Long before she became the “Black Widow” or faced down dinosaurs in “Jurassic World Rebirth,” Scarlett Johansson was a 13-year-old girl with big dreams and an even bigger break.
The future star, now 40, sat down with Katie Couric on TODAY to discuss her starring role in “The Horse Whisperer,” her first major film, on May 25, 1998.
What emerged was a glimpse of the thoughtful, articulate performer she would become — and a young person grappling with the unique challenges of growing up in Hollywood.
When Johansson landed the role of Grace MacLean in “The Horse Whisperer,” it wasn’t just another audition win — it was validation.
See Scarlett Johansson on TODAY in 1998 below.
The relief in her voice was palpable as she described the moment she got the part of Grace, a young woman who is injured in an accident with a horse.
“I was just, I couldn’t believe it, I was like, it was an incredible feeling. I mean there was a feeling of relief because the whole audition process was over,” she said.
What excited the young actress wasn’t just booking the job, but the character she’d be playing.
“When I first read the script I thought, ‘Finally, somebody has finally captured the essence of a young woman’s role,’ which you can never find,” she told Couric.
The teenage actor gave insight into the parent-child dynamics at the story’s heart and how it compared to her own.
“I’ve been very lucky because I have parents that listen to me and that are very appreciative of what I do and very supportive and I think Grace’s parents aren’t really paying enough attention to her,” she said.
Working with director and star Robert Redford proved to be a masterclass for the teenage actor.
“Working with him was amazing,” Johansson told Couric. “I think it really helped that he’s an actor as well as a director because we could communicate so well.”
Perhaps the most telling moment in the interview came when Couric asked about juggling her budding career with school, which she attended in Manhattan. Johansson’s response revealed both the challenges and the passion driving her.
“Yeah, it gets overwhelming, it gets difficult, because you have to get in that assignment but at the same time you’re reading your lines. So it gets difficult, but it’s like a dream come true. I couldn’t ask anything more,” she said.
She admitted that academics weren’t her strong suit, leading to a lighthearted exchange when Couric joked about her chances of becoming a National Merit finalist.
“No,” Johansson laughed, showing the humor that would serve her well in the years to come.
Johansson has come to Studio 1A many times in the years since both as a guest and, more recently a co-host for TODAY with Jenna & Friends.
Another milestone took place at 30 Rock for the actor: She met her husband, “Saturday Night Live” staff writer and Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost, when she was a host of the show. They welcomed their first child together in 2021.
