Natalie Portman

Born on June 9, 1981, Natalie Hershlag, better known by her stage name Natalie Portman, is an accomplished actress, producer, and director. She was born in Jerusalem and holds dual citizenship in the United States and Israel. Portman started her acting career at a young age, appearing in Luc Besson's thriller "Léon: The Professional" in 1994. However, she gained international fame and recognition for her role as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

In "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999), Portman played the young queen of Naboo, Queen Amidala. She reprised her role in the following movies, "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" (2002) and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" (2005). In the latter two, her character transitioned from a queen to a Senator and love interest to Anakin Skywalker, ultimately becoming the mother of the iconic characters Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa.

Portman's portrayal of Padmé Amidala significantly contributed to the Star Wars universe, as it provided a backstory to the origins of major characters and expanded on the political and interpersonal dynamics of the galaxy far, far away. Her performances were also appreciated by fans and critics alike, solidifying her status as one of the most memorable characters in the prequel trilogy.

Apart from her work in the Star Wars universe, Natalie Portman is a talented actress with a diverse filmography. She has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed movies, including "Closer" (2004), "V for Vendetta" (2005), and "Black Swan" (2010). Her portrayal of a disturbed ballerina in "Black Swan" earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Portman also starred as the titular character in "Jackie" (2016), earning her another Oscar nomination.

In addition to her acting career, Natalie Portman has also ventured into directing and producing. She made her directorial debut with the short film "Eve" (2008), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Portman later directed her first feature film, "A Tale of Love and Darkness" (2015), based on the novel by Israeli author Amos Oz.

Beyond her accomplishments in the film industry, Natalie Portman is well-known for her intelligence and academic background. She attended Harvard University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2003. During her studies, she co-authored a research paper published in a scientific journal. Portman has also demonstrated fluency in multiple languages, including Hebrew, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

As a public figure, Natalie Portman has used her platform to support various charitable causes and social movements. She is an advocate for animal rights, environmental issues, and gender equality. Portman has also been involved in various humanitarian efforts, such as her ambassadorship for the international non-profit organization FINCA, which promotes microfinance for women entrepreneurs in developing countries.