Emma Watson

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson was the daughter of British parents Jacqueline Luesby (a lawyer) and Chris Watson (a French mother). The couple moved to Oxfordshire when she was five years old, and attended the Dragon School. Emma knew she wanted to act at when she was six years old. She was trained for several years in the Oxford Branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts. This part-time theatre school taught her singing, dancing and acting. At the age of ten Emma was already performing in Stagecoach productions as well as school plays. In 1999 the casting process started for Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (2001) which was the movie adaptation of British author J.K. Rowling's bestselling novel. Emma was discovered by her Oxford theatre teacher and introduced casting agents to Emma. After eight consistent auditions the producer David Heyman told Emma and other applicants, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, that they were selected to play the three leads: Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Emma's first appearance on the screen was with the release Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 2001. The film set records for opening-day and weekend sales and was the most-grossing film of 2001. The film was praised by critics as well as the performances of the young actors. The Daily Telegraph, a British publication with a significant circulation, praised her performance as "admirable". Emma received the Young Artist Award as Leading Young Actress in a Film Film, and was later nominated for five other prizes. Emma was among the most well-known actors following the success of the film. Hermione Granger was her role for nearly 10 years in the Harry Potter films. Emma was awarded two Critics' Choice Awards nominations from Broadcast Film Critics Association.