The actress talked to ET in 1994 about tackling adult themes in her first film, 'Leon: The Professional'.
In honor of ET's 35th anniversary this year, we’re flashing back, taking a look at the first time our favorite stars sat down for an interview.
In 1994, before Black Swan, Garden State, or even Star Wars, Natalie Portman was an up-and-coming actress who had just starred in her first feature film, Leon: The Professional, in which she played a girl taken in by a hitman after her parents are murdered.
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Portman opened up to ET about taking on the role in the Luc Besson film, which contained some very grown-up themes.
"My parents were uncomfortable with some parts," the then-13-year-old admitted. "There is a lot of cursing and so they took out some of the cursing, and they were uncomfortable with the smoking, so they said I could take three puffs. It's an herbal cigarette, it's not a real cigarette."
The actress said that one of the hardest scenes for her to do was a moment in the film where her character has to act seductive.
"It's kind of a sexy-type scene," she said. "Not very sexy, but she is acting very flirtatious and I am not that kind of person. It was really embarrassing because my mom was on the set."
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But the industry also has its perks, a young Portman explained, telling ET how Brad Pitt had come to a screening of the film the day before, but left before the young actress had a chance to meet him.
"My friend and I were really upset, so my agents tried to set up a lunch for us today but I don't know," she said with a giggle. "But I am really excited if it does [happen]. Because I love Brad Pitt."
ET: Before They Were Famous is available on newsstands and at OnNewsstandsNow.com
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