Millie Bobby Brown’s Rise to Stardom as a Child Actor
Millie Bobby Brown was born in Spain in 2004 to English parents. From a young age, Millie showed a passion and talent for performance, demonstrating extraordinary maturity and depth as an actress.
At age 8, Millie’s family moved to Orlando, Florida to pursue acting opportunities for her. She began taking acting classes and securing small roles, gaining experience in the entertainment industry. Within two years, her family would uproot once again – this time to Hollywood, where Millie would begin the swift rise to stardom that she still enjoys today.
Landing a Role on Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
In 2013, a casting call went out for a young Alice in Wonderland to appear on the show Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. Millie Bobby Brown, age 9 at the time, jumped at the opportunity and auditioned. The showrunners were blown away by her poise and ability, and she secured the high-profile role.
This was her first big break – while Wonderland itself would only run for one season, it put Millie on studios’ radar and earned her critical praise:
“Young Millie Bobby Brown is the breakout star of Wonderland. She has tremendous presence for someone so small and young.” – Entertainment Weekly
Appearing on network television gave the young starlet incredible exposure leading into her career-defining role next.
Becoming “Eleven” on Stranger Things
In 2015, Millie Bobby Brown auditioned for the role of “Eleven” – a mysterious girl with telekinetic powers – on Netflix’s Stranger Things. She instantly impressed the creators, The Duffer Brothers. In the words of Ross Duffer:
“Millie was the first person cast. She was the first audition, the first video we watched, and I remember we all just turned to each other and we were like, ‘Wow, for some reason with Millie, she was Eleven.’ Like she seemed very unique and very distinctive.”
Despite the show still being early in development, they knew they had found their star, who would soon become the fan favorite on the global smash hit.
Stranger Things’ Explosive Popularity
When Stranger Things debuted in July 2016, it became an unexpected summer sensation. The show drew acclaim for its nostalgic 80’s aesthetics, great writing, and the charismatic cast of child actors – with none shining brighter than Millie Bobby Brown.
Fans worldwide were enamored by her emotional performance as the mysterious Eleven. Millie herself has commented:
“The reaction has been amazing. People love Eleven and can really connect with her. I think it’s amazing when people come up to me and say ‘I’ve been bullied my whole life, and Eleven has inspired me.'”
Stranger Things has only continued to grow in popularity with each new season. As of 2022, it is one of Netflix’s most watched shows ever made. And Millie Bobby Brown remains a central part of its appeal.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Awards and Recognition
Thanks to her breakout role as Eleven in Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown began accumulating nominations and wins from awards groups recognizing her prodigious talent:
- 2017 – Nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Stranger Things)
- 2017 – Won Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (Stranger Things)
- 2018 – Nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Stranger Things)
- 2018 – Time Magazine listed her as one of the 100 Most Influential People
- 2019 – Nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Stranger Things)
- 2021 – Nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Stranger Things)
Her accolades have made her one of the most awarded child actors of all time – an incredible feat considering her young age. And she is still just getting started.
Transitioning into Film with Godzilla vs. Kong
Millie Bobby Brown leveraged her newfound fame to begin collaborating with top Hollywood talent on feature films. In 2021, she starred in the blockbuster Godzilla vs. Kong as Madison Russell – the teenage daughter caught in the battle between the two titans.
The movie grossed over $100 million at the U.S. box office despite releasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Millie again earned high marks for her performance in her first huge budget effects-driven film:
“Millie Bobby Brown’s natural charisma and charming screen presence is a welcome emotional anchor in this visually spectacular film.” – Rolling Stone
Proving she can anchor a mega-budget franchise film suggests a bright future full of diverse roles ahead. And Brown remains one of the most in-demand actresses for major studios.
Millie Bobby Brown Launching New Projects
Now an A-list star before turning 20 years old, Millie Bobby Brown has used her platform to pursue creative passions – acting as producer and founder on multiple upcoming series:
- In 2018, Brown formed her own production company, PCMA Productions. Upcoming series include:
- A Netflix mystery film titled Enola Holmes based on a popular book series. Millie will star as the title character – the teenage sister to the famed Sherlock – and produce.
- A fantasy film series titled Damsel in which Brown will both produce and star.
- In 2022, Millie launched a new cosmetics brand called Florence by Mills. The Gen-Z focused makeup and skincare line has been a huge success so far.
- She will continue starring as the iconic Eleven on future seasons of Stranger Things.
Brown has accomplished an incredible amount already, expanding her profile beyond just acting into creative entrepreneurship as well. She has firmly cemented herself as an inspiring role model and resilient artist.
What Does the Future Hold for Millie Bobby Brown?
At just 18 years old, Millie Bobby Brown’s career achievements outpace those of even the most successful adult actors in Hollywood. She has cultivated one iconic character in Eleven, launched her own production company, starred in mega budget action movies, and become a fashion and beauty icon for teenagers worldwide.
And Millie remains humble and grounded throughout it all, frequently commenting on how grateful she feels for the opportunities and creative chances she’s been afforded at a young age:.
“I feel so lucky and blessed to have such incredible opportunities at just 17 years old. I can’t wait to continue challenging myself as an actress.”
Given thewisdom she’s already demonstrated in her still nascent career, there appears no limit to how high her star might rise. She has all the makings of an all-time great – and Millie Bobby Brown’s breathtaking journey to the top is only just beginning.
The future for Millie Bobby Brown shines unbelievably bright.
Conclusion
At just 18 years old, Millie Bobby Brown has firmly established herself as one of the top talents and creative voices of her generation thanks to her meteoric rise as a child actress.
Propelled to fame by her powerful performance as the fan favorite character Eleven on Stranger Things starting at age 12, she has since leveraged that platform to pursue a variety creative of passions – acting, producing, writing, and creating/modelling for her own beauty brand targeted at Gen Z.
Her early accomplishments represent an astonishing feat of poise, maturity and resilience in someone so young. And Brown remains firmly grounded and grateful throughout it all – constantly looking for her next challenge to grow personally and professionally.
Still just in the beginnings of her career, Millie Bobby Brown appears destined for true icon status in the entertainment industry based on her early trajectory and achievements. Her breathtaking journey thus far serves as an inspiration to child actors and creative entrepreneurs of all ages. The sky remains the limit for this multi-talented young force of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Millie Bobby Brown’s Child Acting Career
Here are answers to some common questions about Millie’s swift rise to fame as a kid:
How old was Millie Bobby Brown on Stranger Things?
Millie was 12 years old when she was cast as Eleven on the first season of Stranger Things back in 2015.
What was Millie’s first acting role?
Millie’s first on screen acting credit came at age 8 in the show Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as Young Alice. This jumpstarted her professional career in the entertainment business.
Where is Millie Bobby Brown from originally?
Millie was born in Marbella, Spain to English parents. Her family moved to Orlando, Florida when she was 8 to pursue acting opportunities, then out to Hollywood two years later.
How much money does Millie Bobby Brown make per Stranger Things episode?
According to financial reports, Millie is paid around $350,000 per episode of Stranger Things. And that number will likely keep rising steeply!
What awards has Millie Bobby Brown won?
Despite her young age, Millie has won a SAG Award for Ensemble Cast and been nominated for 3 Emmy Awards for her acclaimed performance as Eleven on Stranger Things.