Emma Roberts Biography, Showbiz Career & Net Worth

Early Life and Family Background

Emma Rose Roberts was born in Rhinebeck, New York, on February 10, 1991. Her childhood was a mix of normal upbringing and Hollywood glitter. Kelly Cunningham and actor Eric Roberts divorced when Emma was a newborn after a troubled marriage. Emma spent her childhood with her mother and stepfather, musician Kelly Nickels, in a grounded setting. Her younger half-sister Grace, on her mother's side, gave her early stability.

Acting enticed Emma despite her absence from her biological father. The performing arts ran in her family. Betty Lou Bredemus, her paternal grandmother, was an esteemed acting coach who helped aspiring actors. However, her aunts Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan had the most impact. Emma's time on movie sets with her aunt Julia was more than simply fun—it kindled a desire. Emma wanted to be an actor after seeing her aunt's passion and the excitement of filmmaking.

Kelly Cunningham, Emma's mother, was originally hesitant. After seeing Hollywood's unpredictability, Kelly undoubtedly wanted Emma to have a more typical childhood. This possible tension between Emma's increasing desire to act and her mother's yearning for normalcy shaped her early entertainment industry career.

Career Beginning

Emma's early Hollywood career defied the odds for kid actresses.  In 2001, she made her film debut at 10 in the crime biopic "Blow." She played Kristina Jung, Johnny Depp's character George Jung's daughter -- no small role.  Emma learned a lot from Depp on set.  It offered her a taste of the professional world and likely reinforced her decision to become an actor.

The original success wasn't a fluke.  The joy of her first film part drove Emma to pursue other possibilities throughout her teens.  She knew the industry was competitive and probably practiced at auditions and acting schools.  This focus and perseverance led to her breakout part a few years later.

Breakthrough Role

Emma's breakout performance was on Nickelodeon in 2004. She played Addie Singer in "Unfabulous." A generation of teens loved "Unfabulous"—not just any teen sitcom. Addie Singer wasn't the ideal high school student.  She was relatable, awkward, and figuring life out with her best pals.  Emma played Addie charmingly and authentically, reflecting teenage life.

With three successful seasons until 2007, "Unfabulous" became a cultural phenomenon. Emma became a teen idol and a great actress who could connect with a wide audience thanks to the show.  Emma took use of her newfound fame to perform.  Her first album, "Unfabulous and More," was the show's music. Fans loved the album's infectious pop tracks, which established Emma's versatility.

Emma Roberts Movies

After the success of "Unfabulous," Emma deliberately switched from adolescent idol to young actress with different film parts.  She returned to film in 2006 with the family comedy "Aquamarine."  This fun short showcased her comedic timing while appealing to younger audiences.  Next year, she played the iconic teenage sleuth in "Nancy Drew," a more challenging part.  Her humorous and dramatic performances proved her versatility as an actress.

Emma experimented with different film genres throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s.  The 2009 coming-of-age drama "Lymelife" explored adolescence.  She featured with her aunt Julia Roberts in the 2010 romantic comedy "Valentine's Day," proving she could stand alone.  This adaptability continued in "Scream 4" (2011), indicating she was comfortable with horror.

Emma's cinematic career surged in the early 2010s.  Many critically regarded films featured her in leading roles.  The independent drama "We're the Millers" (2013) showed her comedic talent and audience connection in a funny road trip.  In the romantic comedy "Adult World" (2013), she explored young adulthood.  In the historical drama "I Am Michael" (2015), she played an ex-gay activist, expanding her dramatic range.  The psychological thriller "Palo Alto" (2014) and the frightening mystery "The Blackcoat's Daughter" (2015) helped Emma enhance her horror film resume.

Complete List of Emma Roberts' Movies:

• Blow (2001)
• Aquamarine (2006)
• Nancy Drew (2007)
• Wild Child (2008)
• Lymelife (2008)
• Hotel for Dogs (2009)
• 4.3.2.1. (2010)
• Valentine's Day (2010)
• It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
• The Art of Getting By (2011)
• Scream 4 (2011)
• Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012)
• Empire State (2013)
• Adult World (2013)
• We're the Millers (2013)
• Palo Alto (2014)
• The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)
• I Am Michael (2015)
• Nerve (2016)
• Who We Are Now (2017)
• Billionaire Boys Club (2018)
• Little Italy (2018)
• Paradise Hills (2019)
• Holidate (2020)
• About Fate (2022)

Emma Roberts TV Shows

Despite her success in movies, Emma never abandoned television. Her 2011 part solidified her horror credentials and showed her acting range.  She played elegant witch Madison Montgomery in FX's critically acclaimed horror anthology "American Horror Story".  In season three ("Coven"), Emma played this complex character, a fan favorite, and she returned for consecutive seasons, showing her versatility.  "American Horror Story" challenged Emma as an actress and introduced her to a larger audience, especially macabre fans.

Emma played the lead in "Scream Queens" in 2015, capitalizing on "American Horror Story" and her horror character.  The show, from the same creators as "American Horror Story," had lighter horror.  Emma played Chanel Oberlin, a caustic sorority president who leads an ensemble of funny characters through a series of mystery killings.  The two-season sitcom established Emma as a comic performer who could handle horror and humor.

Emma recently appeared in Netflix's "Rom-Com Pods" (2022).  This return to rom-coms showed her ability to make lighter films warm and charming.

Complete List of Emma Roberts' TV Shows:

• Drake & Josh (2004)
• Unfabulous (2004-2007)
• American Horror Story (2011-present)
• Scream Queens (2015-2016)
• High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019) (voice)
• Rom-Com Pods (2022)

Emma Roberts Net Worth

Emma Roberts has made a lot of money from her profession.  Her $25 million net worth comes from her successful film and television career. It's impressive that she can switch genres and captivate listeners.  Celebrity net worths are estimations and vary by source. However, Emma Roberts has made a successful career in showbiz.

Conclusion

Emma Roberts' Hollywood career shows her brilliance and flexibility. Her family was in the acting business, so it was in her blood. Despite growing up with a famous aunt and a troubled relationship with her actor father, Emma loved performing.

Her "Unfabulous" teen idol success may have ended her career. Emma carefully used her fame to demonstrate her adaptability.  She starred in family comedies, coming-of-age dramas, and horror pictures.  This eagerness to try new things made her a serious actress, not merely a teen celebrity.

Her love of horror films, especially "American Horror Story," made her a "scream queen."  She easily combined this with humorous performances in "Scream Queens" and "Rom-Com Pods." Her versatility as an actress shows in her genre-bending.

Emma Roberts' Hollywood future is bright with a successful film and television career, a large net worth, and a loyal fanbase.  Emma Roberts will be a force in the entertainment business for years to come, whether she scares us in horror films, makes us laugh in comedies, or surprises us with fresh dramas.