Scarlett Johansson Biography

Scarlett Johansson, one of the most promising young Hollywood actresses, was born in Manhattan, New York (USA) on November 22, 1984 - on the 21st anniversary of the assassination of JFK. Even though a native New Yorker, Scarlett has an European background: her father is Dane, and her mother has a Polish background. She has an older half-brother who lives in Danmark and then two older siblings: Vanessa and Adrian. But Scarlett isn't the youngest in the family: her twin brother Hunter is 3 minutes younger!

At the tender age of 3 Scarlett discovered acting, when she told her mother: 'I have a fire in my brain to act.' But it wasn't until she was 7 (even though this too is very young) that she realised that acting could be a real profession. She gained this knowledge by watching films and going to auditions for ads. The latter was a suggestion of a family friend. But they didn't want Scarlett - only her brother - so she was disappointed. Finally, her mother realised how serious her daughter was and they started auditioning for films. She also enrolled in the Lee Strasberg Institute where she had the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. Before Scarlett got a film role she made her professional acting debut opposite Ethan Hawke in the off-broadway production of 'Sophistry' at the age of 8.

Her first screen appearances followed in 'North', 'Just Cause', 'If Lucy Fell' and 'Fall'. Her parts in those films were only short, but it is remarkable that Scarlett coming from a non-acting family could get them. She had costars like Bruce Willis or Sean Connery. And even though her roles were short she added something to them that not many very young actors can, she gave them a personality - or maybe just hints of what this child could be if we were to see more of it. And - unlike at the ads - her raspy voice was helping her to be more than just a sweet child.

She first gained recognition as Manny in 'Manny & Lo'. She played the young runaway orphan perfectly, this certain coolness (or whatever you want to call it) that children in such unfortunate circumstances must have was there - even though Scarlett's life was quite protected. She made her breakthrough in Robert Redford's 'The Horse Whisperer', where she played troubled Grace. Grace who has lost her leg and her best friend in a terrible horse riding accident and is then trying to go on. The film itself may not only have got positive reviews but Scarlett's performance was great. And it was then that Robert made the famous statement: 'Scarlett is 13 going on 30'.

It is certainly this kind of maturity - an awareness of her surroundings and an awareness of other people - that helps her to portray her characters very realistically. After The Horse Whisperer, Scarlett took a break only to come back with a great Rebecca in 'Ghost World'. She played the 18 year old eccentric best friend of outcast Enid when she was only 15. 2001 marked the year for the release of 2 other high quality pictures featuring Scarlett: 'An American Rhapsody' and 'The Man Who Wasn't There'. These 3 films really improved her reputation as a talented and serious actress. 2002 followed with the 'Eight Legged Freaks' - a remake of B-Movies from the 50s. In this year Scarlett also finished high school (she attended Manhattan's Professional Children's School) and announced her plan to go to Purchase University, New York to study Film in 2003.

In 2002 Scarlett shot 3 films ('The Perfect Score' in Vancouver, 'Lost In Translation' in Tokyo and 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' in Luxembourg). The first to hit theaters was 'Lost In Translation'. It has been an instant hit ever since its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where Scarlett won the Upstream Prize for Best Actress! Indeed her performance is stunning, even more so when you consider that Scarlett was just 17 when she played the newlywed twentysomething. Sofia Coppola's second film - which was shot in just 27 days with a very limited budget - was praised and loved both by critics and the audience. It did very well at the box office. Its highest position was #5 and it stayed in the top 20 until at least February 04. The adaption of a best-selling novel about Vermeer's painting (Girl with a Pearl Earring) joined the festival circuit months before opening in theaters. Scarlett's subtle performances in both films initiated raving reviews and headlines such as 'Scarlett Fever'. The fact that Scarlett was winning more and more awards led many journalists to the belief it was safe to drop the word Oscar in their Scarlett-praising articles. Overnight, Scarlett Johansson became the new big star, especially in Toronto, where two of her films were shown, she just stunned everyone with her naturality, freshness and lively interviews. Even though Scarlett welcomed the new attention - focusing on her acting she realised success would improve her choice of projects - she wasn't as pleased about being labeled the new 'It-Girl'.

Before success even could have hit her she started work on a project she had set her eyes on ever since 2000: Finances for 'A Love Song for Bobby Long' with John Travolta were finally secured and shooting started in New Orleans in Summer 2003 and finished before Scarlett set off for Venice and her journey of success. In the midst of the '03/04 Awards Season' and success of her films, Scarlett travelled to Italy to shoot 'A Good Woman', an adaption of an Oscar Wilde play with Helen Hunt and Tom Wilkinson. Even though working with Sofia Coppola on 'Lost In Translation' did strengthen her ambition to become a director herself she rejected her plans to go to Purchase University. She'd have to be there regularly, which would make it difficult to take on acting jobs. She'll rather just take courses from time to time and learn the rest right there on sets.

In some ways 2004 started out as a bad year for Scarlett. The long overdue 'The Perfect Score' was finally released. The critics (and the audience) didn't warm to the teen comedy. They just couldn't help comparing it to the extraordinary cineastic masterpieces 'Lost in Translation' and 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. Although nominated twice for Best Leading Actress at the Golden Globes Scarlett ended up with empty hands. And she didn't get an Oscar nomination. After the prestigious awards ceremony in February Scarlett made first-hand experiences with awful gossip. It was said that she was making out with Benicio del Toro in a lift. A sarcastic joke she later made to Elle magazine was taken as fact by many and caused headlines throughout the net. Other stories concerning her love life and her relationship with her mother soon emerged. Clearly, the media wasn't gentle on Scarlett. In 2004 Scarlett also went public with her political beliefs: as a supporter of runner-up for democrat presidential candidate Howard Dean, Scarlett was wearing a Howard-Dean-badge to the 'The Perfect Score' premiere. When John Kerry ended up being the democrat candidate, she also supported his campaign on some occasions. Obviously, the re-election of George W. Bush as US president must have been some sort of setback for Scarlett.

But then 2004 also was the year for Scarlett: her work in 'Lost in Translation' and 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' have certainly been noticed and honoured. For example she won a Best Actress BAFTA - the British equivalent to the Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscar Academy) invited her to join the org. Should she have accepted she's now part of the grand jury. With her red carpet style Scarlett brought back glamour from years gone by. Comparisons to Hollywood icons Marylin Monroe, Lauren Bacall and others weren't rare. At the end of the year many magazines named her 'Best Newcomer' when naming the best dressed people in 2004. Apart from the movie world Scarlett's also active in the fashion world: Scarlett signed a contract with Calvin Klein to be the face for their new fragrance 'Eternity Moment' and was part of the fall/winter 04/05 campaign for Louis Vuitton.

Her new-found fame also led to more roles: She plays Dennis Quaid's daughter and Topher Grace's love interest in 'In Good Company' (shot in spring/early summer 04 and released in December). After some projects were delayed and caused a free schedule in summer, Woody Allen cast her in Matchpoint. In September Scarlett was part of the Venezia jury at the 61st Venice Film Festival and 'A Love Song for Bobby Long' also had its premiere there. After promotional work for Calvin Klein, a short vacation, getting her tonsils removed and making two appearances at the Hollywood Festival Scarlett started work on 'The Island', a sci-fi thriller directed by Michael Bay, co-starring Ewan McGregor and her biggest project to date. The studio production has an estimated budget in the $100mil range. Shooting started October 25, 2004 and is expected to finish in March 2005. One last thing: somewhen in 2004 Scarlett managed to contribute voice work to 'The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie'.

Again the hopes are high: Scarlett is nominated for a Golden Globe in 2005, and no matter what the outcome there are the releases of her movies to enjoy. And there are more to come: After finishing work on 'The Island' she'll costar with Josh Hartnett and Hillary Swank in the Brian De Palma's adaption of James Ellroy's The Black Dahlia' (shooting to start in April 05, after a delay). It looks as if Scarlett will be enjoying herself as she'll be able to do what she likes best: be on film sets and act. Lately she has definitely been a lot in the spotlight - was maybe even spoilt with attention and success - and yet she has stayed on the ground and is still very likeable as every article that is based on a real interview confirms. And there's still her directorial debut to look forward to…. whenever that will be, take your time Scarlett Johansson!

Over the years Scarlett's mother Melanie has always been there for Scarlett. Scarlett's parents separated soon after 'The Horse Whisperer'. Scarlett and twin brother Hunter stayed with their father in New York. Yet, when it came to movies her mother was always there, helping, reading scripts and accompanying her to film sets such as 'Lost in Translation'. In 2003 the parents were divorced and Scarlett has said in one interview she's now got a great stepdad. Around the same time Melanie started taking on Scarlett's management and she has also co-produced 'A Love Song For Bobby Long'. When Scarlett bought herself an apartment in Los Angeles it was in the same building her mother is living. And whenever the talk comes to her mother Scarlett is full of praise for her loving support - and apparently the two are really close.

Scarlett Johansson knows what she wants and what she likes and goes after it, she isn't in Hollywood to become famous but rather to build a lasting career. And yet, in choosing roles she isn't following a strict career plan but seems to just have a sense for extraordinary roles. So we can look forward to seeing many things coming from Scarlett Johansson.