Johansson. She also served as a jury member of the Cannes Film Festival and launched her own production company, handsomecharlie films. She also debuted as a director with the short film Eve.
2008: Supporting Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
In 2008, Natalie Portman supported Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries and later campaigned for Senator Barack Obama.
2009: Becoming a vegan
In 2009, Natalie Portman became a vegan after reading Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals and later produced a documentary on factory farming systems in the U.S. by the same title.
2009: Roles in The Other Woman, Greed, New York, I Love You, and Brothers
In 2009, Natalie Portman's first film role of the year was in The Other Woman. She also appeared in a faux perfume commercial called Greed and in the anthology film New York, I Love You. Additionally, she took on a role in the drama film Brothers.
2009: "Natalie's Rap" release on Incredibad
In 2009, a song named "Natalie's Rap" from a Saturday Night Live sketch hosted by Natalie Portman in 2006 was released on Incredibad, an album by the Lonely Island.
2010: Hesher and Black Swan
In 2010, Natalie Portman produced and co-starred in the black comedy Hesher. She also played a ballerina in the psychological horror film Black Swan, for which she trained extensively and won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
2010: Dior Ambassador
In 2010, Natalie Portman signed with Dior and has starred in multiple advertising campaigns since.
2010: Academy Award Win for Black Swan
In 2010, Natalie Portman won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as a troubled ballerina in Black Swan.
2010: Nomination 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: Promoting 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 construction of the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower.
2011: Signing 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 for No Strings Attached, Your Highness and Thor
In 2011, Natalie Portman served as an executive producer for No Strings Attached, a romantic comedy in which she starred. She also appeared in the film Your Highness and played Jane Foster in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Thor.
2011: Releases of No Strings Attached and Thor
In 2011, Natalie Portman starred in No Strings Attached and Thor, both of which were among her most acclaimed and highest-grossing films.
May 2012: Collaboration with Richard Mille for WE Charity
In May 2012, it was announced that Natalie Portman would be working with watch designer Richard Mille to develop a limited-edition timepiece with proceeds supporting WE Charity.
2012: Supporting Obama's re-election campaign
In 2012, Natalie Portman supported Obama's re-election campaign.
2012: Most Bankable Star
In 2012, Natalie Portman topped Forbes' listing of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. Her sole screen appearance that year was in Paul McCartney's music video "My Valentine".
2013: Acting in Thor: The Dark World
In 2013, Natalie Portman acted in Thor: The Dark World continuing her role as Jane Foster.
February 2015: Open letter to Harvard University regarding fossil fuel divestment
In February 2015, Natalie Portman, among other Harvard alumni, wrote an open letter to the school demanding it divest its endowment from fossil fuel companies.
2015: Knight of Cups and A Tale of Love and Darkness
In 2015, Natalie Portman appeared in Knight of Cups and released her directorial venture A Tale of Love and Darkness, based on Amos Oz's autobiographical novel. She starred, produced, and co-wrote the Hebrew-language film.
2015: Directing and Starring in A Tale of Love and Darkness
In 2015, Natalie Portman directed and starred in the biographical drama A Tale of Love and Darkness.
2016: Starring in Jackie and Third Academy Award Nomination
In 2016, Natalie Portman portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in Jackie, earning her a third Academy Award nomination.
2016: Portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy in Jackie
In 2016, Natalie Portman portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the biopic Jackie, which focused on Kennedy's life immediately after the 1963 assassination of her husband. Portman's performance earned her a Critics' Choice Movie Award and an Academy Award nomination.
2016: Release of Jackie
In 2016, Natalie Portman starred in Jackie, one of her most acclaimed and highest-grossing films.
September 2017: Ongoing Commitment Award
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.
January 2018: Donating to Time's Up initiative
In January 2018, Natalie Portman donated $50,000 to the Time's Up initiative.
2018: Release of Annihilation
In 2018, Natalie Portman starred in Annihilation, one of her most acclaimed and highest-grossing films.
2018: Starring in Annihilation and Vox Lux
In 2018, Natalie Portman starred in the science fiction film Annihilation, playing a biologist studying a mysterious zone, and in Vox Lux as a troubled pop singer exploring the negative effects of fame. Annihilation received a limited theatrical release and was distributed on Netflix internationally.
December 2019: Visiting Kenya with WE Charity
In December 2019, Natalie Portman visited Kenya a second time with WE Charity and spoke with young girls determined to improve their lives through access to education.
2019: Appearance in Avengers: Endgame and Lucy in the Sky
In 2019, Natalie Portman appeared in Avengers: Endgame using unused footage, and starred in Lucy in the Sky as a psychologically troubled astronaut. Lucy in the Sky received poor reviews, though Portman's performance was praised.
2020: Endorsing defund the police movement and collaborating with JusticeLA
In 2020, Natalie Portman endorsed the "defund the police" movement. Also in 2020, Portman collaborated with JusticeLA to create a public service announcement #SuingToSaveLives about the health of people in L.A. County jails amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Later in 2020, Portman co-founded and invested in Angel City FC.
2021: Founding 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+.
2021: Co-founding MountainA
In 2021, Natalie Portman co-founded the production company MountainA.
2021: Promoting Miss Dior Rose N'Roses
In 2021, Natalie Portman promoted a new version of the Miss Dior fragrance, Rose N'Roses.
2022: Reprising 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. Portman received a nomination for the Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Superhero Movie. Portman was also voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time in a reader's poll by Empire magazine.
September 2023: Speaking at United Nations Spotlight Initiative
In September 2023, Natalie Portman spoke at an event for the United Nations Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls, urging member states to reinvest in the Initiative.
October 18, 2023: Portman calls for release of hostages held by Hamas
On October 18, 2023, Natalie Portman publicly called for the release of hostages held by Hamas and condemned their actions. She also advocated for the release of kidnapped Israeli children. Additionally, she publicized information about Dror Israel on Instagram to raise funds for children near the Gaza border and called on the Red Cross to address ongoing breaches of International Humanitarian Law within Israel.
November 12, 2023: March Against Antisemitism in Paris
On November 12, 2023, Natalie Portman participated in the March for the Republic and Against Antisemitism in Paris, which was held in response to the rise in antisemitism since the start of the Gaza war.
2023: May December Premiere
In 2023, May December, the first project of MountainA production company, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Portman played an actress researching for her role as a woman whose marriage to a much younger man was highly controversial. Portman received another Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
2023: Producing and Starring in May December
In 2023, Natalie Portman produced and starred in the film May December under her production company MountainA.
2024: Lady in the Lake Miniseries and Fountain of Youth film
In 2024, MountainA's third project was Lady in the Lake, an Apple TV+ miniseries adaptation of Laura Lippman's thriller novel, where Portman played a 1960s housewife turned investigative journalist. Portman will also star in Fountain of Youth, an adventure film directed by Guy Ritchie.
2024: Producing and Starring in Lady in the Lake
In 2024, Natalie Portman produced and starred in the miniseries Lady in the Lake under her production company MountainA.
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