Emily Blunt

Emily Olivia Laura Blunt was born in London on 23 February 1983. She is the second of four children, born to a former actress and English teacher, Joanna Mackie, and a barrister, Oliver Blunt QC. Her mother gave up acting to be a full-time mother before Blunt started school. Blunt described herself as a "shy and awkward" child. In childhood, she began having difficulties with stuttering, which she described as debilitating and "like an imposter living in your body". She experienced its worst state from the ages of seven to fourteen. Intimidated by speaking, Blunt spent a lot of time watching people as well as creating elaborate games. She credits a school teacher for encouraging her to perform in class plays using voices different to her own, which allowed her to disconnect from herself and speak fluently, and gave her confidence to continue, eventually leading her to discover her love for acting. Blunt stated that her stutter largely receded in adulthood, but she still occasionally stutters when she feels stressed. She attended Hurtwood House, a sixth form boarding school in Surrey known for its performing arts programme. After performing in a school play that went to the Edinburgh Festival, Blunt was discovered and signed by an agent. She finished her school exams and began auditioning.