Many Hollywood stars adopt stage names, and it’s quite common! But have you ever wondered why Natalie Portman, a name synonymous with incredible talent, isn’t her birth name?
Born Neta-Lee Hershlag in Jerusalem, Israel, she made her film debut at just 13 years old in “Léon: The Professional.” To create a separation between her burgeoning public persona and her private life, she adopted the name Portman. This wasn’t just any name; it was her paternal grandmother’s maiden name, adding a personal touch to her professional identity.
Imagine being a teenager and having your school friends call you by your movie star name! Natalie herself has spoken about getting upset when classmates called her “Natalie Portman” instead of Natalie Hershlag, her real name at school. She wanted to keep those identities separate.
Over the years, as she matured and had her own children, Natalie has expressed a desire to integrate these two parts of herself, realizing it’s not always helpful to have a “real” her and a “pretend” her. It’s a journey of embracing all the multitudes of how she’s seen, both publicly and privately.