Scarlett Johansson ranks as Hollywood’s highest-grossing lead actor with over $15.4 billion in worldwide box office receipts. Born November 22, 1984, in Manhattan, she’s now 40 years old with an estimated net worth of $165 million. Her career spans blockbusters like Black Widow and critically acclaimed films like Marriage Story.
Standing 5’3″ tall, Johansson married Saturday Night Live writer Colin Jost in October 2020. She has two children: daughter Rose Dorothy from her second marriage and son Cosmo with Jost. Her life balances motherhood, entrepreneurship through The Outset skincare line, and a production company called These Pictures.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Scarlett Ingrid Johansson |
| Date of Birth | November 22, 1984 |
| Age | 40 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5’3″ (1.60 m) |
| Birthplace | Manhattan, New York City |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Danish, Polish-Jewish, Russian-Jewish |
| Current Husband | Colin Jost (m. 2020) |
| Previous Marriages | Ryan Reynolds (2008-2011), Romain Dauriac (2014-2017) |
| Children | Rose Dorothy (b. 2014), Cosmo (b. 2021) |
| Net Worth | $165 million (estimated, 2025) |
| Box Office Total | $15.4 billion worldwide |
| Famous Role | Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (MCU) |
| Awards | Tony Award (2010), BAFTA Award (2004) |
| Oscar Nominations | 5 nominations |
| Production Company | These Pictures (founded 2024) |
| Business Ventures | The Outset skincare (co-founded 2022) |
Early Life and Heritage
Scarlett Ingrid Johansson grew up in Greenwich Village as one of four siblings, including her twin brother Hunter Johansson. Her mother Melanie Sloan worked as a producer while her Danish father brought a European influence to the household. The family lived modestly, with Johansson attending PS 41 elementary school before her parents divorced when she turned 13.
Her Jewish heritage carries deep historical weight discovered through PBS’s Finding Your Roots in 2017. Johansson’s maternal great-grandfather’s brother Mosze Szlamberg and his children died in the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust. Her great-uncle, 1st Lt. Philip Schlamberg, flew P-51 Mustangs in World War II and became the last American pilot killed on August 14, 1945—the day Japan surrendered.
This family military legacy led Johansson to support Operation Warrior Wellness, a David Lynch Foundation division helping veterans with Transcendental Meditation. She worked directly with Jerry Yellin, who flew the final mission with her great-uncle. Her grandmother Dorothy Sloan, a bookkeeper and schoolteacher, became her closest confidant throughout childhood.
Breakthrough Performance Years
Johansson started acting at age nine, making her film debut in North (1994) after appearing on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Her distinctively deep voice initially hurt her chances in commercials. She later recalled: “At the age of 9, I sounded like a whiskey-drinking, chain-smoking fool.”
Her role in Manny & Lo (1996) caught critic Mick LaSalle’s attention, who predicted she could “become an important actress” if she navigated adolescence successfully. That prediction materialized in 2003 when Johansson delivered dual breakthrough performances at age 17. Lost in Translation opposite Bill Murray earned widespread acclaim in Sofia Coppola’s intimate character study.
Simultaneously, her portrayal of Griet in Girl with a Pearl Earring earned dual BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations in the same category. Anthony Lane of The New Yorker captured her screen magnetism, describing how she could “summon a closeup and bloom under its gaze.” Robert Redford, who directed her in The Horse Whisperer (1998), described the 13-year-old as “13 going on 30.”
Marvel Cinematic Universe Journey
Johansson joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Iron Man 2 (2010) after Emily Blunt withdrew due to scheduling conflicts. She earned $400,000 for that initial appearance as Natasha Romanoff. Her character evolved from a supporting role into a nine-film arc that redefined female representation in superhero cinema.
Her Marvel salary grew from $6 million for The Avengers (2012) to $35 million for Avengers: Endgame (2019). She approached the character thoughtfully, noting films rarely portrayed female characters where “sex appeal sort of came second.” During Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Johansson was pregnant and used stunt doubles with visual effects to complete action sequences.
The Black Widow solo film (2021) sparked a legal battle when Disney released it simultaneously on Disney+ and in theaters. Johansson sued, arguing the dual release breached her contract and cost her box office bonuses. The settlement exceeded $40 million according to Variety, and she continued working with Disney, executive producing Thunderbolts*.
Artistic Risks and Recognition
Between Marvel commitments, Johansson pursued challenging artistic projects that showcased her range beyond action sequences. Spike Jonze’s Her (2013) featured her voice-only performance as an artificial intelligence, replacing Samantha Morton in post-production. She recorded all dialogue after filming wrapped, creating an intimate portrayal of consciousness.
Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013) pushed boundaries with Johansson driving through Glasgow, improvising with non-professional actors unaware they were being filmed. The experimental science fiction film featured full-frontal nudity that Johansson carefully considered. Critic Maureen Foster praised the “depth, breadth, and range” she achieved despite limited emotional response allowed by the character.
Her dual Academy Award nominations in 2020 made her the twelfth performer nominated for two Oscars in the same year. Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story earned her a Best Actress nod while Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit brought a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She appeared in four films nominated for Best Picture, including Lost in Translation (2003) and Her (2013).
Personal Life and Relationships
Johansson’s first marriage to Ryan Reynolds lasted from 2008 to 2011 when she was just 23 years old, according to People Magazine. She reflected years later in Vanity Fair: “I didn’t really have an understanding of marriage.” Her second marriage to French businessman Romain Dauriac (2014-2017) produced daughter Rose Dorothy, born August 30, 2014.
She began dating Colin Jost in May 2017 after first meeting him in 2006 when hosting SNL. The relationship evolved slowly, with Johansson later explaining she realized compassion was fundamental in a partner. They married in October 2020 at their New York home during a small COVID-compliant ceremony.
Their son Cosmo arrived in August 2021, named after the cosmos flower. Rose remains too frightened to watch her mother’s Marvel films. The actress has been candid about parenting challenges, once comparing life with a three-year-old to “being in an emotionally abusive relationship.”
Controversies and Backlash
Johansson’s casting as Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell (2017) sparked widespread whitewashing criticism. The film grossed only $169.8 million against a $110 million budget, underperforming commercially. She initially defended the role but later stated she would never play a non-white character again.
Her planned role as transgender massage parlor owner Dante “Tex” Gill in Rub & Tug drew similar backlash in 2018. Johansson withdrew from the project, acknowledging many felt the role should go to a transgender performer. The film never moved forward after her exit.
In May 2024, Scarlett Johansson accused OpenAI of using a voice resembling hers after she declined to collaborate with the company, as reported by BBC News. She publicly criticized the company for the unauthorized similarity. This incident raised questions about AI voice rights and celebrity consent in the digital age.
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Music, Theater, and Stage
Johansson released her debut album Anywhere I Lay My Head in 2008, featuring ten Tom Waits covers after listening to his music since age 11. David Bowie and members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs contributed to the album. She collaborated with Pete Yorn on Break Up (2009) and later Apart (2018).
Her Broadway career peaked with a 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in A View from the Bridge opposite Liev Schreiber. Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote she “melts into her character so thoroughly that her nimbus of celebrity disappears.” Some Broadway actors criticized the Tony committee for rewarding mainstream Hollywood actors.
She performed at Coachella with Jesus and Mary Chain in 2007 and formed The Singles with Este Haim from HAIM in 2015. The band received a cease-and-desist from an LA rock band of the same name. Her musical pursuits demonstrate artistic range beyond acting.
Financial Success and Business
Forbes named Johansson the world’s highest-paid actress in 2018 ($40.5 million) and 2019 ($56 million). Her box office dominance in 2016 reached $1.2 billion, making her the year’s top-grossing actor. As of October 2025, her career totals include $5.6 billion domestically and $15.4 billion worldwide.
She co-founded The Outset, a plant-based skincare line, with Kate Foster in 2022. Colin Jost served as a product tester, once panicking when a self-warming face mask made him think he was having an allergic reaction. Brand endorsements have included Dolce & Gabbana, L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton, Mango, and Moët & Chandon.
In 2024, Johansson founded the production company These Pictures, producing and starring in Fly Me to the Moon opposite Channing Tatum. Her directorial debut Eleanor the Great (2025) features June Squibb and reflects Johansson’s Jewish identity and memories of her formidable grandmother.
Advocacy and Activism
Johansson campaigned for John Kerry (2004), Barack Obama (2008, 2012), Hillary Clinton (2016), and Elizabeth Warren (2020 primaries). She spoke at the 2017 Women’s March addressing Donald Trump’s presidency and Planned Parenthood funding. In 2024, she joined other actors supporting Kamala Harris during the presidential election.
She served as an Oxfam ambassador from 2005 to 2014, resigning after controversy surrounding her SodaStream endorsement, according to The Guardian. The Israeli company’s factory in Mishor Adumim, a West Bank settlement, created controversy. Johansson chose the commercial partnership over the humanitarian role.
She raised $500,000 with fellow Avengers cast members for Hurricane Maria victims in 2017. In December 2020, three members of Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights were released after Johansson described their detention circumstances. Her activism combines electoral politics with humanitarian causes.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Johansson helped redefine female action heroes by making Black Widow more than a sexualized sidekick. Her character demonstrated moral complexity and emotional depth across nine films. IndieWire credited her for “taking on risky roles, such as in Her and Under the Skin.”
She received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on May 2, 2012, at 6931 Hollywood Boulevard. Time recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in both 2021 and 2025. Her career demonstrates that commercial success and artistic integrity need not be mutually exclusive.
As of October 2025, Johansson stars in Jurassic World Rebirth, fulfilling a decade-long desire to join the franchise. She reunited with Wes Anderson for The Phoenician Scheme and balances work with parenting two young children. Her willingness to sue Disney over streaming revenue influenced industry conversations about talent compensation.
Conclusion
Scarlett Johansson built a career that balances $15.4 billion in box office receipts with critically acclaimed dramatic performances. She navigated Hollywood’s evolution from child actor to the highest-grossing lead actor in history. Her impact includes redefining female superhero representation and speaking openly about pay equity.
At 40, she continues expanding her influence through directing, producing, and entrepreneurship while raising Rose and Cosmo with husband Colin Jost. Whether remembered primarily for Black Widow, her dramatic range, or industry advocacy, her impact on 21st-century cinema remains undeniable.
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FAQ About Scarlett Johansson
How tall is Scarlett Johansson?
She stands 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) tall.
What is Scarlett Johansson’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth his net worth is Approximately $165 million as of 2025.
Who is Scarlett Johansson married to?
Colin Jost, married in October 2020.
How many children does Scarlett Johansson have?
Two: Rose Dorothy (born 2014) and Cosmo (born 2021).
What is Scarlett Johansson’s highest-grossing film?
Avengers: Endgame (2019) at $2.798 billion worldwide.
How much did Scarlett Johansson earn from Black Widow?
$20 million upfront, with settlement exceeding $40 million total.
Has Scarlett Johansson won an Oscar?
No, but she has five nominations including dual nods in 2020.
What businesses does Scarlett Johansson own?
The Outset skincare (2022) and These Pictures production company (2024).
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.