With the pandemic continuing to impact the film industry, the performance of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ this holiday season has been one of few bright spots for movies in 2020.
Gal Gadot continues to earn praise for her role as the Amazonian princess from Themiscyra and Wonder Woman remains one of the most popular characters in the DC film stable.
Check out our slideshow to see photos of Gadot, learn more about Gal’s past and other interesting facts about the actress.
1. She turned 35 in 2020
Gadot was born on April 30, 1985.
2. She was born in Israel
Gal is originally from Tel Aviv.
QUITO, ECUADOR: Miss Israel Gal Gadot smiles during the Miss Universe final show in Quito, Ecuador, 01 June 2004. (MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
3. She competed in the Miss Universe Pageant
Gal was crowned Miss Israel in 2004.
4. She served in the military
Gadot served for two years in the IDF, primarily as a fitness instructor.
FILE - This April 25, 2019, file photo shows a Burger King drive thru. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)AP
5. She’s worked in the fast food industry
One of Gal’s first jobs was working at a local Burger King.
PEBBLE BEACH, CA - AUGUST 16: Actress Gal Gadot with the 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE at the Jaguar and Playboy Magazine exclusive VIP reception to celebrate Jaguar's high-performance models during Pebble Beach weekend on August 16, 2013 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Jaguar)Getty Images for Jaguar
6. She’s worked for some of the biggest luxury brands
While working as a model, Gadot was part of campaigns for brands like Gucci and Jaguar.
Actress Gal Gadot arrives at the LA Premiere of the "Fast & Furious 6" at the Gibson Amphitheatre on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 in Universal City, Calif. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP
7. She’s part of another famous film franchise
While best known for her role as Wonder Woman, Gal got her start in another famous franchise, appearing in multiple ‘Fast & Furious’ sequels.
Gal Gadot and Olga Kurylenko. (AP)
8. She came up short in her first film audition
The first film role Gadot tried out for was Camille in the Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’ that went to Olga Kurylenko.
Gal Gadot and Karen Gillan (AP)
9. She almost appeared in another comic book film franchise
Gadot was once considered for the role of Nebula in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ but lost out to Karen Gillan.
Actors John C. Reilly, from left, Sarah Silverman and Gal Gadot pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' in central London, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
10. She still ended up in a Disney film
Gal voiced the character Shank in the animated ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’
Maroon 5 performs on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)AP
11. She appeared in a music video
Gadot made a cameo in the video for Maroon 5′s song ‘Girls Like You’
Gal Gadot, left, and Yaron Versano arrive at the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
12. She’s a mom
Gadot and her husband have two daughters, Alma and Maya.
Gal Gadot attends the LA premiere of "I Am the Night" at Harmony Gold Theater on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
13. She’s taken heat for one of her roles
Gal has been cast as Cleopatra in an upcoming film, a move that has drawn some criticism.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Gal Gadot attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)Getty Images
14. She was one of the highest-paid actresses in 2020
According to Forbes, Gal earned more than $30M in the past year, third only behind Angelina Jolie and Sofia Vergara.
Gal Gadot and 'Red Notice' co-stars Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. (AP)
15. What’s next for Gadot?
Gal will star with Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in the film ‘Red Notice’ set to debut on Netflix sometime in 2021.
2020 celebrity deaths included actors Sean Connery, Chadwick Boseman and Kelly Preston and rocker Eddie Van Halen. (AP)