Natalie Portman on Method Acting: A Luxury Out of Reach for Women

Natalie Portman, an Oscar-winning actress, has expressed her perspective on method acting, stating that it is a luxury that women cannot afford. She emphasized that she has never utilized this technique in her acting career. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published on Monday, Portman shared her views on the topic.

"I doubt that my kids or significant other would appreciate me insisting on being called Jackie Kennedy all the time," referring to the movie "Jackie" where Natalie Portman portrays the former first lady in the aftermath of her husband's assassination. In her interview with WSJ, Portman also talked about her part in Todd Haynes' upcoming film "May December," where she portrays a fictional actress named Elizabeth Berry, who is tasked with shadowing a woman with a scandalous history in order to play her in a movie.

Portman is no stranger to rigorous preparation, dedicating five hours a day to intense ballet training six days a week for several months for her role in "Black Swan." Despite this, she has stated that she has never utilized method acting. The technique, developed by Russian theater director Konstantin Stanislavski in the 1900s and later expanded upon by renowned acting coach Lee Strasberg, is described by the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

May December. (L to R) Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry and Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo in May December. Cr. Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix

Francois Duhamel/Netflix

In May December, Natalie Portman undergoes an unsettling transformation

Actors are encouraged to tap into their "physical, mental, and emotional selves" and draw on personal life experiences to create a character, according to the institute. This approach provokes varied responses among actors regarding its usefulness. Notable actors such as Jeremy Strong, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Robert De Niro have utilized this immersive technique, even remaining in character throughout a project.

Other female actors have also embraced method acting. For example, in 2021, Lady Gaga revealed to British Vogue that she utilized method acting to embody socialite Patrizia Reggiani in the fashion biopic "House of Gucci," a performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. On the other hand, some actors have voiced their concerns about the approach.

During an interview on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" in 2021, "Succession" actor Brian Cox expressed concern about his co-star Jeremy Strong's approach to acting. Cox worried that getting too immersed in the material on a daily basis could lead to burnout. On the other hand, Meryl Streep admitted to feeling "so depressed" while using a similar technique to portray Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada."

CNNs Sana Noor Haq contributed to this report.