From Montreal to Hollywood: The Versatile Career of Canadian Actor Emily Hampshire
In short: Emily Hampshire has built a prolific career spanning decades, moving from Canadian television staples to international acclaim. Known for her range in both live-action and voice roles, she has navigated the industry from her teenage years to becoming a recognizable face in major series like Schitt's Creek and 12 Monkeys.
Born in Montreal to a dentist, Hampshire discovered her passion for performance at age 11 after seeing a stage production of Les Misérables. Her path toward professional acting was encouraged by a vice principal at her school, and by 16, she had relocated to Toronto to pursue opportunities in film and television. Although she gained admission to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts following high school, she declined to enroll to prioritize a specific film role, marking an early commitment to her craft.
Hampshire’s professional journey began in 1996, leading to a diverse portfolio that includes voice work for animated series like Braceface and Ruby Gloom, alongside feature films such as The Life Before This. Her career gained significant momentum in 2012, a year that saw her receive the inaugural Birks Canadian Diamond award in Cannes and appear in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis. This period established her as a versatile performer capable of moving between indie projects and high-profile genre television.
Her work on the Syfy series 12 Monkeys, where she portrayed a reimagined version of a character originally played by Brad Pitt, showcased her ability to adapt iconic roles. Simultaneously, her portrayal of Stevie Budd in Schitt's Creek from 2015 to 2020 became one of her most defining contributions to television. Beyond acting, Hampshire has expanded her creative output into literature, co-writing the graphic novel Amelia Aierwood – Basic Witch in 2023. Now a naturalized U.S. citizen who splits her time between Los Angeles and Toronto, she continues to balance diverse projects, including recent roles in series like The Rig.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Emily Hampshire
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