She’s the face behind Black Widow, the voice of an AI in Her, and one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. But who is Scarlett Johansson beyond the red carpets and billion-dollar blockbusters?

Let’s dive into the fascinating life of an actress who transformed from a child performer into a global icon, earning over $165 million and breaking records along the way.

Quick Facts About Scarlett Johansson

Detail	Information
Full Name	Scarlett Ingrid Johansson
Date of Birth	November 22, 1984
Age	41 years old (as of 2026)
Birthplace	Manhattan, New York City, USA
Height	5’3″ (160 cm)
Nationality	American & Danish (dual citizenship)
Profession	Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur, Singer
Famous For	Black Widow (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Net Worth	$165-180 million (2026)
Spouse	Colin Jost (married 2020)
Children	Rose Dorothy Dauriac, Cosmo Jost
Education	Professional Children’s School, NYC
Years Active	1994–present

Who Is Scarlett Johansson?

Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, singer, and global superstar known for her powerful screen presence and remarkable versatility. Born on November 22, 1984, in New York City, she rose to fame with standout roles in films like Lost in Translation, Lucy, and Marvel’s Black Widow.

Widely praised for her talent, charm, and long-lasting impact on Hollywood, Scarlett has become one of the highest-paid and most influential actresses of her generation.

Early Life: Growing Up in Manhattan

Scarlett Ingrid Johansson was born on November 22, 1984, in the heart of New York City. Her father, Karsten Johansson, was a Danish architect, while her mother, Melanie Sloan, worked as a producer and came from a Polish-Russian Jewish background.

Growing up in Manhattan wasn’t your typical childhood. Scarlett shared her home with three siblings, including her twin brother, Hunter Johansson (born just three minutes after her!). She also has an older sister, Vanessa Johansson, who later became an actress, and brothers Adrian and Christian.

The Twin Connection

Here’s something most people don’t know: Scarlett is three minutes older than her twin brother Hunter. While she pursued acting, Hunter took a different path, working in politics and later becoming a community organizer. He even served as a campaign advisor for President Barack Obama.

Childhood Dreams of Stardom

From age seven, Scarlett knew she wanted to act. Inspired by classic Hollywood musicals and icons like Judy Garland, she started auditioning for commercials and theater productions. Her mother noticed her natural talent and dedication early on.

“I wanted to perform from the moment I could talk,” Scarlett once shared in an interview. “There was never a Plan B for me.”

Education: Training for the Big Screen

Unlike most kids who attend traditional schools, Scarlett’s education was uniquely tailored to her acting ambitions.

PS 41 Elementary School

She started her early education at PS 41 in Greenwich Village, a public school in Manhattan. Even then, teachers noticed she was different—more focused, more driven than typical kids her age.

Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute

At age eight, Scarlett enrolled at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, where she learned Method acting techniques. This training gave her the emotional depth that would later define her performances in films like Lost in Translation and Marriage Story.

Professional Children’s School

For high school, she attended the Professional Children’s School in Manhattan—a special institution designed for young performers balancing education with their careers. Many famous actors, including Sarah Michelle Gellar and Macaulay Culkin, also attended this school.

Interestingly, Scarlett applied to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2002 but was rejected. Instead of letting this setback define her, she doubled down on her acting career. Looking back, that rejection might have been the best thing that happened to her.

Family Background: A Blend of Cultures

Scarlett’s family tree is as interesting as her film career.

Parents

Father: Karsten Olaf Johansson

• Danish-born architect
• Originally from Copenhagen
• Moved to the United States before Scarlett was born
• Gave Scarlett her Danish citizenship

Mother: Melanie Sloan

• Jewish-American producer
• From the Bronx, New York
• Polish and Russian Jewish heritage
• Was instrumental in supporting Scarlett’s early career

Siblings

Name	Relationship	Notable Info
Hunter Johansson	Twin brother (3 min younger)	Political activist, Obama campaign advisor
Vanessa Johansson	Older sister	Actress, appeared in films together
Adrian Johansson	Older brother	Stays out of spotlight
Christian Johansson	Half-brother (father’s side)	From previous relationship

Her grandfather, Ejner Johansson, was a well-known Swedish author and screenwriter, which explains where the creative genes came from.

Career Journey: From Child Star to Marvel Icon

Early Career (1994-2002): The Foundation Years

Scarlett made her film debut at just nine years old in the 1994 fantasy comedy North, directed by Rob Reiner. Though the movie flopped, it opened doors.

Her breakthrough came at age 13 in The Horse Whisperer (1998), directed by Robert Redford. Critics praised her mature performance as a teenager recovering from a tragic accident. The Chicago Film Critics Association nominated her for Most Promising Actress.

Other early films included:

• Manny & Lo (1996) – her first leading role
• Home Alone 3 (1997) – a smaller part
• Ghost World (2001) – dark comedy that showcased her range

The Big Breakthrough (2003-2004): Lost in Translation

Everything changed in 2003 when director Sofia Coppola cast 17-year-old Scarlett in Lost in Translation alongside Bill Murray.

Playing Charlotte, a lonely young wife in Tokyo, Scarlett delivered a performance that seemed decades beyond her age. The film earned her:

• A BAFTA Award for Best Actress
• A Golden Globe nomination
• International recognition as a serious actress

That same year, she starred in Girl with a Pearl Earring as the muse of painter Johannes Vermeer. Two critically acclaimed performances in one year cemented her status as Hollywood’s new “It Girl.”

Woody Allen Era (2005-2008)

Director Woody Allen became fascinated with Scarlett’s old-Hollywood charm, comparing her to Lauren Bacall. She appeared in three of his films:

• Match Point (2005) – sultry thriller
• Scoop (2006) – comedy mystery
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) – earned her another Golden Globe nomination

The Marvel Revolution (2010-2021): Becoming Black Widow

In 2010, everything changed again. Scarlett was cast as Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in Iron Man 2.

Initially paid just $400,000, she had no idea this role would define a generation. She appeared in nine Marvel films:

1. Iron Man 2 (2010)
2. The Avengers (2012)
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
5. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
7. Captain Marvel (2019) – cameo
8. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
9. Black Widow (2021) – solo film

By her final Marvel films, she was earning $15 million per movie, plus backend bonuses.

Record-Breaking Box Office Success

Thanks to Marvel, Scarlett became the highest-grossing actress of all time. Her films have earned over $14.8 billion worldwide at the box office. That’s more than any other actress in history.

Oscar Nominations (2019): Double Recognition

In 2019, Scarlett made history by receiving two Academy Award nominations in the same year:

• Best Actress for Marriage Story (playing a divorcing actress)
• Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit (playing a German mother during WWII)

She was the first actress in the 2010s to achieve this double nomination feat.

Recent Projects (2022-2026)

2023: Appeared in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City at the Cannes Film Festival

2024: Made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, which premiered to positive reviews

2026: Starred in Jurassic World Rebirth, which grossed over $300 million in its opening week

Personal Life: Love, Marriage, and Family

Ryan Reynolds (2008-2011): The First Marriage

Scarlett’s first marriage was to Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds. They dated in 2007, got engaged in 2008, and married in a private ceremony in British Columbia.

The couple kept their relationship extremely private, rarely appearing together publicly. They separated in December 2010 and finalized their divorce in 2011. Both have since spoken about how young they were and how the marriage simply didn’t work out.

Interesting fact: Ryan Reynolds is now married to Blake Lively, and both couples have moved on amicably.

Romain Dauriac (2014-2017): The French Connection

In 2012, Scarlett began dating Romain Dauriac, a French journalist and advertising executive. They got engaged in September 2013.

Their daughter, Rose Dorothy Dauriac, was born on August 30, 2014. The couple married in October 2014 in a quiet ceremony in Montana.

However, the marriage was short-lived. They separated in mid-2016 and finalized their divorce in September 2017. Despite the split, they share custody of Rose and maintain a respectful co-parenting relationship.

Colin Jost (2017-Present): Finding True Love

Scarlett met Colin Jost, a comedian and Saturday Night Live writer, when she hosted the show in 2006. But they didn’t start dating until 2017, after reconnecting years later.

Their relationship was different from the start. Colin’s humor balanced Scarlett’s intensity, and they shared similar values about privacy and family.

They got engaged in May 2019 and married in October 2020 in an intimate ceremony at their New York home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In August 2021, they welcomed their son, Cosmo Jost. Colin announced the birth on Instagram with his typical humor: “Ok ok we had a baby. His name is Cosmo. We love him very much.”

Children: Motherhood Matters Most

Scarlett is a devoted mother to two children:

Rose Dorothy Dauriac (born 2014)

• Lives with both parents in shared custody
• Scarlett keeps her life extremely private
• Once said Rose sees her as a “superhero who fights bad guys”

Cosmo Jost (born 2021)

• Lives with Scarlett and Colin in New York
• Named Cosmo (a unique choice!)
• Scarlett says motherhood changed her perspective on everything

“Being a mom is the most important role I’ll ever play,” she told Ellen DeGeneres in 2022.

Physical Appearance: Hollywood’s Timeless Beauty

Feature	Details
Height	5’3″ (160 cm)
Weight	Approximately 125 lbs (57 kg)
Hair Color	Naturally blonde (often dyes it red)
Eye Color	Green
Body Type	Hourglass, athletic build
Distinctive Feature	Husky, sultry voice

The Voice That Captivates

One of Scarlett’s most distinctive features isn’t visible—it’s her voice. Deep, husky, and instantly recognizable, her voice has been called “sultry” and “smoky.” She even voiced an AI operating system in the film Her (2013), proving her voice alone can carry a performance.

Tattoos: Hidden Art

While not heavily tattooed, Scarlett has several meaningful tattoos:

• A flying owl on her ribcage
• A horseshoe (for luck)
• A sunrise on her left forearm (symbolizing hope)
• An Avengers logo (matching with her Marvel co-stars)
• Interlocking circles between her shoulder blades

Each tattoo has personal significance, though she rarely discusses them publicly.

Net Worth: How Rich is Scarlett Johansson?

As of 2025, Scarlett Johansson’s net worth is estimated between $165 million and $180 million.

How She Built Her Fortune

1. Film Salaries

• Early career: $50,000-$400,000 per film
• Mid-career: $5-10 million per film
• Marvel peak: $15 million per film
• Highest single salary: $17.5 million for Ghost in the Shell (2017)

2. Marvel Backend Deals

• Earned additional percentage of box office profits
• Total Marvel earnings: $60-75 million estimated
• Black Widow lawsuit settlement: $40+ million

3. Brand Endorsements ($10-20 million yearly)

• L’Oréal Paris (long-term spokesperson)
• Dolce & Gabbana (fragrance campaigns)
• Moët & Chandon (champagne brand ambassador)
• Louis Vuitton (fashion campaigns)
• SodaStream (controversial but lucrative)

4. Business Ventures

• The Outset (launched 2022): Clean skincare brand co-founded with Kate Foster
• These Pictures: Her production company focused on female-driven content
• Real estate investments in New York and Los Angeles

The Disney Lawsuit: A $40 Million Win

In July 2021, Scarlett sued Disney, claiming the company breached her contract by releasing Black Widow simultaneously on Disney+ and in theaters. Her contract guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release, and the streaming release cost her millions in box office bonuses.

Disney’s initial response was harsh, publicly revealing her $20 million salary. But Scarlett didn’t back down.

By September 2021, they settled out of court. While terms were confidential, reports suggest Scarlett received over $40 million, making it one of Hollywood’s biggest legal victories for an actor.

Awards and Achievements: Recognition Beyond the Box Office

Award	Year	Film/Category
BAFTA Award	2004	Best Actress (Lost in Translation)
Tony Award	2010	Best Featured Actress (A View from the Bridge)
César Award	2014	Honorary César for career achievements
MTV Generation Award	2021	Lifetime achievement recognition

Oscar Nominations (But No Wins Yet)

• 2020: Best Actress (Marriage Story)
• 2020: Best Supporting Actress (Jojo Rabbit)

Other Honors

• Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2012)
• Named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People (2021)
• Highest-paid actress in the world (2018, 2019 by Forbes)
• Ranked #3 on FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women (multiple years)

Beyond Acting: Music, Theater, and Business

Music Career

Scarlett isn’t just an actress—she’s also released music:

• Anywhere I Lay My Head (2008): Album of Tom Waits covers
• Break Up (2009): Collaboration with Pete Yorn
• Various soundtrack contributions

Her smoky voice translated surprisingly well to alternative music, though she’s never pursued it full-time.

Broadway Success

Scarlett proved her stage chops with several Broadway appearances:

• A View from the Bridge (2010) – Won Tony Award
• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2013) – Revival
• Various one-off performances

The Outset: Beauty Entrepreneur

In 2022, Scarlett co-founded The Outset, a clean skincare line. After years of harsh makeup and lighting on film sets, she wanted to create gentle, effective products.

The brand focuses on:

• Clean, sustainable ingredients
• Minimal but effective routines
• Accessible pricing
• Gender-neutral products

It’s been featured in Vogue, Allure, and Glamour, with celebrity fans including Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon.

Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know

1. Dual Citizenship: She holds both American and Danish passports through her father.
2. Lost a Role to Kirsten Dunst: Auditioned for Jumanji (1995) but lost to Dunst.
3. Voice Acting Pro: Besides Her, she voiced characters in The Jungle Book, Sing 2, and Isle of Dogs.
4. Shortest Avenger: At 5’3″, she’s the shortest member of the Avengers cast.
5. Social Media Hater: Scarlett doesn’t have any official social media accounts. She says Instagram made her anxious and affected her mental health.
6. Political Activist: Campaigned for Barack Obama and supported Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren in presidential races.
7. Oxfam Ambassador: Served as global ambassador until 2014 when she resigned due to controversy over her SodaStream endorsement.
8. Method Actor: Studied Method acting at Lee Strasberg, the same school as Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.
9. First Marvel Role Almost Went to Emily Blunt: Emily was cast first but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
10. Most Profitable Actress Ever: Her films have grossed more at the box office than any actress in history.

Philanthropy: Using Fame for Good

Scarlett has quietly supported numerous charitable causes:

Causes She Champions

• Stand Up To Cancer: Lost her grandmother to cancer
• Planned Parenthood: Vocal advocate for women’s reproductive rights
• USA Harvest: Fighting hunger in America
• Oxfam (until 2014): Global poverty and humanitarian crises
• Hurricane Maria Relief: Donated $500,000 with fellow Avengers

In 2008, she auctioned off a date to the premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You on eBay, raising £20,000 for Oxfam.

What’s Next for Scarlett Johansson?

At 40, Scarlett shows no signs of slowing down.

Upcoming Projects

• Continuing to direct through her production company
• Expanding The Outset skincare internationally
• Rumored return to Marvel in future projects (possibly producer role)
• Multiple film projects in development for 2025-2026

Life Goals

In recent interviews, Scarlett has shifted focus:

• Spending more time with Rose and Cosmo
• Directing more films
• Producing content that empowers women
• Growing The Outset into a major beauty brand
• Continuing to break barriers for actresses over 40

“I’m finally comfortable in my own skin,” she told Vanity Fair in 2024. “My 40s are the best years of my life so far.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Scarlett Johansson isn’t just an actress—she’s a cultural icon who’s redefined what it means to be a leading lady in Hollywood.

From her humble beginnings in Manhattan to becoming the highest-grossing actress of all time, she’s proven that talent, determination, and smart choices can build an empire.

She’s juggled motherhood, marriages, business ventures, and a demanding career while staying grounded and authentic. At 41, she’s entering what she calls “the best chapter yet.”