Hollywood’s Hidden Polyglots: 10 Stars Who Speak 3+ Languages Fluently

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars do more than just act—they speak multiple languages fluently, often surprising fans with their skills. These actors bring their linguistic talents to the screen, roles, and even personal lives, showing a level of versatility that goes beyond their performances.

From mastering languages for love to picking them up during childhood travels, these polyglots prove there’s more to being a star than memorizing lines. Here are ten Hollywood actors who fluently speak three or more languages, each with a unique story behind their skills.

Natalie Portman

Born in Jerusalem, Natalie Portman grew up speaking Hebrew and English, giving her a strong bilingual foundation. Her curiosity for languages led her to learn French, Spanish, German, and Japanese, which she honed while studying at Harvard and traveling for film projects like ‘Black Swan’ and ‘V for Vendetta’.

Portman’s language skills shine in her international roles, where she often delivers lines with authentic accents. She’s even skipped red-carpet events to focus on language studies, showing her dedication to mastering new tongues.

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen, known for his role as Aragorn in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, grew up in Argentina with a Danish father and American mother. This diverse upbringing gave him fluency in Spanish, English, and Danish, and he later added French to his repertoire.

His travels across Venezuela and Denmark, along with his passion for global cultures, helped him pick up conversational Italian, Catalan, and Arabic. Mortensen’s ability to slip into different languages makes his performances in films like ‘Green Book’ even more authentic.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh, beloved for her roles in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005-2014) and ‘Killing Eve’ (2018-2022), was born to Korean parents in Canada. She speaks Korean and English fluently and learned French while studying at the National Theatre School in Montreal.

Her multilingual background adds depth to her characters, especially in roles requiring cultural nuance. Oh also picked up Spanish through her travels and acting projects, showcasing her ability to connect with diverse audiences.

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston, the charming Loki in ‘Thor’ and ‘The Avengers’, studied Classics at Cambridge, where he learned Greek and Latin. His love for languages grew, leading him to master Spanish, French, and Italian fluently.

Hiddleston often uses his skills in interviews, chatting effortlessly in multiple languages to connect with global fans. He’s also dabbled in Russian, Korean, and Mandarin, making him a true linguistic superhero in Hollywood.

Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger, star of ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and ‘National Treasure’, grew up in Germany speaking German. As a teenager, she moved to London and Paris, picking up English and French fluently while pursuing modeling and acting.

Her ability to perform in multiple languages made her a standout in Tarantino’s war epic, where she delivered lines in all three tongues. Kruger’s global career thrives on her seamless language switches, adding authenticity to every role.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek, celebrated for her portrayal of Frida Kahlo in ‘Frida’, speaks Spanish as her native language. She learned English and Portuguese fluently while building her Hollywood career and picked up Arabic through her Lebanese heritage.

Hayek’s language skills allow her to take on diverse roles, from Mexican artists to international action stars in films like ‘Eternals’. Her ability to connect across cultures makes her a global icon.

Christoph Waltz

Christoph Waltz, unforgettable as Hans Landa in ‘Inglourious Basterds’, is an Austrian actor fluent in German, English, and French. His multilingual performance in Tarantino’s film, where he switches languages effortlessly, earned him an Oscar.

Waltz also speaks conversational Italian and dubs his own roles in French, adding depth to his work in films like ‘Django Unchained’. His linguistic precision mirrors his meticulous acting style.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn, the timeless star of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and ‘Roman Holiday’, grew up speaking English and Dutch in Belgium. Her parents ensured she studied French, German, Italian, and Spanish, which she used in her international film career.

Hepburn’s elegance extended to her language skills, allowing her to connect with audiences worldwide. Her fluency helped her navigate roles in Europe and Hollywood with unmatched grace.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton, known for ‘Fight Club’ and ‘American History X’, graduated from Yale and worked in Japan, where he became fluent in Japanese. He also speaks Spanish and French, skills he’s shown off in interviews and roles.

His time abroad shaped his ability to connect with diverse cultures, enhancing his performances in global projects. Norton’s linguistic talents add an extra layer to his intense, versatile characters.

Shakira

While best known as a global music star, Shakira has also acted in projects like ‘Zootopia’ and speaks Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Italian fluently. Her Lebanese roots give her knowledge of Arabic and French as well.

Shakira’s language skills help her connect with fans worldwide, and she’s teaching her son multiple languages. Her passion for learning cultures shines through in her music and acting ventures.

Which multilingual star surprised you the most, or is there another polyglot actor I missed? Share your thoughts in the comments!