Happy Birthday, Emma Watson!
She achieved global fame as "Hermione Granger" in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" novels. These days, Emma Watson is also a model and UN ambassador. On April 15 she turns 25.
Rapid rise
The story of Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson is one of success. The actress - here at the premiere of "Noah" in March 2014, New York - was born in Paris in 1990, then moved to Oxfordshire with her mother. Her theater teacher recognized her talent and recommended her for the casting auditions for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" at only nine years of age.
Emma as Hermione
The result of the audition is well known. Emma auditioned with around 4,000 competitors and was cast in the role of Hermione Granger. The immense success of the "Harry Potter" films made the young actress - as well as the two other main actors, Daniel Radcliffe (pictured) and Rupert Grint - world famous.
Nearly 15 years ago…
The three friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry, Ron and Hermione, experience one adventure after another. From 2001 (pictured) to 2011, the seven novels have been adapted into eight feature films. And just as the characters they portray have aged, millions of "Harry Potter" fans have continued to support their idols over more than a decade.
The mother of success
The success of Emma Watson to a large extent is thanks to Joanne K. Rowling. Without the author, who also was completely unknown before "Harry Potter," Watson's career as it has transpired would be unthinkable. Here, J.K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint pose together at the world premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in London.
The crowd favorite
Emma Watson is adored equally by fans and critics. For "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" she won the 2002 Young Artist Award, and numerous other awards followed. Here, Watson attends the MTV Movie Awards in Culver City, California, in 2013.
Forays into modeling
The modeling world was naturally drawn to that famous face. From 2009-10 Watson modeled for luxury British label Burberry. This picture shows her attending the Burberry fashion show during Fashion Week in London in September 2009.
Face of eco-fashion
Watson also lent her notoriety to the fashion label People Tree. The eco label produces fair trade clothing created from organic materials. This picture is from the catalogue of the spring/summer 2011 edition.
Life after 'Harry'
Following the success of "Harry Potter," Emma Watson has no shortage of job offers. Sofia Coppola, who rose to prominence with "Lost in Translation," asked her to star in her film "The Bling Ring." Here they jointly present the film at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2013.
Versatile actress
In "The Bling Ring" (2013, pictured) Watson plays a teenager who robs celebrity villas in the Hollywood Hills with her gang. In "My Week with Marilyn" (2011) she plays a wardrobe assistant who shares a love interest with Marilyn Monroe. She also stars in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" (2012), "This is the End" (2013) and "Noah" (2014).
Good grades - in real life
Not only as Hermione Granger is Emma Watson a good student. From 2009, she studied literature at Brown University in the US and in 2011 continued her studies at Oxford. In 2014, she received a Bachelor degree in English literature. This picture shows Watson at the graduation ceremony at Brown University.
UN Goodwill Ambassador
Since June 2014 Watson has acted as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for women's and girls' rights. She was instrumental in bringing attention to the United Nations campaign "HeForShe," which aims to encourage men and boys to stand up for the rights of the opposite sex. In this image Watson joins UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York.