The fabulous life of Natalie Portman child star, Harvard psychology grad, and Hollywood icon

Natalie Portman is one of the most recognizable actresses of the 21st century. The 37-year-old actress, who celebrates her birthday Saturday, is incredibly versatile and has been acting since she was a pre-teen. On top of her acting achievements, she is a Harvard graduate and has been published in multiple scientific journals.

Natalie Portman is one of the most recognizable actresses of the 21st century.

The 37-year-old actress, who celebrates her birthday Saturday, is incredibly versatile and has been acting since she was a pre-teen. On top of her acting achievements, she is a Harvard graduate and has been published in multiple scientific journals. 

Here's a look at her incredible career. 

Natalie Portman was born Natalie Hershlag in Jerusalem on June 9, 1981.

Natalie Portman in 2018. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

The family moved to the United States when she was three.

She chose to go professionally by Portman, her grandmother's maiden name, to protect her family's identity, according to Rolling Stone. 

She was scouted for modeling in a pizza shop but wanted to focus on acting.

Natalie Portman in 1998. Getty Images

Someone looking for a model for a Revlon campaign approached her in a Long Island pizza shop when she was around 10. She ended up getting an acting agent and was eventually cast as an understudy in an off-Broadway musical called "Ruthless," where Britney Spears was also an understudy. 

She made her film debut shortly after in Luc Besson's "Léon: The Professional."

Natalie Portman as Mathilda. Gaumont Buena Vista International

She played a young 12-year-old orphan who forms a relationship with a hit man. 

She joined the "Star Wars" universe in the prequel trilogy as Padmé Amidala starting in 1999's "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace"

Natalie Portman as Padmé. 20th Century Fox

She was still in high school at the time. 

Even though her career was in full swing, the actress went to Harvard and graduated with a psychology degree in 2003.

Natalie Portman in 2003. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

She later took graduate courses at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and has had two papers published in scientific journals, including one she co-wrote in high school.

Portman received her first Oscar nomination for her supporting role in 2004's "Closer."

Natalie Portman in "Closer." Columbia Pictures

She won the Golden Globe for her role. She was also in "Garden State" that same year.

Portman has hosted "Saturday Night Live" multiple times, but her most famous sketch is the SNL Digital Short "Natalie Raps."

Natalie Portman in "Natalie Raps." Saturday Night Live/YouTube

She brought it back for an epic sequel when she hosted "SNL" again in 2018. 

She famously shaved her head for "V for Vendetta."

"V for Vendetta" earned Natalie Portman two Teen Choice Awards nominations. Warner Bros.

"The idea that a big studio action movie could have some substance and could be subversive, that was exciting," Portman told The Post at the time. 

She won her first Oscar for starring in Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan."

Natalie Portman as Nina. Fox Searchlight Pictures

She also won the Golden Globe for her role. 

Portman went through an intense training process for the part. From two hours of dance training a day a year before filming started to eight hours a day for two months, she had to learn choreography and do cross training. 

"The discipline was good for the part — it hurt a lot; your body is in constant pain," she told Vogue

She met ballet dancer Benjamin Millepied when he was the choreographer for "Black Swan" and the two married in 2012.

Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman attend the 2017 Los Angeles Dance Project Gala. Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

They have two kids: Aleph, born June 2011, and Amalia, born February 2017.

Portman's turn alongside Ashton Kutcher in "No Strings Attached" was hilarious.

Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher in "No Strings Attached." Paramount Pictures

She was also an executive producer. 

The actress even joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Jane Foster in two "Thor" movies.

Thor and Jane. Marvel/Walt Disney

Jane and Thor had a romantic relationship, but she didn't return for the third movie. 

Portman has expanded her skills and directed a short and a feature film.

Natalie Portman in "A Tale of Love and Darkness." Focus World

She made her directorial debut with her short "Eve" in 2008. 

Her feature film, "A Tale of Love and Darkness," was an adaptation of Israeli author Amos Oz's novel of the same name. It premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. She also starred in it. 

Portman earned another Oscar nomination for portraying Jacqueline Kennedy in the biographical movie "Jackie."

Natalie Portman as Jackie. Fox Searchlight Pictures

She nailed the performance. 

Her latest movie, "Annihilation," is an incredible sci-fi thriller.

Natalie Portman in "Annihilation." Paramount Pictures

She played a soldier

She is an animal rights and environmental activist.

Natalie Portman speaks onstage during Vulture Festival LA in 2017. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

She gave up meat when she was eight and later became a vegan, crediting Jonathan Safran Foer's "Eating Animals" for helping her make that choice. 

She actively works with anti-poverty campaigns.

FINCA Ambassador of Hope, Natalie Portman speaks at the FINCA 25th Anniversary Creating Pathways Out of Poverty event in 2010. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

She has traveled as an ambassador of FINCA International, a microfinance organization that seeks to end poverty by offering investment opportunities to people in developing countries. 

She is also a massive supporter of gender equality and spoke at the 2018 Women's March about her own experiences with "sexual terrorism."

Natalie Portman attends the women's march Los Angeles in 2018. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

She described terrifying letters she received as a 13-year-old following her turn in "Léon: The Professional." She said her first piece of fan mail was a "rape fantasy." 

She also called out the Golden Globes in 2018 for only nominating male directors. 

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