Scarlett Johansson
A shape-shifting film star whose commanding screen presence has anchored some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters and most daring indies.
Born 1984 (age 42)·American actress·Birthday: November 22·Millennials
Biography
Scarlett Johansson transitioned from a perceptive child actor into one of the most recognizable and bankable film stars of the 21st century. Her early work in films like 'Lost in Translation' revealed a preternatural understanding of interior life, earning her critical praise as a young adult. She refused to be pigeonholed, moving seamlessly between arthouse dramas, sci-fi adventures, and broad comedies. This versatility found its ultimate expression in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where her portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, transformed a supporting role into a cultural touchstone over a decade. Beyond franchise spectacle, she has consistently chosen challenging material, from voice-only performances to physically demanding roles, building a filmography defined by both colossal commercial success and artistic risk.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Scarlett was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Scarlett Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Scarlett's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Her films have grossed over $15 billion worldwide, ranking her among the highest-grossing actors of all time.
- Portrayed Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff in nine Marvel Cinematic Universe films, leading the standalone feature 'Black Widow'.
- Earned two simultaneous Academy Award nominations in 2020 for Best Actress ('Marriage Story') and Best Supporting Actress ('Jojo Rabbit').
- Won a Tony Award in 2010 for her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's 'A View from the Bridge'.
Did You Know?
She made her film debut at age 9 in the fantasy comedy 'North' (1994).
She is the first actor to have the top-grossing film in North America for three consecutive years (2013-2015).
She released two albums of music: 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' (2008) and 'Break Up' (2009).
She provided the voice for an AI operating system in the film 'Her', a role for which she won a voice-acting award.
“I think you have to be a little bit obnoxious to be an actor, to want to be the center of attention.”
