From Harvard to Marvel, This Oscar-Winning ‘Star Wars’ Actress Turns 45

Beloved actress Natalie Portman, who has starred in major franchises like Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for decades, turns 45 today—and it’s shocking to realize how much she’s accomplished in just 45 years.

Portman had her start in the industry as Mathilda in Léon: The Professional in 1994, and she went on to have a series of smaller roles over the next few years. However, her big break came in 1999 with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, in which she played Padmé/Queen Amidala. At the time, it wasn’t clear just how crucial Padmé (and therefore Portman as well) was to the larger Star Wars franchise.

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith confirmed that Padmé was actually the wife of Anakin Skywalker and the biological mother of two of Star Wars‘ most iconic characters: Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa.

Given that significance, as well as her performances in all three movies, it’s no surprise that Portman’s career exploded from there. In the years since, Portman has starred as Jane Foster, who ultimately became Mighty Thor, in the MCU, beginning with Thor in 2011 and followed by Thor: The Dark World in 2013 and Thor: Love and Thunder in 2022.

Some of Portman’s other most well-known projects include V for Vendetta in 2005, Black Swan in 2010 and Jackie Kennedyin 2016, among others.

While some of Portman’s best-known work may already be common knowledge, a lesser-known fact about the star is her impressive educational background. Specifically, while she was filming the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Portman was also studying at Harvard University. In 2003, just one year after Attack of the Clones was released in theaters, Portman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.