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.
Scarlett Johansson(1984 — ?)
Scarlett Johansson
États-Unis
8 min read
Frequently asked questions
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Typical Objects
The iconic black suit worn by Scarlett Johansson in the Marvel films has become a pop culture icon. It symbolizes her transformation into a superhero and the months of physical training she had to undergo.
A central tool during the recording of her album 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' in 2008 and her vocal work for the film 'Her' in 2013. The microphone represents the musical and vocal dimension of her career that often goes unnoticed.
Every role Johansson takes on is carefully prepared through repeated readings and personal annotations on scripts. This rigorous working method reflects her professional and analytical approach to her characters.
The symbolic items from the feminist movement that she carried during the 2017 march in Washington represent her commitment to gender equality in the film industry and beyond.
Johansson is known for her interest in photography outside of film shoots. This object illustrates her relationship with images — both as a subject being photographed and as an observer of the world.
The legal filings from the lawsuit brought against Disney in 2021 stand as a landmark document for the entertainment industry, symbolizing artists' fight for their rights in the age of digital streaming.
School Curriculum
Vocabulary & Tags
Key Vocabulary
Tags
Daily Life
Morning
Scarlett Johansson starts her days during filming with an early wake-up around 5:30 a.m., followed by a one-to-two-hour workout combining martial arts and strength training to maintain the physical condition required by her action roles. She eats a protein-rich balanced breakfast before heading to set.
Afternoon
Afternoons are dedicated to actual filming, rehearsals with other cast members, or hair and makeup sessions that can last several hours for her superhero roles. Outside of productions, she attends production meetings for her projects as an executive producer.
Evening
Her evenings alternate between New York cultural outings — theater, concerts, gallery openings — and family nights with her children. Johansson is known for her attendance at fundraising dinners supporting feminist and humanitarian causes, as well as reading scripts in preparation for upcoming roles.
Food
Johansson follows a diet structured around the physical demands of her roles: lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains during Marvel film preparations, with a more relaxed approach between productions. She favors world cuisines, reflecting her cosmopolitan background.
Clothing
Her personal style mirrors her dual life: casual, practical everyday outfits in New York — jeans, leather jackets, sneakers — and haute couture gowns by the world's top designers for premieres and awards ceremonies. She regularly collaborates with fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.
Housing
Johansson splits her time between her Manhattan apartment in New York, the city that remains her emotional and cultural anchor, and a property in Los Angeles for the demands of her Hollywood career. She favors interiors that are design-forward yet warm, blending contemporary artwork with references to cinema history.
Historical Timeline
Period Vocabulary
Visual Style
Style visuel oscillant entre le glamour hollywoodien des années 2000, l'esthétique épique des films Marvel et l'intimité des productions indépendantes, reflétant la polyvalence artistique de Johansson.
Sound Ambience
Ambiance sonore mêlant l'effervescence de New York et d'Hollywood, avec les sons des plateaux de tournage Marvel, des premières cinématographiques et des engagements militants qui marquent la vie de Scarlett Johansson.
