Natalie Portman (lang-he???? ??????; born Natalie Hershlag June 9, 1981) is an Israeli American actress (actor). Her first role came in the 1994 independent film L�on (L�on (film)) (known in the United States as The Professional). She achieved wider fame after playing Padm� Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (Star Wars#prequel trilogy). Portman, who has said "Id rather be smart than a movie star," completed a bachelors degree in psychology at Harvard College while she was working on the Star Wars films.

In 2001, Portman opened in New York Citys Public Theater (The Public Theater) production of Chekhovs (Anton Chekhov) The Seagull, alongside Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. In 2005, Portman received a Golden Globe Award as Best Supporting Actress (Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture) in the drama Closer (Closer (film)). In May 2008, she served as the youngest member of the 61st (2008 Cannes Film Festival) Annual Cannes Film Festival jury. Portmans directorial debut, Eve (Eve (film)), opened the 65th Venice International Film Festivals shorts competition in 2008.