Scarlett Johansson

📷 Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Harald Krichel — 2025

1984 — ?

États-Unis

Performing ArtsMusic20th CenturyLate 20th and early 21st century, the era of digital cinema and global blockbusters

An American-Danish actress and singer born in 1984 in New York, Scarlett Johansson established herself in the 2000s as one of Hollywood's most influential actresses. She is also a producer and an advocate for feminist causes.

Key Facts

Born on November 22, 1984, in New York, to a Danish father and American mother
Began her film career in childhood with 'North' (1994)
Gained international recognition with Sofia Coppola's 'Lost in Translation' (2003)
Portrays the character of Black Widow in the Marvel universe starting in 2010
First actress to receive two Oscar nominations in the same year (2020)

Works & Achievements

Lost in Translation (2003)

Sofia Coppola's film, which marked Johansson's international breakthrough in the role of Charlotte, a young American woman adrift in Tokyo. The film earned her worldwide critical recognition and numerous nominations at the most prestigious awards.

Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

An adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's novel in which Johansson plays Griet, the painter Vermeer's servant. The role demonstrates her ability to inhabit complex characters within demanding historical settings.

The Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe series) (2010-2021)

Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow across ten Marvel films over more than a decade, becoming one of the most iconic female figures in the highest-grossing superhero franchise in cinema history.

Her (2013)

In Spike Jonze's film, Johansson lends only her voice to Samantha, an artificial intelligence. Her vocal performance — never once appearing on screen — earned unanimous praise and showcases the expressive power of her voice.

Anywhere I Lay My Head (2008)

Johansson's debut music album, consisting largely of Tom Waits covers. The record reveals her musical sensibility and her desire to express herself beyond the world of film.

Black Widow (2021)

The first solo film centered on her character Natasha Romanoff, whose simultaneous theatrical and streaming release triggered a high-profile lawsuit against Disney, setting a precedent in contract negotiations for the digital age.

Marriage Story (2019)

Noah Baumbach's film in which Johansson plays Nicole, an actress navigating a painful divorce. The role earned her an Oscar nomination and confirmed her standing as a leading dramatic actress beyond the blockbuster world.

Anecdotes

Scarlett Johansson began her acting career at age 9, performing in theater productions in New York City. Her mother, Melanie Sloan, accompanied her to auditions and served as her informal manager, convinced from an early age that her daughter had exceptional talent.

To portray Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in the Marvel films, Scarlett Johansson underwent months of intensive physical training, learning mixed martial arts, boxing, and weapons handling. She became one of the most physically prepared action actresses in Hollywood.

In 2021, Scarlett Johansson filed a high-profile lawsuit against Disney, accusing the studio of breaching her contract by releasing 'Black Widow' simultaneously in theaters and on the Disney+ streaming platform. The case raised critical questions about actors' rights in the streaming era and was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

Scarlett Johansson was named the world's highest-paid actress by Forbes in both 2018 and 2019. She became the first actress to surpass one billion dollars in global box office receipts for films in which she was the lead — driven largely by her role in the Avengers franchise.

A passionate music lover, Scarlett Johansson released an album in 2008 titled 'Anywhere I Lay My Head', consisting primarily of Tom Waits cover songs. This artistic eclecticism reflects her determination not to confine herself to a single creative medium.

Primary Sources

Scarlett Johansson interview in Vogue US (2019)

I feel like my whole career has been a process of finding out who I am and what I want to say. I'm still figuring that out, honestly.

Statement at the Washington D.C. Women's March (January 2017)

I am not a silent bystander and you are not either. We are in a pivotal moment in history. We are awake and we are watching.

Press release on the lawsuit against Disney (July 2021)

Disney intentionally induced Marvel's breach of the Agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.

Interview in The Hollywood Reporter (2017)

There's a huge double standard in the industry when it comes to how men and women are treated. I feel a responsibility to use my platform to speak about that.

Key Places

New York, United States

Scarlett Johansson's hometown, where she grew up in the Manhattan neighborhood and took her first steps on stage. New York shaped her artistic sensibility and her connection to urban, cosmopolitan culture.

Hollywood, Los Angeles, United States

The heart of the American film industry, where Johansson built her international career from the 2000s onward. This is where the majority of Marvel productions and major blockbusters that made her a global star were filmed.

Tokyo, Japan

The city where 'Lost in Translation' (2003) takes place, a pivotal film in her career that brought her to international prominence. In her artistic biography, Tokyo represents the moment she encountered worldwide fame and cultural otherness.

Washington D.C., United States

The city where Johansson took part in the historic Women's March in January 2017, one of the largest demonstrations in American history. This act of activism marked her public commitment to women's rights.

London, United Kingdom

A filming location for several major productions, including Marvel films and 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. London represents the European anchor of her international career.