Although Emilia Clarke had backup jobs that included being a singer, an architect, or a graphic designer, Game of Thrones fans are relieved that Emilia didn’t need to act on any of those. She has been in the acting world for a while, but it was the role of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones that truly rocketed her to stardom. Emilia was on the HBO fantasy series from 2011-2019. During that time she won numerous awards, including three nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
While there is a lot more we know about Emilia now that she’s been an A-lister for several years, there are loads of fun facts still to be discovered about the Game of Thrones actor. Here are 15 little-known facts about GOT’s Emilia Clarke.
15. She Suffered From A Life Threatening Brain Aneurysm
Emilia Clarke has survived not one, but two life-threatening brain aneurysms, both during the years she was shooting Game of Thrones. The first one happened while she was at the gym and she was rushed to the hospital. Two years later she had another one that was taken care of before it burst.
14. She Has Central Heterochromia Eyes
Heterochromia of the eyes is when you have two different colors whether it be one iris a different color from the other or part of each iris being a different color from the other part. Emilia has central heterochromatic which means that both of her irises are grey on the outer rim, but they are hazel on the inner rim.
13. It’s Hard For Her To Get Out Of Character After Shooting ‘GOT’
Emilia Clarke has admitted that it’s hard for her to get out of character after shooting Game of Thrones. Sometimes she thinks it’s less stressful being on set so she doesn’t take Daenerys into the real world with her. It makes sense since she probably spends more time as Daenerys than as Emilia during filming.
12. She Only Had One Day To Prepare For Her ‘GOT Audition’
Getting the call for the Game of Thrones audition was one of the most life changing events for Emilia. It’s crazy to think that she had only one day to prepare. She called off sick from her catering job and researched everything she could about the books. In the end, Emilia did the funky chicken and the robot dance during her audition.
11. She’s Has Her Childhood Dream Job
Emilia Clarke has wanted to be an actor since she was three years old and watched a performance of Showboat that her father was working on as a theater sound engineer. Clarke later said in an interview that her father was skeptical about her dreams and told her, “The only line you’ll ever need to learn is ‘Do you want fries with that?’”
10. She Isn’t The First Daenerys Targaryen
In the original pilot for Game of Thrones that ended up not being aired, Daenerys Targaryen was played by Tamzin Merchant. There ended up being problems with the original script and most of the first episode needed to be re-recorded, this time with Emilia Clarke as the leading lady.
9. The ‘GOT’ Nude Scenes Made Her Cry
As a young woman filming mature content for the first time, it wasn’t always easy for Emilia to film the nude scenes in Game of Thrones. Emilia said in an interview, ”Once, I had to take a little time out. I said I needed a cup of tea, had a bit of a cry, and was ready for the next scene.”
8. She Is The Second ‘Game Of Thrones’ Actor To Play Sarah Connor
In 2015, Emilia Clarke played the role of Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys. However, she wasn’t the first Game of Thrones actor to play Sarah Connor. Lena Hadley played Connor on the TV show Terminator: The Sarah Chronicles. Hadley also acted alongside Emilia as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones.
7. She Is An Extremely Talented Musician
One thing that fans don’t usually know about Emilia Clarke is that she is an amazing and talented musician. She can sing just about any song with her gorgeous alto voice. Emilia is also a natural with a variety of musical instruments and can play the piano, flute, and guitar.
6. She Rarely Gets Recognized For Her Role of Khaleesi In Public
Because of the long platinum blonde wig Emilia Clarke wore for most of Game of Thrones, she doesn’t normally get recognized by fans while in public, even when she’s with other GOT cast members. Emilia has naturally dark brown hair, so it’s easy to pass her by while out and about.
5. She Often Worked Several Jobs At A Time Before Being Cast In ‘GOT’
Like most successful actors, there was once a time when Emilia wasn’t well known and needed to work several jobs just to pay her bills. When Emilia finished drama school, she was working six jobs at once including working as a caterer, a server, a bartender, a call center agent, and a licensed real estate agent.
4. She Was Made Fun Of For Her Eyebrows Growing Up
3. Her Favorite TV Show Isn’t ‘Game Of Thrones’
Just because Emilia Clarke has become a household name because of her work as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, that doesn’t mean it has to be her favorite show. I mean who wants to watch yourself on TV all the time? Her favorite show is actually Friends, so I’m sure no one will blame her.
2. She Can Speak Multiple Languages Besides Dothraki
It’s pretty obvious that Emilia Clarke can speak Dothraki fluently, but what most fans don’t know is that she’s also fluent in several other languages. English is her first language, but she can also speak French, German and Indian. I can’t imagine speaking four languages! Well five if you count Dothraki, which I definitely do.
1. She Has Been Turned Down For Several Notable Roles
Being turned down for several notable roles doesn’t mean that you should stop trying and Emilia Clarke is proof of that. Emilia auditioned for the role of Sharon Carter in Captain America: The Winter Solider that went to Emily VanCamp as well as the the role of the Enchantress in Suicide Squad that went to Cara Delevingne.
