How Harvard Insider Knowledge Helped Shape 'The Social Network': The Movie Star Who Played a Surprising Part in Film's Authenticity
The Social Network depicts the tumultuous founding of Facebook and the rise of Mark Zuckerberg.
During a deposition scene, it’s mentioned that Zuckerberg’s creation made him “the biggest thing on a campus that included nineteen Nobel Laureates, fifteen Pulitzer Prize winners, two future Olympians, and a movie star.” When asked, “Who was the movie star?” the response is, “Does it matter?”
That movie star was Natalie Portman. She attended Harvard from 1999 to 2003 and played a behind-the-scenes role in helping screenwriter Aaron Sorkin craft the story. Portman provided insider information about Harvard’s social scene and campus life during the early days of Facebook’s rise there.
Her insights helped add authenticity to the film’s portrayal of Harvard students and culture at that time. Interestingly, Portman’s involvement was not widely known until after the film’s release. Her contribution highlights how real-life connections and insider knowledge can influence Hollywood storytelling, especially in films based on true events. This detail also underscores how Portman’s Harvard experience indirectly contributed to one of the most talked-about movies about social media and tech entrepreneurship.
