Happy Birthday Bella Ramsey: Exploring Her Life And Career As Last Of Us Star Turns 21

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As I reflect upon Bella Ramsey‘s remarkable journey, I find myself in awe of their resilience and talent. Born and bred in Nottingham, England, this 21-year-old powerhouse has conquered Hollywood with grace and determination. From playing Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones to embodying Ellie in The Last of Us, Bella’s performances have left audiences spellbound.

Bella Ramsey, currently 21 years old, gained prominence in the world of Hollywood by portraying a mysterious young noblewoman in HBO’s hit fantasy series Game of Thrones. Later, she captivated viewers with her acting skills in the post-apocalyptic HBO show The Last of Us, based on the well-known video game. Her exceptional performance earned her nominations for both a Golden Globe and a Critics’ Choice Award in the Best Actress in a Drama category, sharing the limelight with fellow Game of Thrones actor Pedro Pascal. On Wednesday, September 25th, this young star will be celebrating their birthday. As they embark on another year of their career and life, we take a look back at Bella Ramsey’s journey to Hollywood stardom.

Early Life

Born on September 25 in Nottingham, England, Isabella May Ramsey grew up in Leicestershire. For their high school education, they opted for online learning through King’s InterHigh. At the tender age of four, Isabella started attending Loughborough Stagecoach Theatre Arts as a pastime. After seven years of theater coaching, they transitioned to television workshops to hone their skills for professional auditions.

Initially, Ramsey posted a video on Twitter from an early audition, mentioning that the director was pleased with their performance but couldn’t provide them the role due to not fitting the typical “Hollywood appearance.” Pondering back on this encounter, the actor from Game of Thrones commented, “That’s something I’ve always found quite intriguing.

Hollywood Career

In the “Broken Man” episode of Season 6 in 2016, the actor made an impressive debut that garnered universal acclaim from both critics and fans of Game of Thrones. Subsequently, they continued to portray their character throughout Seasons 7 and 8, with the series concluding in 2019.

In the year 2017, they became part of the cast for the adaptation of Jill Murphy’s children’s book series The Worst Witch. This role earned them the Young Performer award at the British Academy Children’s Awards in 2019. However, they departed from the series in 2020 following three seasons. In the year 2018, they provided the voice for the main character in the Netflix original series Hilda. Furthermore, they wrote and performed “The Life of Hilda” during the second season, which was inspired by a joking suggestion from Dave Peacock, the series director.

In the year 2022, Ramsey portrayed a teenage girl dwelling in 13th-century England in Lenа Dunham’s movie titled Catherine Called Birdy. Their impressive performance throughout the film led to a nomination for Best Young Performer at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. Notably, the film incorporated a song called Birdy Song, which Ramsey penned when they were only ten years old. Moreover, Ramsey collaborated with Safia Oakley-Green in the 2021 horror short film Requiem.

The Last of Us

Bella Ramsey assumed her most significant role yet as Ellie, a 14-year-old orphan resistant to a fungus causing people to become zombies, in The Last of Us, based on the 2013 video game title. This series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Joel (played by Pedro Pascal from Game of Thrones) tries to save Ellie from a quarantine zone amidst the devastating pandemic.

Craig Mazin, one of the creators behind the series, was taken aback by Ramsey’s skill from their first audition and immediately pictured them in the role of Ellie. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, at first, Ramsey was reluctant to take on the part due to apprehensions about the attention it would attract. However, they eventually decided to accept the offer.

In July 2023, Ramsey was nominated for a 75th Primetime Emmy Award for their work in The Last of Us, becoming the first non-binary actor to ever receive this recognition. Later in September 2023, Ramsey made Time’s 100 Next list, and actress Emma D’Arcy commended them for their advocacy efforts and exceptional acting abilities.

Personal Life

During an interview with The New York Times, Ramsey shared that their personal identity has never been strictly male or female, instead, it’s quite fluid. If asked to choose a gender on a form, the Game of Thrones actor would opt for non-binary. They expressed, “I consider myself simply as a person.” While they aren’t fond of being labeled by gender, they also don’t place much importance on pronouns.

In 2023, during an interview with British Vogue, Ramsey explained that being referred to as “they” resonates the most sincerely because it mirrors their personal identity. The actor also voiced unease about competing in a gender-specific Emmy category in 2023 but expressed optimism for future award classifications that would offer more equitable recognition for non-binary individuals.

The performer from “The Last of Us” has been candid about their struggle with an eating disorder. They shared with their Instagram followers that they needed some time off work to focus on their mental wellbeing. Ramsey disclosed that a significant aspect in their recovery from anorexia nervosa was their robust Christian faith, although they acknowledged that their religious convictions have noticeably decreased since 2023.

On The Late Late Show with James Corden, the young actor playfully revealed that they picked up their American accent by repeating profanities – a trait their character Ellie in The Last of Us exhibits often. At 18, Ramsey was identified as neurodivergent. They are also an ardent vegan and advocate for this lifestyle. Besides acting, Ramsey is musically inclined, playing the guitar and singing. In 2019, there were initial plans for a podcast, but eventually, the project was abandoned.

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2024-09-25 06:39