NATALIE PORTMAN (Ann August) has established herself as one of Hollywood's most talented and sought-after young actresses.

Portman most recently starred as Queen Amidala in George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace." She will soon be starring in "Where the Heart Is," with Ashley Judd, Joan Cusack, Stockard Channing and Sally Field. The film will be released next year by Twentieth Century Fox.

Last year, Portman completed her Broadway debut run in the title role of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Directed by James Lapine and adapted by Wendy Kesselman, the production took a fresh look at the play, incorporating new material from The 1995 Definitive Edition of Anne Frank's diaries. Portman received international acclaim for her feature debut in Luc Besson's "The Professional." Starring opposite Jean Reno and Gary Oldman, Portman played Mathilda, a young girl who seeks refuge from a hitman after her parents are killed by a corrupt DEA officer.

Portman received critical acclaim for her scene-stealing performance in the film "Beautiful Girls." Directed by Ted Demme, the comedy also starred Timothy Hutton, Uma Thurman, Rosie O'Donnell and Matt Dillon. Other feature credits include Woody Allen's musical "Everyone Says I Love You," co-starring Julia Roberts, Goldie Hawn, Alan Alda and Drew Barrymore; Tim Burton's black comedy "Mars Attacks!" with Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close; and Michael Mann's "Heat" with Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer.

Portman began college this fall.