She discovered at age of 11 in a pizza parlor by a modeling agency, but she wanted a acting carreer instead. 

Natalie enjoys various types of dancing, including ballet, jazz and tap, as well as reading, writing, ice skating and acting.  She is a vegetarian.

Apparently, Portman is not her real name, but her grandmother's maiden name. 

She is a only child, her father is a doctor a fertility specialist.  Her mother is a housewife, but she refers to her as an 'artist'. 

Before the launch of her film career, Natalie Portman appeared in many plays at Usdan Theatre Arts Camp. She played the dumb blonde, Dora, in "Fiorello" and the feminist Annie in "Annie get your Gun".    Other movies she has appeared in are  Heat, Beautiful Girls, Mars Attacks, Everyone Says I Love You, Anywhere But Here and The Professional.   She is now starring in the new Star Wars movie, Episode I: The Phantom Menace, which should propel her into international celebrity status.

Natalie Portman is overly mature for her years, as is told by all the directors who have worked for her so far.  Nataile Portman has already been compared to Elizabeth Taylor and  Audrey Hepburn and has acted opposite Hollywood's most desirable men.