Scarlett Johansson was born on 22 November 1984 in New York City to Melanie Sloan (of Polish descent) and Karsten Johansson (of Danish descent). Scarlett showed a passion for acting at a young age and starred in many plays. She has a sister named Vanessa Johansson, a brother named Adrian, and a twin brother named Hunter Johansson born three minutes after her.

She began her acting career in 1994 starring as "Laura Nelson" in North. In 1998, the acclaimed film The Horse Whisperer brought Johansson critical praise and worldwide recognition. Following the film's success, she starred in many other films including the critically acclaimed cult film Ghost World and then the hit Lost in Translation with Bill Murray in which she again stunned critics. Later on, she appeared in Girl with a Pearl Earring.

In 2003, she was nominated for two Golden Globes, one for drama (Girl with a Pearl Earring) and one for comedy (Lost in Translation). She dropped out of Mission: Impossible III due to scheduling conflicts. Her next film role was in The Island alongside Ewan McGregor which earned weak reviews from U.S. critics.

After this, she appeared in Woody Allen's Match Point and was nominated again for a Golden Globe.
Received an "introducing" credit for The Horse Whisperer although it was her seventh feature film. Has a younger twin brother, Hunter Johansson. Attended and graduated in 2002 from Professional Children's School in Manhattan, New York City. Grandchild of writer Ejner Johansson. Is of Danish descent on her father's side and Polish descent on her mother's side. Was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in June 2004. Applied to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for the fall 2003 semester, but was not accepted. The rejection allowed her to focus on her career, which blossomed soon after. Shortly after Lost in Translation was released, she said she had a connection to older men and couldn't see herself dating anyone under 30. True to her word, she had a relationship with actor Benicio Del Toro, who is 17 years her senior. Was cast as Rebecca in Thumbsucker, but dropped out before filming commenced and was replaced by Kelli Garner. Her father Karsten Johansson, a NY architect, and mother Melanie Sloan, her manager, now divorced, separated when she was 13. Campaigned for John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential Election. Celebrated her 20th birthday at Disneyland. Auditioned for a role in The Parent Trap, which finally went to Lindsay Lohan. Has an older half-brother (Christian), an older sister (Vanessa), an older brother (Adrian, born 1976) and a twin brother (Hunter). Planned to attend Purchase University to study film Her older sister, Vanessa Johansson, is also an actress. Prepared for her role in Lost in Translation by living on Hokkaido with then boyfriend Faiz Ahmad. She is three minutes older than twin brother Hunter Johansson. She says these three minutes are the most important in her life. Had tonsillectomy. First role (uncredited) was in a skit during the first year of Late Night with Conan O'Brien at age 8. She relived this moment during an interview with Conan on July 12, 2005, twelve years later. Father Karsten Johansson was born in Denmark, while her mother, Melanie Sloan, comes from a Bronx-bred family of Polish descent. Ranked #9 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World (2005). And was also the highest ranking new entry to the list. Named #24 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list. Director Sofia Coppola directed both Scarlett and her boyfriend Josh Hartnett, but not in the same movie. Scarlett was in Coppola's Lost in Translation and Hartnett starred in The Virgin Suicides She donated many items to Rocky Stone to be given to less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign. Was featured as #63 in Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100 of 2002" supplement. (2002) Named #6 on Maxim magazines "Hot 100" list of 2006 Chosen by FHM readers as "Sexiest Woman Alive" in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World (2006). Has a cat named Trooper. Named "Sexiest Woman Alive" by Esquire Magazine [October, 2006]. Named #1 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006). Member of the jury at the Venice Film Festival in 2004. Has been named the Sexiest Celebrity of 2007 by Playboy Magazine. Is a fan of Woody Allen. Ranked #3 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. Has a chihuahua named Maggie. Was considered for the role of Susan Storm/Invisible Girl in Fantastic Four. Was offered the role of Lindsey Farris in Mission: Impossible III. Was offered the role of Evey in V for Vendetta. Was offered the role of Lois Lane in Superman Returns. Is an alumni of the Lee Strasberg Institute such as actors Frank Miranda, Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson, Dennis Hopper, Julia Roberts. Was ranked #12 on Forbes List of The 20 Top-Earning Young Superstars.(2007). In 2006, she was earning $2 million per year representing L'Oreal cosmetics. In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year at $5 million. Supports Barack Obama. Was ranked #1 on Entertainment Weekly's '30 Under 30' the actress list. (2008). Raised money for international relief organization Oxfam by auctioning off two tickets for He's Just Not That Into You on eBay, giving the winning bidders the opportunity to mingle with her. [March 2008]