Natalie Portman’s dad wanted her to quit acting for a very good reason

Natalie Portman may be one of the most accomplished actors in Hollywood, but there was at time that her dad wanted her to quit.

Acting steadily since she was 11 years-old, accumulating 30 film credits and an Oscar, as well as a degree in psychology from Harvard (not to mention two children), her father’s primary concern was her intellectual fulfillment. And, of course, her happiness.

“My dad pulled me aside when I was 25 and was like, ‘I think it’s time for you to go to law school or grad school,'" Portman told Variety.

She made it clear that he had her best interest at heart. After all, she’d been acting for so long. He figure it was time for a break to try something else.

Natalie said, "Not that he was saying that acting was bad, but more that he was like, ‘I think you’ll be more fulfilled if you have something more—like a life of the mind.

After much self-reflection, Portman decided to continue with her career in acting.

And with her recent buzz-worthy performance in Jackie, we’re sure happy with her decision.

She said she took her time with the decision.

“It took me a while, coming from that background [as a child actor before realizing], ‘This is what I want, and this is what I love. I enjoy this,’ she says.

Her former Harvard professor Alan M. Dershowitz told The Harvard Crimson of how she parlays her psychology degree into her acting career.

“Her psychology background helped her in formulating the role for [Black Swan], he revealed. “She’s an actor who uses her academic background.

And that’s a woman using her brain for all of our benefits. We thank you, Ms. Portman.

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