British actress Emilia Clarke was born in London and spent her formative years in Oxfordshire, England. Her father, a theatre sound engineer, and her mother, a businesswoman, played significant roles in nurturing her passion for acting. At the tender age of three, Emilia's love affair with the performing arts began when her mother took her to a production of "Show Boat" at the theatre, where her father was working. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for acting, and Emilia would go on to pursue her dreams with unwavering dedication.
Emilia's early years were marked by her attendance at St. Edward's School of Oxford, where she made her stage debut in two school plays from 2000 to 2005. Her passion for acting only intensified, and she went on to study at the prestigious Drama Centre London, where she honed her craft by taking part in an impressive 10 plays. During this time, Emilia made her television debut with a guest role in the BBC soap opera Doctors in 2000.
After graduating from the Drama Centre London in 2010, Emilia landed her first film role in the television movie Triassic Attack. However, it was her breakthrough role in Game of Thrones in 2011 that catapulted her to international stardom. She replaced Tamzin Merchant in the hit HBO series and went on to play the iconic role of Daenerys Targaryen. Her impressive performance earned her widespread recognition and critical acclaim.
Emilia's subsequent film roles solidified her status as a leading lady in Hollywood. She played Holly Golightly in a Broadway production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" from March to April 2013, and later starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jai Courtney, and Jason Clarke in Terminator Genisys in 2015. Her portrayal of Sarah Connor in the film earned her widespread praise. In 2016, Emilia starred in the romantic comedy blockbuster Me Before You, and in 2018, she took on the role of Qi'ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Beyond her impressive filmography, Emilia has also made a significant impact through her philanthropic efforts. In 2018, she was appointed as the ambassador to the Royal College of Nursing, and in 2019, she became the first ambassador for the global Nursing Now campaign. Emilia has also been an outspoken advocate for raising awareness about the working conditions of nurses in the UK.
In a personal essay published in The New Yorker in 2019, Emilia revealed that she had suffered from two life-threatening brain aneurysms in 2011 and 2013. Her courage and resilience in the face of adversity inspired many, and she went on to launch her own charity, SameYou, in 2019. SameYou aims to broaden neurorehabilitation access for young people after a brain injury or stroke, and Emilia's tireless efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals.
