Scarlett Johansson

By Ines Mendoza
Gallery : Scarlett Johansson Pictures

Advertisement

Hollywood sirens come and go. After all, fame and beauty is traditionally quite fleeting - but every so often one woman comes along who makes such an impression on the world that their image will be etched in history.

You kind of get that feeling about box office darling (who is making waves in Iron Man 2) Scarlett Johansson...

Born November 22 in 1984 in New York City, this Danish-American actress and singer has risen to fame quicker than you can say "Paris Hilton gave me VD", thanks largely to those luscious pouty lips that make women jealous... and men weak at the knees.

Scarlett reportedly grew up in a household with little money, but thanks to the inspiration of her "film buff" mother, it wasn't long until Johansson began honing her craft. Attending the Professional Children's School in Manhattan, Scarlett graduated in 2002... and from there it's all been uphill.

While Johansson made her film debut in 1994's North, it wasn't until her performance in the cult classics The Horse Whisperer (1998) and 2001's Ghost World that the world discovered not only an amazing acting talent but a beauty as well.

Winning the "Upstream Prize" for Best Actress at 2003's Venice Film Festival for her performance in Sophia Coppola's Lost in Translation (she was also nominated for two Best Actress awards at the Golden Globes, one for Girl with a Pearl Earring and one for Lost in Translation) Scarlett's place in Hollywood was cemented.

Not satisfied conquering the Americas, she also took home nominations and awards at the BAFTAS, where she was nominated for Best Actress for both films, as well as winning Best Actress for Lost in Translation.

From there, the offers kept rolling in. 

In 2004 she scored prominent roles in A Love Song, The Perfect Score and In Good Company - again earning her Golden Globe Award nominations. Reports that year also suggested she was destined for a role in Mission Impossible III, but a "scheduling conflict" led the role going to JJ Abrams personal favourite Keri Russell (although, insiders suggest Johansson had a falling out with star Tom Cruise).

However, it wasn't long until the world of Big Budget epics came calling once again, with Scarlett taking on a role alongside Ewan McGregor in Michael Bay's 2005 flop The Island.

For many, a worldwide financial and critical disaster could spell the end for many young actresses - but not for our dear Scarlett Johansson, who picked herself up and headed back to the indie circuit taking on the starring role in the Woody Allen-directed drama Match Point. 

This led to her fourth Golden Globe nomination - and was the starting point for what now seems to be Hollywood's strongest on-screen bond between her and the infamous director.

Scoop (another collaboration with Allen and Aussie Hugh Jackman) soon followed, as did the highly under-rated Brian De Palma film The Black Dahlia, as well as The Dark Knight director, Christopher Nolan's thriller The Prestige (again with Jackman). 

She received mixed reviews for 2007's The Nanny Diaries, but gained acclaim for 2008's The Other Boleyn Girl (with yet another Aussie, Eric Bana).

So, Scarlett Johansson can act. She can model. Surely that must be all? Afraid not!

It seems the buxom blonde can also a carry a tune (albeit tunes originally composed by a heroin addict). 

Her debut album consisted of one original song and ten cover versions of Tom Waits songs and featured David Bowie, members from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Celebration. 

Entitled "Anywhere I Lay My Head", the album received a large number of negative reviews, with many concentrating on her supposedly "sub-par vocal abilities" and the "perceived failure to add a new dimension to the well-established classics" she chose to cover.

As for her personal life, Scarlett's movements remain a mystery. 

Johansson has been romantically linked with Jack Antonoff (a member of the band Steel Train), Derek Jeter, Benicio del Toro, Jared Leto, Justin Timberlake, Josh Hartnett and most recently Ryan Reynolds (best known as Van Wilder) who, until recently, she was married to.

That's right boys - this cute little puppy is single again!

It has been reported that she gets tested for HIV twice a year, and is alleged to have said "it's part of being a decent human" and it is "disgusting" and "irresponsible" when people do not do so.... so at least we know it's as clean downstairs as it is up top!

Love life aside, Johansson is also a Global Ambassador, and campaigned, for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election as well as campaigning for Barrack Obama. Clearly a lefty.

Scarlett Johansson - a woman of many talents, skills (and she's even kissed a girl).... What more can you really ask for from a girl from humble New York beginnings?

Scarlett Johansson - Photo Gallery

Source: Unknown Photography: Unknown	Source: Unknown Photography: Unknown
Source: Unknown Photography: Unknown	Source: Unknown Photography: Unknown
Scarlett Johansson appeals to both Men & Women with those Pouty Lips!