Rosie O'Donnell: Our next guest is a very, very talented young actress, who currently stars as the legendary Anne Frank on Broadway. Some of her films include The Professional, Heat, Mars Attacks, and Beautiful Girls. Take a look.

[cut to clip of Beautiful Girls--the skating scene between Marty and Willie]

RO: Please welcome Natalie Portman.

[Natalie walks out onto the set. Natalie and Rosie hug and whisper to each other while music is playing]

RO: Well, hi, Natalie.

NP: Hi.

RO: How are you?

NP: I'm good.

RO: Are you tired?

NP: Yes, I am.

RO: Natalie is currently, uh, starring as Anne Frank in the Diary of Anne Frank at the Music Box Theatre [holds up playbill; audience claps] and you are absolutely, uh, amazing in it.

NP: Thank you.

RO: And it must be very difficult to do every night, as I spoke to Linda Lavin and you after the show, because, you know, every...it's so emotionally gut -wrenching. Was it hard to play?

NP: It's...it's very difficult to do every night because it is so sad, but, um, after doing it so many times it becomes almost not sad sometimes, because you do it every night.

RO: Right.

NP: So it...it...that's when it gets scary, because it's possibly the saddest story in the world and then when you can't cry from it, it...it gets you scared because it like desensitizes you.

RO: I can't imagine that you could be that emotionally connected and be able to perform it eight times a week.

NP: It's hard, especially with school. I mean last night after the...after the show, I had to go home and, you know, study my physics [giggles] until one in the morning.

RO: Yeah, now what grade are you in?

NP: I'm in eleventh grade. Junior.

RO: You're in eleventh grade, yeah. And I know at the premiere of Beautiful Girls, you didn't get to go to the LA premiere or was it the NY premiere?

NP: I don't remember. I think I just had to go home early one night.

RO: Yeah, because you had finals.

NP: Yes.

RO: Yeah. It's tough being a movie star and an eleventh grader, isn't it?

NP: Yes. It's hard.

RO: You live in Long Island?

NP: Yes.

RO: As did I...there you go...that's me [Rosie and Natalie 'high five']. I get a ride home with you after the show. Do you find it, uh, tough to be like in the movies and in school and...

NP: And Long Island?

RO: Yeah, and Long Island?

NP: Yeah, it's...it's...it's tough, it's a challenge, but it's fun, it keeps your adrenalin going all the time.

RO: And did you grow up seeing Broadway shows?

NP: Um, yes, I did. Well we moved to New York when I was about nine and we've been seeing Broadway shows all the time.

RO: And this is your debut, though, isn't it?

NP: Yes.

RO: Yeah, and when they called you and said Anne Frank, were you a little overwhelmed?

NP: [softly] I was...it was...a dream for me.

RO: Did you go and see the Anne Frank house?

NP: Yes, I did. I went there twice and the second time I got to meet Miep [Gies], who was one of the hiders of the family and that was just amazing because she's such a...a hero. I mean she...she...risked her life to save these people and she totally didn't have to.

RO: And she's actually the one who found the diary?

NP: Yes. Yes. Yeah, and I felt really bad because I said to her 'I'm sure everyone cries when they meet you.' I mean, could you imagine your whole life going around and everyone just meeting you and starting to cry.

RO: Yeah, that's how I saw it. I, like everyone else, was crying. Except for the one guy. Should I tell the people that story?

NP: Yes.

RO: All right, so you go to see Anne Frank. And you all know the story and you know what's going to happen at the end, but it still rips your soul apart, what it does. You're sitting in the theatre and everyone is sobbing uncontrollable, and it's over, and there's like silence in the theatre, because it's so profound. And this man stands up and turns around to these people behind him and says to the guy [in exaggerated New York accent]: 'You ruined this whole show for me. Your kids were talking so loud and ruined the whole show. What kind of a guy would bring kids to the show, you stupid?' I couldn't believe after this, like, unbelievably soul-wrenching tribute to humanity, I had to hear some New Yorker going [in the same accent]: 'Listen, you stupid idiot. What are you ruining the show?' But I thought it was great that there were kids there.

NP: It was...it...that's the best part about it. Yesterday, uh, you know Wednesday matinees are when we get all the kids because school groups come and they're always really, you know, loud and noisy, but it's fun. It gives a new energy. But, um, there's a date scene in the show, and...and it's kinda working up to a kiss, and...uh...so right before, some kid in the audience goes [makes kissing sound][laughs]. And we were just like 'Oh'. And then we kissed and some kid goes 'Word'. And we were like 'What!' [laughs]

RO: Woah. Did it throw you off a little bit?

NP: Yeah, we, uh, well we've learned how to deal with that kinda stuff because, you know, we get that stuff a lot from when kids do the show, you know they like to have fun and fool around, which is great. It makes it more exciting, but....

RO: How long is the run there for you? Do they know yet?

NP: I...I think I'm going to be in it until springtime.

RO: That's great.

NP: Yeah.

RO: And are you going to do another movie? What's up for you in that area?

NP: Um, I finished Star Wars over the summer. The first one.

RO: Star Wars. And who are you playing?

NP: Um, Princess Leia's mother.

NP: [after silence] Everyone's like 'huh'.

RO: It's the pre-trilogy.

NP: Yeah, it happens before.

RO: And you're going to do all three right?

NP: Yes, so I have the next ones coming up in a few years.

RO: That's exciting, isn't it?

NP: Yeah, it's really fun.

RO: Can you tell us what happened?

NP: No. [laughs]

RO: Not at all?

NP: No.

RO: Can you tell me at the commercial?

NP: No.

RO: If I beg you? Come on Natalie. Please.

NP: I'm sorry.

RO: I know you. We did the movie. I won't tell anyone.

NP: I'm sorry. [laughing]

RO: All right, don't go away, we're going to talk more with you, you adorable thing, after this break. Natalie Portman. When we get back.

[Cut to commercial]

RO: Back with Natalie Portman. Look at this, you. Cover of this book. [holds up cover of book "Beyond Beauty"] Uh, you're awful cute. Has anyone ever told you that?

NP: Thank you.

RO: Aw, I bet they have. And, uh, this is actually a book that's sort of Beyond Beauty, and it talks about, you know, ways that people feel beautiful inside and out, right?

NP: Yeah, uh, I mean it sounds kinda cliche, but there is, I mean there is so much stuff in the media right now that's negative imagery for kids, you know, 'you have to be beautiful, you have to be thin, whatever,' so this book is really about, it's a lot of young girls who have done, uh, things with their lives that don't have to do with their beauty, have to do with, you know, their personalities or their intelligence. And there's like a political activist, and a violinist, and a dancer, actors, and a whole big group of people.

RO: Well, good. That's a really important message.

NP: Thank you.

RO: And I know that you use your intelligence, uh, frequently. You are a straight A student, are you not?

NP: [Smiles, looking embarrassed]

RO: Come on, don't lie to me.

NP: More or...

RO: I know your parents.

NP: [laughs] I try.

RO: Yeah, you are...Yeah, you do good.

NP: Thank you.

RO: Yeah, you're going to go to college, right?

NP: Yes.

RO: Good. One of those Ivy League ones, maybe?

NP: I don't know. I haven't...thought of it. [softly]

RO: Yeah, probably. Whatever. You're a smartie. Uh, I hear one of your idols came to the show.

NP: Yes. Well, first of all, we've had all these, you know, celebrities coming to the show, and it's so nice to meet them, but, I mean...it's just...you know, I don't really get excited that often. Jennifer Grey came. I jumped on her.

RO: You did!?

NP: [excitedly] 'Cause...'cause until I was twelve years old I wanted to be Baby in Dirty Dancing. That was my life.

RO: Who didn't? Who didn't?

NP: It was the greatest movie. I watched it a thousand times. So I jumped on her. I think I scared her. She came back to say, you know, 'I liked the show, it was great, whatever'. And...and I just attacked her and hugged her and said, 'O my god, you're my favorite. I love you'.

RO: That's so sweet actually. I loved that movie too, but I more related to the sister. Remember Jennifer Grey's sister?

NP: [laughs] The one that was like 'La Di Da Da' [laughing].

RO: That's right, the one in the talent show that was like the dork. 'La Di Da Da'. I loved that. That was a fun movie.

NP: Best line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner".

RO: In a corner. That's a good one. [Natalie and Rosie slap hands] [Rosie sings the following: 'Cause I've had the time of my life and I never felt this way before'.] And it is actually good. Did you ever see Funny Girl? Just asking.

NP: No. I'm sorry.

RO: You never saw Funny Girl?

NP: I'm like evil now.

RO: Natalie, honestly?

NP: Really. I'm sorry.

RO: I got copies in my dressing room. I keep them for people like you. For emergencies. For young artists who have not yet experienced pure bliss and perfection. I will give you a copy.

NP: Okay, I'll watch it.

RO: You'll watch it and you'll write a small essay on why you find it enjoyable. [Natalie laughs] And you will have it before you appear on this show again to promote Star Wars. Do you understand me?

NP: OK.

RO: All right. All your friends are, uh, they're in the back.

NP: Yes.

RO: Tell them all I said 'Hi'.

NP: It's my friend's Brook's birthday.

RO: Happy Birthday, Brook! Every time I see you, you've got, like, nineteen of your Long Island friends.

NP: Yes.

RO: It makes me feel like....

NP: Yeah, well I have the best friends in the world.

RO: You do seem to have them.

NP: Yes.

RO: Yeah, they were at every event, function, party, cheering you on and making you laugh. But, uh, Natalie, in all honesty, you really did amaze me in this performance.

NP: Thank you so much.

RO: You were really beautiful and, uh....

NP: Thank you.

RO: ....and so moving. Go see it, you won't regret it. Uh, the Diary of Anne Frank [holds up cover of playbill]. Natalie Portman. The Music Box Theatre. Thank you for being here honey.

NP: Thank you.