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 an English actress recognized for her performances in both mainstream and independent films. She's garnered numerous awards, including a Young Artist Award and three MTV Movie Awards. Watson has consistently ranked among the highest-paid actresses globally, as acknowledged by Forbes and Vanity Fair. Time magazine recognized her influence by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015. Furthermore, Forbes included her in their 30 Under 30 list in both 2015 and 2016.
1999: Auditioned for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 1999, Emma Watson auditioned for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, marking the beginning of her journey into professional acting and the Harry Potter series.
![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: Watson received a 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 her early success in acting.
2001: Debut in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In 2001, the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone marked Emma Watson's debut screen performance, earning her critical acclaim and 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, with critics lauding Emma Watson's performance as Hermione, which won her two Otto Awards and the Child Performance of the Year award from Total Film.
2005: Modelling Career Begins with Teen Vogue
In 2005, Emma Watson began her modeling career with a photo shoot for Teen Vogue, becoming 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, marking new milestones for both Emma Watson and the Harry Potter film series, with Watson's performance praised for its increasing maturity.
2006: Played 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: Signed on for the Final Harry Potter Installments
On 23 March 2007, Emma Watson signed on to continue her role as Hermione for the final Harry Potter installments, committing to another four years in the series.
July 2007: Imprinted 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, solidifying their legacy in the film industry.
2007: Starred in Ballet Shoes
In 2007, Emma Watson made her first major foray beyond the Harry Potter franchise by starring in Ballet Shoes, showcasing her talent in a non-Potter role.
May 2008: Filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Ended
In May 2008, Emma Watson's part in the filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince concluded, marking a significant step in the progression of the Harry Potter film series.
November 2008: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Delayed
In November 2008, the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was originally scheduled but later delayed.
December 2008: Voiced Princess Pea in The Tale of Despereaux
In December 2008, Emma Watson voiced the character Princess Pea in the animated film The Tale of Despereaux, expanding her roles beyond live-action films.
2008: Voice Role in The Tale of Despereaux
In 2008, Emma Watson lent her voice to the character Princess Pea in The Tale of Despereaux, expanding her acting repertoire into animation.
February 2009: Began Filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In February 2009, Emma Watson began filming for the final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
February 2009: Filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows began
In February 2009, Emma Watson started filming for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 & 2, taking a gap year after finishing secondary school for this purpose.
March 2009: Ranked sixth on Forbes' Most Valuable Young Stars list
In March 2009, Emma Watson was ranked sixth on the Forbes list of "Most Valuable Young Stars", recognizing her early success and marketability in the entertainment industry.
June 2009: Partnership with Burberry
In June 2009, Emma Watson confirmed her partnership with Burberry as the face of their Autumn/Winter 2009 campaign.
July 2009: Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
In July 2009, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiered, with critics increasingly willing to review the lead actors on the same level as the rest of the cast.
September 2009: Involvement with People Tree
In September 2009, Emma Watson announced her involvement with People Tree, a fair trade fashion brand.
February 2010: Watson was Hollywood's 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, marking a significant achievement in her career.
February 2010: Release of People Tree Spring Line
In February 2010, Emma Watson's spring line of clothing with People Tree was released, featuring styles inspired by southern France and London.
May 2010: Talks for The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In May 2010, Emma Watson was in talks to star in Stephen Chbosky's "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 the music video "Say You Don't Want It" for the band One Night Only, after meeting lead singer George Craig at a Burberry advertising campaign.
June 2010: Ended Filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
In June 2010, Emma Watson concluded filming for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, marking the end of her decade-long journey with the series.
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, the first of the two-part adaptation of the final book in the series.
2010: Burberry Spring/Summer Campaign
In 2010, Emma Watson appeared in Burberry's Spring/Summer campaign alongside her brother Alex and other musicians and models.
March 2011: Face of Lancôme
In March 2011, Emma Watson announced that 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.
2011: Appeared in My Week with Marilyn
In 2011, Emma Watson appeared in My Week with Marilyn as Lucy, a wardrobe assistant, marking her first post-Harry Potter film role.
February 2012: Joining the Cast of The Bling Ring
On February 29, 2012, Emma Watson joined the cast of Sofia Coppola's "The Bling Ring", a satirical crime film based on the real-life Bling Ring robberies, where she played a fictionalized version of Alexis Neiers.
June 2012: Cast in Noah
In June 2012, Emma Watson was confirmed to play Ila, Shem's wife, in Darren Aronofsky's "Noah".
September 2012: Release of The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In September 2012, the film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", in which Emma Watson starred opposite Logan Lerman, was released to favorable reviews.
2012: Starred in The Perks of Being a Wallflower
In 2012, Emma Watson starred as Sam, a free-spirited student, in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, receiving critical acclaim for her performance.
March 2013: Negotiations for Cinderella Role and Rejection
In March 2013, Emma Watson was in negotiations to star as Cinderella in Kenneth Branagh's live-action Disney adaptation, but she turned down the role.
2013: Portrayed Alexis Neiers in The Bling Ring
In 2013, Emma Watson portrayed Alexis Neiers in Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring, further demonstrating her versatility as an actress.
2013: Release of The Bling Ring and This Is the End
In 2013, Emma Watson starred in "The Bling Ring", and had a supporting role in the apocalyptic comedy "This Is the End".
2013: Watson was British GQ's Woman of the Year and topped Empire's list
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: Release of 'Pantomime'
In January 2014, the song "Pantomime" by Ben Hammersley, featuring Emma Watson on background vocals, was released.
March 2014: Release of Noah
In March 2014, the film "Noah", starring Emma Watson, was released and received mixed reviews.
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.
November 2014: Watson designed a Paddington Bear statue for charity auction
In November 2014, Emma Watson designed a Paddington Bear statue, which was one of fifty statues located around London and auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
2014: Starred in Noah and Honoured by BAFTA
In 2014, Emma Watson starred as the titular character's adoptive daughter in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah and was honoured by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, winning British Artist of the Year.
January 2015: Watson gave a speech about gender equality at the World Economic Forum
In January 2015, Emma Watson gave a speech about gender equality at the World Economic Forum's annual winter meeting, continuing her advocacy on the global stage.
2015: Starring in Colonia and Regression
In 2015, Emma Watson starred in the thrillers "Colonia" and "Regression", both of which received generally negative reviews.
2015: Watson listed among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine
In 2015, Emma Watson was listed among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, recognizing her impact in activism and philanthropy, particularly for women's rights and the HeForShe campaign.
2015: Malala Yousafzai declares herself a feminist after hearing Watson's speech
In 2015, Malala Yousafzai stated that she decided to call herself a feminist after hearing Emma Watson's speech, indicating the impact and influence of Watson's advocacy.
January 2016: Watson starts a feminist Goodreads book club: Our Shared Shelf
In January 2016, Emma Watson started a feminist Goodreads book club named Our Shared Shelf, aimed at sharing feminist ideas and encouraging discussion. The first book selected was My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem.
February 2016: Taking a Break from Acting
In February 2016, Emma Watson announced she was taking a year-long break from acting to focus on personal development and women's rights work.
February 2016: Watson was appointed visiting fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University
In February 2016, Emma Watson was appointed a visiting fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University, recognizing her contributions and engagement with academia.
2016: Wearing Calvin Klein gown to Met Gala
In 2016, Emma Watson wore a Calvin Klein gown made out of recycled plastic bottles to the Met Gala, highlighting sustainable fashion.
2016: Watson visited Malawi on International Day of the Girl Child
On 2016 International Day of the Girl Child, Emma Watson visited Malawi to meet with traditional chiefs and girls who returned to school after being freed from child marriage, supporting education for girls.
2017: Updating 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 press tours.
2017: Starring 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 became a major box office success.
2017: Forbes ranked Watson among the world's highest-paid actresses
In 2017, Forbes ranked Emma Watson among the world's highest-paid actresses, with annual earnings of $14 million, highlighting her continued success in the film industry.
February 2018: Watson donated to Time's Up UK
In February 2018, Emma Watson donated £1 million to Time's Up UK, demonstrating her commitment to combating sexual harassment and promoting equality.
March 2018: Guest-Editing Vogue Australia
In March 2018, Emma Watson guest-edited the March issue of Vogue Australia, focusing on fashion sustainability.
2018: Helped Launch Time's Up UK
In 2018, Emma Watson helped launch Time's Up UK as a founding member, demonstrating her commitment to social activism and gender equality.
July 2019: Watson helped launch a legal helpline for sexual harassment victims
In July 2019, Emma Watson helped launch a legal helpline for individuals who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, in partnership with Rights of Women.
2019: Starring in Little Women
In 2019, Emma Watson starred as Meg March in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women".
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, adding another notable role to her filmography.
2019: Appointed 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, showcasing her influence on global issues.
January 2020: Partnership with ThredUP to Launch Fashion Footprint Calculator
In January 2020, Emma Watson partnered with consignment website ThredUP to launch a "Fashion Footprint Calculator", allowing users to calculate the carbon impact of their wardrobes.
June 2020: Watson shared anti-racism resources and interviewed Reni Eddo-Lodge
In June 2020, Emma Watson shared anti-racism educational resources on social media and interviewed Reni Eddo-Lodge for a podcast about her book Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race, showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
June 2020: Appointed to Kering's Board of Directors
In June 2020, Emma Watson was appointed the youngest member of the board of directors of Kering, and will chair Kering's sustainability committee.
July 2020: Watson partnered to reimagine the London Underground Map
In July 2020, Emma Watson partnered with Lodge and the WOW Foundation to reimagine the London Underground Map, renaming stops to highlight influential women and non-binary individuals.
2020: Joined the 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: Future Career Plans Discussed
In 2020, Emma Watson discussed her future career plans, expressing a desire to amplify more voices and focus on activism, with fewer red carpets and more conference meetings.
2021: Watson hosted a panel on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference
At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Emma Watson hosted a panel on climate change with guests including climate activist Greta Thunberg.
2021: Watson calls for women to be included in climate change decision-making roles
In 2021, Emma Watson was among the 400 signatories in a letter urging the UK government to include women in decision-making roles at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
August 2022: Face of Prada Beauty's Paradoxe Fragrance
In August 2022, Emma Watson became the face of Prada Beauty's new fragrance Paradoxe, starring in, directing, writing and narrating the promotional short film.
2022: Reunion for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Special
In 2022, Emma Watson reunited with multiple cast members of the Harry Potter film series for an HBO Max special titled "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts".
2023: End of Service on Kering's Board of Directors
Emma Watson served on Kering's board of directors until 2023, contributing to sustainability efforts and women's rights initiatives.
2023: Stepped down from Kering's Board of Directors
In 2023, Emma Watson stepped down from the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, after serving as an advocate for sustainable fashion.
January 2024: Face of Prada's Re-Nylon Collection
In January 2024, Emma Watson became the face of Prada's Re-Nylon collection, the brand's sustainable product line.
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