Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson 
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| Born | Scarlett Ingrid Johansson November 22, 1984 Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American, Danish |
| Education | Professional Children's School |
| Occupation | Actress, Producer, Singer |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse | Ryan Reynolds (m. 2008; div. 2011) Romain Dauriac (m. 2014; div. 2017) Colin Jost (m. 2020) |
| Children | 2 |
| Known for | Black Widow, Lost in Translation, Lucy, Marriage Story |
Scarlett Ingrid Johansson (born November 22, 1984) is an American actress, producer, and singer. She is one of the most successful actresses in film history, with her films grossing more than $15 billion worldwide. Johansson is best known for portraying Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and for acclaimed performances in dramatic, independent, and science-fiction films.[1]
Her awards include a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA), a Tony Award, and multiple nominations for Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. She was the world's highest-paid actress in 2018, 2019, and 2025.[2]
Early Life and Education
Scarlett Johansson was born on November 22, 1984, in Manhattan, New York City. Her father, Karsten Johansson, is a Danish architect, while her mother, Melanie Sloan, worked as a producer.[3]
She grew up with her twin brother Hunter Johansson, siblings Vanessa and Adrian Johansson, and half-brother Christian Johansson. Johansson holds both American and Danish citizenship.
Interested in acting from a young age, she studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and later attended the Professional Children's School in Manhattan. She began appearing in stage productions and auditions while still a child.[4]
Early Career
Johansson made her film debut in North (1994).
During the 1990s she gained recognition through films such as:
- Manny & Lo (1996)
- The Horse Whisperer (1998)
- My Brother the Pig (1999)
Her performance in The Horse Whisperer attracted critical attention and established her as one of Hollywood's most promising young actresses.
Breakthrough and Critical Success
Lost in Translation
Johansson's major breakthrough came in 2003 with Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation opposite Bill Murray.
The film was critically acclaimed and earned Johansson the BAFTA Award for Best Actress. Critics praised her mature and emotionally nuanced performance.
Girl with a Pearl Earring
The same year, she starred in Girl with a Pearl Earring as Griet, a young servant in the household of painter Johannes Vermeer.
The role further demonstrated her acting range and earned major award nominations.
Rise to International Stardom
Between 2004 and 2009 Johansson appeared in numerous successful films, including:
- A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004)
- Match Point (2005)
- Scoop (2006)
- The Prestige (2006)
- The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
- Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
- He's Just Not That into You (2009)
Her collaborations with filmmaker Woody Allen significantly increased her profile as a dramatic actress.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Black Widow
In 2010 Johansson joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in Iron Man 2.
She later reprised the role in:
- The Avengers (2012)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Black Widow (2021)
The role transformed Johansson into a global superstar and one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.
Other Major Film Roles
Her
In Spike Jonze's science-fiction drama Her (2013), Johansson voiced Samantha, an artificial intelligence operating system. Despite appearing only through voice acting, her performance received widespread critical acclaim.
Under the Skin
Also in 2013, she starred in Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin, portraying an alien disguised as a human woman. The performance is often regarded as one of the finest of her career.
Lucy
Johansson starred in Luc Besson's science-fiction action film Lucy (2014), which became a major international box-office success.
Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit
In 2019 she earned two Academy Award nominations in the same year:
- Best Actress for Marriage Story
- Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit
This achievement placed her among a select group of actors to receive two acting Oscar nominations simultaneously.
Broadway Career
Johansson made her Broadway debut in 2010 in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge.
Her performance earned the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
She later returned to Broadway in a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2013).
Producing Career
Johansson expanded into producing through projects including:
- Black Widow (2021) – Executive Producer
- Fly Me to the Moon (2024)
- Eleanor the Great (2025)
In 2025 she made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great.
Music Career
In addition to acting, Johansson has pursued a music career.
Albums
- Anywhere I Lay My Head (2008)
- Break Up (2009) – with Pete Yorn
Both albums charted on the Billboard 200.
She has also contributed songs to film soundtracks and collaborated with various musicians.
Public Image
Johansson has frequently appeared on lists of the world's most attractive and influential women.
She has represented major international brands including:
- Calvin Klein
- Dolce & Gabbana
- Louis Vuitton
- L'Oréal
- Mango
- Moët & Chandon
In 2022, she co-founded the skincare company The Outset.
Time magazine included her among the world's 100 most influential people in both 2021 and 2025.[5]
Personal Life
Johansson has been married three times.
Marriages
- Ryan Reynolds (2008–2011)
- Romain Dauriac (2014–2017)
- Colin Jost (2020–present)
She has a daughter with Romain Dauriac and a son with Colin Jost.
Johansson divides her time between New York City and Los Angeles.
Political and Social Activities
Johansson has supported numerous Democratic political candidates, including:
- Barack Obama
- Hillary Clinton
- Elizabeth Warren
- Kamala Harris
She has also advocated for:
- Women's rights
- Voter participation
- Planned Parenthood
- Civil liberties
Philanthropy
Johansson supports numerous charitable organizations and humanitarian causes.
She has participated in campaigns supporting:
- Disaster relief
- Women's rights
- Human rights
- Healthcare initiatives
- Children's charities
She is also involved in environmental and social awareness projects.
Awards and Honors
Major honors include:
- BAFTA Award for Best Actress
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play
- Multiple Academy Award nominations
- Multiple Golden Globe nominations
- Saturn Awards
- People's Choice Awards
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012.
Legacy
Scarlett Johansson is regarded as one of the most successful and influential actresses of her generation. Her career spans blockbuster franchises, independent cinema, theater, voice acting, music, producing, and directing.
Her portrayal of Black Widow became one of the defining performances of the superhero film era, while films such as Lost in Translation, Her, Marriage Story, and Under the Skin established her reputation as a versatile and critically acclaimed performer.