(1985-)

Who Is Gal Gadot?

Actress Gal Gadot first attracted notice as the winner of the Miss Israel competition in 2004. After undertaking two years of military service, she studied law before pursuing acting opportunities. Fast & Furious (2009), the fourth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise, was her first film role. Gadot was eventually tapped to play the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman on screen, earning praise for her leading performance in the 2017 box-office hit Wonder Woman.

Early Life

Gadot was born on April 30, 1985, in Rosh HaAyin, Israel. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother was a teacher. Gadot was an athletic child, studying dance and playing several sports in her youth. One of her first career ambitions was to be a choreographer, she told Vanity Fair.

Gadot entered the Miss Israel competition at age 18, thinking it would be a fun experience. “I never thought I would win,” she explained to Glamour magazine. “I was shocked when they crowned me.” This victory helped launch her career as a model. Gadot then served her mandatory two-year commitment in the Israel Defense Forces, before heading to college to study law.

While in college, Gadot was asked to audition to play the love interest of super spy James Bond in Quantum of Solace (2008). She had several callbacks, but she didn’t get the part. Still, the experience sparked her interest in acting. As Gadot told Interview magazine, “I realized it takes a lot to act, and it's so much more interesting than going to law school.” She soon landed a role on the Israeli TV series Bubot.

Film Career

'Fast & Furious' and Early Roles

In 2009, Gadot made her film debut as Gisele in Fast & Furious, starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. She returned to play the role in several sequels: Fast Five (2011), Fast & Furious 6 (2013) and Furious 7 (2015).

During this time, Gadot also appeared in 2010's Date Night and Night and Day, and had a supporting role in the Israeli feature Kicking Out Shoshana (2014). She went on to appear with Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Costner in the action drama Criminal (2016), and in the comedy Keeping Up with the Joneses with Isla Fisher and Jon Hamm.

'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

Gadot landed a role of a lifetime when she was cast as Wonder Woman (and her alter ego Diana Prince) for the big budget action film Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). Getting into character presented her with some challenges, as she told Jimmy Kimmel on his talk show. At first, her costume “was so tight, I literally could not breathe.” Despite any wardrobe issues, Gadot sees the significance of Wonder Woman as a role model. She explained to Glamour that “it was important for me that we show how independent she is. She is not relying on a man, and she’s not there because of a love story.”

'Wonder Woman,' 'Justice League,' 'Wonder Woman 1984'

Gadot then earned her shot at solo stardom with the release of Wonder Woman in spring 2017. The Patty Jenkins-directed flick was a hit with audiences, grossing more than $820 million globally, while critics praised the performances of its leading lady and Chris Pine as Wonder Woman's ally and love interest.

The actress reprised the role a few months later for the superhero ensemble Justice League, alongside Ben Affleck as Batman and Jason Momoa as Aqua Man, though this blockbuster wasn't as successful as Gadot's standalone showcase.

Gadot reprised her role again in 2020's Wonder Woman 1984.

Personal Life

Gadot is married to businessman Yaron Versano. The couple wed in 2008 and have two daughters, Alma and Maya. In February 2021, Gadot confirmed on Instagram that the couple is expecting their third child.

QUICK FACTS

  • Birth Year: 1985
  • Birth date: April 30, 1985
  • Birth City: Rosh HaAyin
  • Birth Country: Israel
  • Gender: Female
  • Best Known For: Israeli actress Gal Gadot is best known for playing Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe movies.
  • Industries
    • Film
  • Astrological Sign: Taurus

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CITATION INFORMATION

  • Article Title: Gal Gadot Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/gal-gadot
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: March 1, 2021
  • Original Published Date: March 28, 2016

QUOTES

  • In real life I'm the type of girl who doesn't take herself too seriously.
  • There are such misconceptions as to what a feminist is. Feminism is about equality. I want all people to have the same opportunities and to get the same salaries for the same jobs. I realize I’m doing what I want to do because of the women before me who laid the groundwork. Without them I wouldn’t be an educated working mother who is following her dreams; I wouldn’t be here.