Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot Varsano (Hebrew: גל גדות‎; born 30 April 1985) is an Israeli actress and fashion model. She won the Miss Israel title in 2004 and went on to represent Israel at the 2004 Miss Universe beauty pageant. She is the leading fashion model for the clothing company Castro. Gadot is known for her role as Gisele Yashar in The Fast and the Furious film series, and as Wonder Woman (Diana Prince) in the DC Extended Universe.

Gal Gadot at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con in San Diego, California.

Gal Gadot speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, for "Wonder Woman 1984", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

Quotes

• I want people to have a good impression of Israel. I don't feel like I'm an ambassador for my country, but I do talk about Israel a lot - I enjoy telling people about where I come from and my religion.
  • Jill Sherman, "Gal Gadot: Soldier, Model, Wonder Woman", (2018), p. 13.

• I definitely have a strong sense of my Jewish and Israeli identity. I did my two-year military service; I was brought up in a very Jewish, Israeli family environment, so of course my heritage is very important to me.
  • "TotallyJewish.com", (2011); as qtd. in "Meet Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot", by Luchina Fisher, ABC News, (December 4, 2013).

• I taught gymnastics and calisthenics. The soldiers loved me because I made them fit.
  • "The Chosen Ones: Israeli Defense Forces", Maxim, (Dec 14, 2015).

• Let me start by saying I wish no country had the need for an army. But in Israel, serving is part of being an Israeli. You've got to give back to the state. You give two or three years, and it's not about you. You give your freedom away. You learn discipline and respect.
  • "Gal Gadot Is Wonder Woman: "She Is Not Relying on a Man, and She's Not There Because of a Love Story"", Glamour, (March 7, 2016).

• I was training six months prior to the shoots, and six hours a day I did two hours of gym work, two hours of fight choreography, and one and half hours-two hours horseback riding, which is super hard…It was a lot more intense [than the army]. By far.
  • "Live with Kelly and Ryan", (05/26/2017).

• There aren’t enough good roles for strong women. I wish we had more female writers. Most of the female characters you see in films today are ‘the poor heartbroken girl.’ That’s why I’m so proud of the Fast movies. I feel like Giselle is an empowering woman. I think I speak for the majority of female actors when I say we need stronger roles. My biggest challenge is to find more strong parts.”* A baby comes with such responsibility. Once you become a mother, you always have a guilt trip. You always try to do the best, but you feel you can always be better.
  • The Stndrd, (2013) as qtd. in "5 reasons Gal Gadot is a woman who kicks ass", Jessica Derschowitz, Entertainment Weekly, (July 07, 2015).

• I told them that I wanted to be able to show the stronger side of women. I didn’t want to do the obvious role that you see in Hollywood most of the time, which is the heartbroken girl who’s waiting to be rescued by the guy, blah, blah, blah.
  • Interview, (August 2015); as qtd. in Debbie Emery, "First Look at ‘Wonder Woman’ Gal Gadot’s Sizzling Interview Magazine Spread (Exclusive Photo)", The Wrap, (July 22, 2015).

• When you’re on set, you’re like a kite. You can fly so high and try to catch the air, then you go back home to do your main shift as being a mother
  • [1] on being a mother

Dialogue

• GLAMOUR: Were there certain things that you felt were particularly important in portraying Wonder Woman?

GG: For BvS 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. She's not there to serve someone else.

GLAMOUR: It's pretty clear she doesn't need help from anybody!

GG: She has so many strengths and powers, but at the end of the day she's a woman with a lot of emotional intelligence. She's loving.

GLAMOUR: We don't really tend to think about superheroes' hearts.

GG: And it's all her heart—that's her strength. I think women are amazing for being able to show what they feel. I admire women who do. I think it's a mistake when women cover their emotions to look tough. I say let's own who we are and use it as a strength.

• "Gal Gadot Is Wonder Woman: "She Is Not Relying on a Man, and She's Not There Because of a Love Story"", Glamour, (March 7, 2016).