Which movie star's real name is Neta-Lee Hershlag?

Movie stars may change their names for a variety of reasons. Some might need to swap their name (or its spelling) to avoid breaking union rules, which prevent duplication of another member's name. Others choose a new name because it is easier to pronounce, or more “marketable”.

Before she was the star of movies like ‘V for Vendetta’ (2006) and ‘Black Swan’ (2010), Natalie Portman (b.1981) was Neta-Lee Hershlag, an Israeli-born girl of Jewish descent growing up in Long Island, New York.

Portman began her acting career at age 12, starring as the young protégée of a hitman in the action-drama film ‘Léon: The Professional’ (1994). Prior to taking on the role, she created her stage name, changing Neta-Lee to the similar-sounding Natalie, and adding her grandmother’s last name (Portman) in order to protect her family life and her own privacy.

While in high school, Natalie made her Broadway theatre debut in a 1998 production of ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’, then went on to gain international recognition for her work as Princess Padmé Amidala in ‘Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace’ (1999).

Meanwhile, Neta-Lee was an excellent student. She earned high marks in school and studied psychology at Harvard University, graduating in 2003, while continuing to play Padmé in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (2002, 2005).

Portman won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama, as well as the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in ‘Black Swan’(2010).