Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Emma Watson
How Emma Watson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Emma Watson is a highly acclaimed English actress recognized for her roles in both blockbuster and independent films. She has received numerous awards, including a Young Artist Award and three MTV Movie Awards. Watson's success has placed her among the world's highest-paid actresses, according to Forbes and Vanity Fair. In 2015, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people globally, and Forbes recognized her in their 30 Under 30 lists for 2015 and 2016.
1999: Casting for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 1999, casting began for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, where Emma Watson was found through her Oxford theatre teacher and had to audition eight times before earning the role of Hermione Granger.
![Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [Paperback] J K Rowling](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UacvYKpuL._SL500_.jpg "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [Paperback] J K Rowling")
2001: Young Artist Award for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 2001, Emma Watson received a Young Artist Award for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", marking an early recognition of her acting talent.
2001: Release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 2001, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released, marking Emma Watson's debut screen performance, and became the highest-grossing film of the year. She won the Young Artist Award for Leading Young Actress.
2004: Release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
In 2004, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released, and Emma Watson's more assertive role as Hermione was lauded by critics. She won two Otto Awards and the Child Performance of the Year award from Total Film.
2005: Modelling Career Began
In 2005, Emma Watson began her modelling career with a photo shoot for Teen Vogue, making her the youngest person to cover the magazine.
2005: Release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
In 2005, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was released, setting records for a Harry Potter opening weekend. Critics praised the increasing maturity of Emma Watson and her co-stars. Watson won a bronze Otto Award for her performance.
2006: Hermione in The Queen's Handbag
In 2006, Emma Watson played Hermione in The Queen's Handbag, a special mini-episode of Harry Potter in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday.
March 2007: Signing on for Final Harry Potter Installments
On 23 March 2007, after hesitation, Emma Watson signed on to continue her role as Hermione Granger for the final installments of the Harry Potter series.
July 2007: Hand, Foot and Wand Imprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
On 9 July 2007, Emma Watson and her Harry Potter co-stars left imprints of their hands, feet and wands in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Also in July 2007, her work on the Harry Potter series was said to have earned her more than £10 million.
2007: Starred in Ballet Shoes
In 2007, Emma Watson starred in Ballet Shoes, marking her first major role outside of the Harry Potter franchise.
May 2008: Filming Part for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Emma Watson finished filming her part for the sixth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, on 17 May 2008.
November 2008: Delay of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Premiere
The premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was originally scheduled for November 2008 but was later delayed.
December 2008: Release of The Tale of Despereaux
In December 2008, The Tale of Despereaux, an animated film where Emma Watson voiced the character Princess Pea, was released.
2008: Voice Role in The Tale of Despereaux
In 2008, Emma Watson lent her voice to the animated film The Tale of Despereaux.
February 2009: Filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In February 2009, Emma Watson took a gap year after finishing secondary school to film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 & 2.
March 2009: Ranked on Forbes List of 'Most Valuable Young Stars'
In March 2009, Emma Watson was ranked sixth on the Forbes list of "Most Valuable Young Stars", acknowledging her early success and value in the entertainment industry.
June 2009: Burberry Partnership Confirmed
In June 2009, Emma Watson confirmed that she would be partnering with Burberry as the face of their Autumn/Winter 2009 campaign.
July 2009: Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiered on 15 July 2009, with critics praising the maturity of the lead actors.
September 2009: Involvement with People Tree Announced
In September 2009, Emma Watson announced her involvement with People Tree, a fair trade fashion brand, to create a spring line of clothing.
February 2010: Highest-Paid Female Star
In February 2010, Emma Watson was recognized as Hollywood's highest-paid female star, having earned an estimated £19 million in 2009, highlighting her financial success at a young age.
February 2010: People Tree Collection Released
In February 2010, Emma Watson's spring line of clothing with People Tree was released, featuring styles inspired by southern France and London. The collection was widely publicized in magazines.
May 2010: In talks for "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
In May 2010, Emma Watson was reported to be in talks to star in Stephen Chbosky's film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", based on the novel of the same name.
June 2010: Appeared in One Night Only Music Video
In June 2010, Emma Watson appeared in a music video for One Night Only, after meeting lead singer George Craig at a Burberry advertising campaign. The video "Say You Don't Want It" was screened on Channel 4 on 26 June 2010.
June 2010: Filming for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Concludes
On 12 June 2010, Emma Watson concluded filming for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
November 2010: Release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
In November 2010, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 was released.
2010: Appeared in Burberry Spring/Summer Campaign
In 2010, Emma Watson appeared in Burberry's Spring/Summer campaign alongside her brother Alex, musicians George Craig and Matt Gilmour, and model Max Hurd.
March 2011: Face of Lancôme
In March 2011, Emma Watson announced she had been chosen as the face of Lancôme.
July 2011: Release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
In July 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was released, becoming Emma Watson's most commercially successful film to date, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide.
2011: Splitting Time Between Films and Education
From 2011, Emma Watson split her time between working on films and continuing her education.
2011: Appeared in My Week with Marilyn
In 2011, Emma Watson appeared in My Week with Marilyn, marking her first post-Harry Potter film role as Lucy, a wardrobe assistant.
February 2012: Joined "The Bling Ring" Cast
On February 29, 2012, Emma Watson joined the cast of Sofia Coppola's satirical crime film "The Bling Ring", playing a fictionalized version of Alexis Neiers. The film is based on the real-life Bling Ring robberies.
June 2012: Cast in Darren Aronofsky's "Noah"
In June 2012, Emma Watson was confirmed to play Ila, Shem's wife, in Darren Aronofsky's "Noah".
September 2012: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" Release
In September 2012, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", in which Emma Watson starred as Sam, was released to favorable reviews. Her performance was praised as plausible and touching, marking a departure from her previous role as Hermione in the Harry Potter series.
2012: Starred in The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In 2012, Emma Watson starred as Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to critical success.
March 2013: Negotiations for Disney's "Cinderella"
In March 2013, Emma Watson was in negotiations to star as Cinderella in Kenneth Branagh's live-action Disney adaptation, but ultimately turned down the role.
2013: "The Bling Ring" Release
In 2013, "The Bling Ring" was released. While the film received mixed reviews, Emma Watson's performance was widely praised, with critics highlighting her remarkable portrayal and casual disdain.
2013: Portrayed Alexis Neiers in The Bling Ring
In 2013, Emma Watson portrayed Alexis Neiers in Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring, earning further acclaim.
2013: Woman of the Year
In 2013, Emma Watson was named British GQ's Woman of the Year and topped Empire's list of the 100 Sexiest Movie Stars, acknowledging her influence and appeal.
January 2014: "Pantomime" Song Release
On January 20, 2014, the song "Pantomime" by Ben Hammersley, featuring background vocals by Emma Watson alongside Ólafur Arnalds, was released.
March 2014: "Noah" Film Release
In March 2014, the movie "Noah" was released, in which Emma Watson played Ila. The film received mixed reviews, but Emma Watson's performance was praised for anchoring the film's emotional scenes.
May 2014: Graduation from Brown University and UN Appointment
In May 2014, Emma Watson graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English literature. Also in 2014, she was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and helped launch the HeForShe campaign.
May 2014: Graduation from Brown University
On 25 May 2014, Emma Watson graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature, completing the degree in five years due to taking time off for acting work.
July 2014: Appointed UN Women Goodwill Ambassador
In July 2014, Emma Watson was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador, marking a significant step in her advocacy for gender equality and women's rights. This appointment allowed her to further promote education for girls and engage in initiatives in countries like Bangladesh and Zambia.
November 2014: Designs Paddington Bear statue for charity
In November 2014, Emma Watson designed a Paddington Bear statue as part of a London-wide art installation. The statue was later auctioned off to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), showcasing Watson's commitment to charitable causes.
2014: Starred in Noah and Won British Artist of the Year
In 2014, Emma Watson starred in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah, and she was honoured by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, winning British Artist of the Year.
January 2015: Speech at World Economic Forum
In January 2015, Emma Watson gave a speech at the World Economic Forum's annual winter meeting, addressing the issue of gender equality on a prominent global platform. This further solidified her role as a leading voice in the fight for women's rights and gender parity.
2015: Starred in "Colonia" and "Regression"
In 2015, Emma Watson starred in the thrillers "Colonia" opposite Daniel Brühl and Michael Nyqvist, and "Regression" alongside Ethan Hawke and David Thewlis, both of which received generally negative reviews.
January 2016: Starts Feminist Goodreads Book Club
In January 2016, Emma Watson launched "Our Shared Shelf", a feminist Goodreads book club aimed at sharing feminist ideas and promoting discussions on the topic, demonstrating her dedication to engaging with and educating others about feminism.
February 2016: Announced Year-Long Break from Acting
In February 2016, Emma Watson announced that she was taking a year-long break from acting, planning to focus on personal development and women's rights work.
February 2016: Appointed Visiting Fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University
In February 2016, Emma Watson was appointed as a visiting fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University, recognizing her contributions and expertise.
2016: Wore Calvin Klein Gown to Met Gala
In 2016, Emma Watson wore a Calvin Klein gown to the Met Gala that was made out of recycled plastic bottles, showcasing her commitment to sustainable fashion.
2016: Visits Malawi for International Day of the Girl Child
In 2016, on International Day of the Girl Child, Emma Watson visited Malawi to meet with traditional chiefs and girls who had returned to school after being freed from child marriage, underscoring her commitment to advocating for girls' education and empowerment.
2017: Started "The Press Tour" Instagram Account
In 2017, Emma Watson began updating an Instagram account entitled "The Press Tour", detailing the ethical brands she wore during the press tours for films like "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Circle".
2017: Starred as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast"
In 2017, Emma Watson starred as Belle in the live-action Disney adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast", which grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. She was given autonomy to re-characterize Belle, incorporating bloomers and boots into her wardrobe.
2017: Ranked among the world's highest-paid actresses
In 2017, Emma Watson was ranked among the world's highest-paid actresses by Forbes, with annual earnings of $14 million, further solidifying her status as a financially successful actress.
February 2018: Donates to Time's Up UK
In February 2018, Emma Watson donated £1 million to Time's Up UK and assisted in establishing industry guidelines on bullying and harassment, demonstrating her active involvement and financial support for initiatives combating sexual harassment and promoting gender equality in the film industry.
March 2018: Guest-Edited Vogue Australia Issue
In March 2018, Emma Watson guest-edited the March issue of Vogue Australia, focusing on fashion sustainability, and was photographed by Peter Lindbergh for the magazine.
2018: Launch of Time's Up UK
In 2018, Emma Watson helped launch Time's Up UK as a founding member.
July 2019: Helps launch legal helpline for sexual harassment victims
In July 2019, Emma Watson helped launch a legal helpline for people who have suffered sexual harassment in the workplace, providing access to legal advice through Rights of Women, showcasing her commitment to supporting victims of sexual harassment.
2019: Starred in "Little Women"
In 2019, Emma Watson starred as Meg March in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women", which was critically acclaimed and grossed over $218 million.
2019: Starred as Meg March in Little Women
In 2019, Emma Watson starred as Meg March in Greta Gerwig's coming-of-age drama Little Women.
2019: Appointment to G7 Advisory Body
In 2019, Emma Watson was appointed to a G7 advisory body for women's rights, consulting with leaders on foreign policy.
2019: Carbon Footprint Analysis
In 2019, a study analyzed Emma Watson's carbon footprint, revealing that while it was the lowest among the celebrities analyzed, her CO2 emissions from flying were still three times the global average, highlighting the impact of air travel on environmental sustainability. In 2019, she supported research on carbon footprints of celebrities
January 2020: Launched "Fashion Footprint Calculator" with ThredUP
In January 2020, Emma Watson partnered with consignment website ThredUP to launch a "Fashion Footprint Calculator", allowing visitors to calculate their wardrobes' carbon impact.
June 2020: Supports Black Lives Matter movement
In June 2020, Emma Watson voiced her support for the Black Lives Matter movement and shared anti-racism educational resources, demonstrating her solidarity and advocacy for racial justice during the George Floyd protests.
June 2020: Appointed to Kering Board of Directors
In June 2020, Emma Watson was appointed the youngest member of the board of directors of Kering, the owner of fashion brands such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. She also chaired Kering's sustainability committee.
July 2020: Partners to Reimagine London Underground Map
In July 2020, Emma Watson partnered to reimagine the London Underground Map, renaming stops to spotlight women and non-binary people, showing her dedication to celebrating diverse contributions to history.
2020: Board of Directors of Kering
From 2020, Emma Watson sat on the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, in her capacity as an advocate for sustainable fashion.
2020: Discussed future career plans
In 2020, Emma Watson discussed her future career plans, expressing a desire to amplify more voices and learn from diverse experiences, while reducing her public appearances and focusing on conference meetings.
June 2021: Invests in FabricNano
In June 2021, Emma Watson was part of a group of investors funding $12.5 million into FabricNano, a startup developing sustainable alternatives to petrochemical products, indicating her commitment to environmental sustainability through investment.
2021: Hosted a panel on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference
In 2021, Emma Watson hosted a panel on climate change with Greta Thunberg and other guests at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, reinforcing her commitment to environmental justice and climate action advocacy.
2021: Calls for women in decision-making roles at the UN Climate Change Conference
In 2021, Emma Watson was among the signatories of a letter calling for women to be included in "decision-making roles" at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, underscoring her commitment to environmental justice and gender equality.
August 2022: Face of Prada Beauty's Paradoxe
In August 2022, Emma Watson became the face of Prada Beauty's new fragrance, Paradoxe. She also starred in, directed, wrote, and narrated the short film for the fragrance's promotional campaign.
2022: Reunited for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Special
In 2022, Emma Watson reunited with cast members of the Harry Potter film series for the HBO Max special "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts".
April 2023: Launches Renais gin brand
In April 2023, Emma Watson, along with her brother Alex Watson, launched Renais, a sustainable and carbon-neutral gin brand made from recycled skin grapes and inspired by their childhood in France and their father's wine business.
September 2023: Wins Soho House Award for Breakthrough Entrepreneur
In September 2023, Emma Watson and her brother won the Soho House Award for "Breakthrough Entrepreneur" for their gin brand, Renais, acknowledging their success in the business venture.
2023: End of Kering Board Membership
In 2023, Emma Watson completed her tenure on the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, where she served as an advocate for sustainable fashion.
2023: End of Term at Kering
In 2023, Emma Watson ended her term as a member of the board of directors of Kering, where she had been chairing the sustainability committee since 2020.
January 2024: Face of Prada's Re-Nylon Collection
In January 2024, Emma Watson became the face of Prada's Re-Nylon collection, the sustainable product line of the brand.
January 2025: Renais Raised $6 million
In January 2025, it was reported that Renais, the company co-founded by Emma Watson raised $6 million for investment, marking a milestone in its growth and expansion.
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