Natalie was born in Israel in the city of Jerusalem on June 9th 1981.  When she was 3 years old she moved to Washington D.C. until she moved once again at seven to Connecticut.   At the age of nine she moved to Long Island where she still resides today.  Most young actors and actresses probably attended exclusive private schools but Natalie chose to attend a public schools.    Natalie Portman was discovered by a modeling agent at a pizza parlor.  The agent wanted to have Natalie model but Natalie wanted to act instead.  So the agent called up some acting agents and got her some auditions. 

     The first major film that Natalie was in The Professional a.k.a. Leon starring alongside actor Jean Reno.   This was a excellent movie and showcased her acting ability as a young starlet.  Her next film that got her rave reviews was Beautiful Girls in which she played the role Marty.  In this role she stole the scenes away from the bigger names at the time.  It seems that every movie Natalie is in contains big name stars and her next 2 films will show that.  Mars Attacks which wasn't that great of a box office hit but it contained a dozen or so stars.  Her next film which was a musical was directed and produced by Woody Allen and got good press by the critics.  Everyone Say I Love You had Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Alan Alda starring next to Natalie. 

     During the year of 1998 she played the role of Anne in the Broadway play The Diary of Anne Frank.  She was cast in the record breaking Star Wars : Episode I The Phantom Menace but she declined the part because it conflicted with her role in The Diary of Anne Frank.  George Lucas quickly rescheduled his shooting schedule to fit Natalie Portman's
own schedule so she would be able to play the role of Queen Amidala (The mother of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia).  Natalie Portman will also be in the following two prequels of the Star Wars series as she signed contracts to do the films. She is also starring in the upcoming film Anywhere But Here with Susan Sarandon.  Susan Sarandon says this of Natalie, "She has an innate grace that you just don't find in her generation. She corners the market on that".  Even the stars show their appreciation of this young and talented actress. 

     With the success so far Star Wars : The Phantom Menace has achieved in the box office its no doubt how popular Natalie has become.  Natalie has just finished High School and will be attending a college in the fall.  (The college of her choice was not made public).  Currently Natalie has a new project planned for the summer called Where the Heart Is . 
This film which is set to be done this summer depicts a young woman that gets pregnant from her boyfriend and is left at a local Walmart.  Well this is the strangest plot I've heard but I'm sure the movie will be a good one as Natalie does not do "stupid movies".