Emilia Clarke, the acclaimed British actress best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO series Game of Thrones. From her early life and education to her breakthrough role and subsequent projects, we will explore her journey, including her height, age, career highlights, controversies, and net worth.
Emilia Clarke Early Life and Education
Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clarke was born on October 23, 1986, in London, England, and grew up in Berkshire. Her father was a theatre sound engineer, and her mother is a businesswoman. Clarke’s interest in acting began at a young age after seeing the musical Show Boat, on which her father was working.
She attended Rye St Antony School and St Edward’s School, Oxford, where she participated in school plays. Clarke then went on to study at the Drama Centre London, graduating in 2009. During her time in drama school, she appeared in several stage productions.
Emilia Clarke Bio & Social Media
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 23, 1986 |
| Age | 38 years old (as of Jan 16, 2025) |
| Screen Name | Emilia Clarke |
| First Name | Emilia |
| Full Name | Emilia Isobel Euphemia Rose Clarke |
| Gender | Female |
| Father | Peter Clarke |
| Mother | Jennifer Clarke |
| Siblings | One brother, Bennett Clarke |
| Birth Place | London, England |
| Residence | British |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Education | Studied at Drama Centre London |
| Relationships | Sebastian ‘Bassi’ Fox (2024 – 2025), Charlie McDowell (2018 – 2019), Jai Courtney (2014 – 2015), Cory Michael Smith (2014), James Franco (2013), Seth MacFarlane (2012 – 2013) |
| No of Relationships | 7 |
| Rumored Hookup | Jared Leto (2014) |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Height | 5’2″ (157 cm) |
| Eye Color | Blue/Green |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Net Worth | Estimated $20 million |
| Category | Actress, Model |
| Winning Awards | See full list on her awards page |
| Emilia Clarke – 31.5M followers | |
| Facebook Page | Will Update Soon |
| Twitter (X) | Emilia Clarke – 5.2M followers |
| TikTok | Will Update Soon |
| YouTube | Will Update Soon |
| Threads | Will Update Soon |
| Snapchat | Will Update Soon |
| Wikipedia | Emilia Clarke Wikipedia |
Emilia Clarke Early Career
Clarke made her television debut in 2009 with a guest-starring role on the medical soap opera “Doctors,” and the following year, she appeared in “Triassic Attack” on the Syfy network, was cast in “Game of Thrones,” and was named a UK Star of Tomorrow by “Screen International” magazine. Emilia gained international fame for her performance as Daenerys Targaryen, “Mother of Dragons,” on “Game of Thrones,” earning critical acclaim and several awards. The series, which is based on a fantasy book series by George R. R. Martin, ran for 8 seasons, and Clarke appeared in 62 episodes. During her early years on the popular HBO series, Emilia appeared in the short film “Shackled” (2012), the feature films “Spike Island” (2012) and “Dom Hemingway” (2013), and a 2013 Broadway production of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (playing Holly Golightly).
In 2013, Clarke landed the role of Sarah Connor in “Terminator Genisys,” which grossed $440.6 million at the box office when it was released in 2015. She followed the movie with several more hits: 2016’s “Me Before You” (which grossed $208.3 million), 2018’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” ($393.2 million), and 2019’s “Last Christmas” ($121.6 million). Emilia also appeared in supernatural thriller “Voice from the Stone” (2017), short film “Leading Lady Parts” (2018), and crime thriller “Above Suspicion” (2019) and lent her voice to the TV shows “Futurama” (2013), “Robot Chicken” (2016), “Animals” (2017), and “Thunderbirds Are Go” (2017). Clarke was offered the role of Anastasia Steele in “Fifty Shades of Grey” but turned it down. In 2020, Clarke was cast as Nina in a production of Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull” at London’s Playhouse Theatre, but on March 16th, the production was suspended after less than a week of previews due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Breakthrough Role: Daenerys Targaryen
Clarke’s career took a dramatic turn when she was cast as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones in 2010. She replaced Tamzin Merchant, who played the role in the unaired pilot episode. Game of Thrones became a global phenomenon, and Clarke’s portrayal of the “Mother of Dragons” garnered widespread critical acclaim.
Daenerys Targaryen’s character arc was complex and compelling, evolving from a timid young woman into a powerful and determined leader. Clarke’s performance captured the character’s strength, vulnerability, and ambition, earning her numerous award nominations, including four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Emilia Clarke Game of Thrones Salary
For the final two seasons of Game of Thrones, 14 episodes that aired between July 2017 and May 2019, Emilia Clarke’s salary per episode was $1.1 million. That works out to $14.3 million for those two seasons. That per-episode salary is currently the sixth-highest amount any actor has ever earned on a TV show (tied with several of her GOT co-stars). For the 20 episodes she shot for seasons 5 and 6, she earned $500,000 per episode, $10 million total. Emilia’s total earnings from the entire run of Game of Thrones likely top $30 million before taxes.
Emilia Clarke Other Notable Roles
While working on Game of Thrones, Clarke also took on other roles in film and theatre. Some of her notable projects include:
- Dom Hemingway (2013): She played Evelyn Hemingway, the daughter of Jude Law’s character.
- Terminator Genisys (2015): Clarke starred as Sarah Connor in this reboot of the Terminator franchise.
- Me Before You (2016): She played Louisa Clark, a caregiver who falls in love with a paralyzed man, played by Sam Claflin. This romantic drama was a commercial success.
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): Clarke portrayed Qi’ra, a childhood friend and love interest of Han Solo.
- Last Christmas (2019): She starred as Kate, a young woman working as an elf in a Christmas shop, in this romantic comedy.
In addition to her film roles, Clarke made her Broadway debut in 2013 as Holly Golightly in a production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Emilia Clarke Charity Work
In 2011, Clarke was named a celebrity ambassador for the SMA UK Trust Team, and in 2018, she became the Royal College of Nursing’s sole ambassador. In 2018, she raised $160,000 for the J/P HRO & Disaster Relief Organizations at the Sean Penn Charity Gala by auctioning off a chance for a lucky person to watch “Game of Thrones” with her. In 2019, Emilia founded the charity SameYou, which helps young people who have suffered from strokes or brain injuries; she raised more than £200,000 for the charity during a September 2019 livestream with YouTuber Jacksepticeye. She also held a “Justice for Daenerys” fundraiser after “Game of Thrones” ended, raising over £83,000 for SameYou, and in April 2020, she launched a fundraiser for the organization’s COVID-19 fund, hoping to raise at least £250,000. Clarke received the American Brain Foundation’s Public Leadership in Neurology award in 2020.
Emilia Clarke Controversies
Like many high-profile celebrities, Clarke has faced some controversies throughout her career. One notable instance was the backlash surrounding the final season of Game of Thrones. Many fans and critics expressed disappointment with the writing and character arcs, including Daenerys Targaryen’s. While Clarke defended the show and her character’s journey, she acknowledged the mixed reactions.
Another instance involved some criticism regarding her role in Terminator Genisys, with some arguing that the film did not live up to the standards of the original Terminator movies.
Emilia Clarke Health Challenges
In 2019, Clarke revealed that she had suffered two brain aneurysms in the early years of Game of Thrones. The first occurred in 2011, shortly after the first season, and the second in 2013. She underwent multiple surgeries and spent time recovering. Clarke has been open about her experiences to raise awareness about brain aneurysms and stroke prevention. She has also established a charity called SameYou to provide support for people recovering from brain injuries and stroke.
Emilia Clarke Net Worth and Salary
Emilia Clark is an English actress who has a net worth of $20 million. Emilia Clarke is most widely recognized for her Emmy-nominated work as Daenerys Targaryen on the hit series “Game of Thrones,” which ran from 2011 to 2019. Emilia has also starred in several films, including “Terminator Genisys” (2015), “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018), and “Last Christmas” (2019). In 2019, “Time” magazine included Clarke on their list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
Emilia Clarke Future Projects
Emilia Clarke continues to be an active and sought-after actress. She has several upcoming projects in development, including roles in both film and television. She is also involved in various philanthropic endeavors, focusing on health and wellness initiatives.
Emilia Clarke Real Estate
In 2016, Emilia paid $4.64 million for a mansion in Venice Beach, California. The 2,817-square-foot home features sliding glass doors, floor-to-ceiling bookcases, and a 30-foot swimming pool. Clarke put the home on the rental market for $25,000 per month in 2018. She listed this home for sale in August 2020 for just under $5 million.
In late 2016, she reportedly purchased a 6-bedroom home in the Hampstead area of London for £8 million (pounds).
Emilia Clarke Conclusion
Emilia Clarke has established herself as a talented and versatile actress with a significant impact on the entertainment industry. Her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones cemented her status as a global star. Despite facing health challenges and controversies, she has remained resilient and continues to pursue her passion for acting while using her platform to advocate for important causes. Her journey from a drama student to a household name is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication.
