Scarlett Johansson grew up in Manhattan, New York, in a family with Danish and Polish-Jewish roots. She developed an interest in acting at a young age and attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Her film debut came in North (1994), but her breakthrough was Lost in Translation (2003), where she starred opposite Bill Murray. This role earned her critical acclaim and established her as a serious actress.
Her career spans independent films and blockbuster franchises. Johansson became a global superstar through her portrayal of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in multiple films from Iron Man 2 (2010) to Black Widow (2021). She has also earned Academy Award nominations for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit (2019). Beyond acting, she has released music albums and is known for her advocacy on social issues.