Emily Ellen Rudd was born on February 24, 1993, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to parents Jeffrey and Michelle Rudd1. She grew up in a Christian environment with her older brother, Dan Rudd1. Emily developed an early interest in the performing arts, which inspired her to pursue a degree in theater performance1. Her interest in modeling and acting developed early on, and she participated in a variety of performing programs to deepen her education in the entertainment industry1. Emily practiced karate as a child and had a strong interest in horses, attending horse riding camps on a regular basis1. These early experiences, as well as her Midwestern background, would impact her professional choices and pave the way for her to become a successful Hollywood actor1.

Emily Rudd's early career includes performances in various music videos, which allowed her to get exposure in the entertainment industry before moving on to acting jobs. She appeared in notable videos for popular musicians, such as The Chainsmokers' "#SELFIE" in 2014 and Zedd's "Beautiful Now" in 20151. These high-profile music video roles gave Rudd crucial on-camera experience and certainly increased her recognition in the business. While music videos were not her major emphasis, they did serve as stepping stones in her career, allowing her to collaborate with established artists and directors before securing larger playing roles in television and film productions.

Emily Rudd's breakout performance was in Netflix's "Fear Street" trilogy, where she played Cindy Berman in "Fear Street Part Two: 1978" and Abigail Berman in "Fear Street Part Three: 1666"1. Rudd played Cindy, a young camp counselor caught up in a horrifying slaughter at Camp Nightwing1. Her portrayal was acclaimed for depicting the character's development from a rule-abiding "good girl" to a determined survivor fighting to defend her sister Ziggy, played by Sadie Sink1. Rudd was able to show off her acting range in this part, blending terrifying scenes with emotional depth1. Her performance of Cindy was essential to the trilogy's study of generational trauma and sisterly connections, anchoring the supernatural terror in real human drama1.

Emily Rudd's performance as Nami in the live-action adaption of "One Piece" has sparked both enthusiasm and disagreement among fans12. While series creator Eiichiro Oda approved Rudd's casting, some fans were concerned about the character's presentation as a "older sister figure" in advertising materials, which differed from Nami's customary portrayal in anime and manga3. Despite these early concerns, Rudd's performance has been acclaimed for nailing Nami's spirit, even if her portrayal leans more toward the character's introspective side than the raucous demeanor depicted in the anime13. The live-action adaptation tries to strike a balance between honoring the beloved character and adapting her for a new medium, with Rudd's portrayal emphasizing Nami's intelligence, drive, and navigational skills, which are essential to her role in the Straw Hat Pirates123.