21 Photos of Natalie Portman Before She Went Stratospheric
A retrospective look at Natalie Portman's early career features archival photos from her youth before she achieved global stardom. The piece traces her journey from a 12-year-old hopeful to her breakout role in the film Léon.
Why it matters
It provides cultural context on the early development of a major Hollywood figure, appealing to fans of film history.
Photo: Getty Images Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story With an Oscar, a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, and two Critics’ Choice Awards to her name, Natalie Portman has secured her position at the apex of her industry via everything from Closer and Black Swan to Jackie and May December . But before all that, she was a 12-year-old hopeful growing up in Long Island, having moved to the United States with her parents at age three after being born in Jerusalem. Keen on the performing arts, she auditioned for the lead of the 1992 off-Broadway musical Ruthless!. In the end, Jumanji ’s Laura Bell Bundy ended up snagging that part—but Portman, along with a nascent Britney Spears, became her understudies (yes, really).
This is a biographical entertainment feature with no political or social agenda.
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