Emma

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson - born Jacqueline Luesby to Chris Watson and Jacqueline Luesby, two British lawyers, was born on August 8, 1989, in Paris. As a young girl, she relocated from London to Oxfordshire where she studied at the Dragon School. Emma's ambition was to become an actor. As a young girl of 6she was enrolled into the Oxford Stagecoach Theatre Arts branch, where she took classes in acting, singing and dance. By the age of ten she had performed and taken as the main character in several Stagecoach productions and school plays. In 1999 casting began in the production of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (2001) the movie adaptation of British author J.K. Rowling's bestselling novel. Agents for casting found Emma via her Oxford theatre teacher. David Heyman announced to Emma that, after auditioning for eight times they and Rupert Grint were chosen as Hermione and Harry Potter. The release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) was Emma's cinematic screen debut. The film broke records for opening-day sales and opening-weekend takings and became the top-grossing movie in 2001. Reviewers have been highly lauding the film, as well as the performance by three principal young actors. The Daily Telegraph, a widely read British newspaper, was awed by her for her performance. Emma's performance was recognized and was awarded five awards in the film.