Millie Bobby Brown: From Stranger Things to Global Stardom
At just 21 years old, Millie Bobby Brown has transformed from a young talent in acting workshops to a global icon, celebrated for her Emmy-nominated role as Eleven in Netflix’s Stranger Things and her ventures as a producer, model, and philanthropist. Born in Spain to British parents, Brown’s journey is one of resilience, creativity, and trailblazing achievements. This biography explores her early life, meteoric rise in Hollywood, entrepreneurial endeavors, and advocacy work, offering a comprehensive look at a star who continues to redefine young stardom.
Early Life and Discovery
Millie Bonnie Brown was born on February 19, 2004, in Marbella, Spain, the third of four children to British parents Kelly and Robert Brown. Her father, an estate agent, nicknamed her “Bobby,” a moniker that stuck. Born with partial hearing loss in her left ear, which progressed to full deafness in that ear by childhood, Brown faced early challenges but showed an innate passion for performance. The family moved to Bournemouth, England, when she was four, and later to Orlando, Florida, in 2011, seeking better opportunities.
In Orlando, Brown’s talent shone during weekend acting workshops. A Hollywood talent scout spotted her, telling her parents, “She has instincts you cannot teach,” and urged them to take her to Los Angeles. The Browns sold nearly everything to relocate, a gamble that paid off. Within three months, Brown landed her first role as young Alice in ABC’s Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013), marking her acting debut at age nine. Her natural ability led to guest spots on NCIS, Modern Family, and Grey’s Anatomy by 2015.
Breakthrough with Stranger Things
In 2016, Brown’s life changed when she was cast as Eleven in Netflix’s Stranger Things, a sci-fi horror series created by the Duffer Brothers. At 11, she shaved her head for the role of a telekinetic girl with a traumatic past, delivering a raw, emotional performance that captivated audiences. Critics, including Variety, hailed her as “a revelation,” and her portrayal earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2017, 2018) and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017. She also won a Saturn Award for Best Younger Actor in a Television Series in 2017. Stranger Things became a cultural phenomenon, with Brown’s enigmatic Eleven becoming a fan favorite and a pop culture icon.
Brown’s commitment to the role was profound—she mastered an American accent by watching Disney Channel shows and endured eating countless Eggos, despite growing sick of them. Her chemistry with co-stars like Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, and Winona Ryder cemented her as the heart of the series. As of 2025, with the fifth and final season in production, Brown remains a cornerstone of the show, even getting an “Eleven” tattoo to honor the role.
Expanding Horizons: Film and Production
Brown’s success on Stranger Things opened doors to major film roles. In 2019, she made her feature film debut as Madison Russell in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, reprising the role in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). Director Michael Dougherty wrote the part specifically for her, using a 3D-animated version of Brown during pre-production. Her film career soared with Enola Holmes (2020), where she starred as Sherlock Holmes’s clever younger sister and served as a producer through her company, PCMA Productions, co-run with her sister Paige. The sequel, Enola Holmes 2 (2022), earned her $10 million, making her one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses that year, per Variety. In 2024, she starred in and produced Netflix’s Damsel, a fantasy film subverting fairy-tale tropes.
Upcoming projects include The Electric State (2025), a sci-fi adventure directed by the Russo Brothers, where Brown stars as Michelle in a robot-filled world. Her production slate also includes The Girls I’ve Been and A Time Lost, showcasing her growing influence behind the camera.
Entrepreneurship and Fashion
In 2019, Brown launched Florence by Mills, a makeup and skincare brand available at Boots, Walmart, and Shoppers Drug Mart, designed for Gen Z with a focus on clean beauty. Part of its proceeds supports the Olivia Hope Foundation for childhood cancer research. In 2022, she introduced Florence by Mills Coffee, expanding her entrepreneurial footprint. Brown’s fashion ventures include modeling for Calvin Klein’s “By Appointment” campaign (2017), Moncler (2018), and Louis Vuitton, where she became an ambassador in 2022. She signed with IMG Models at 13 and has graced covers of Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, earning praise for her bold style.
Advocacy and Personal Life
In 2018, Brown became the youngest-ever UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for children’s rights and anti-bullying through campaigns like #GoBlue. She uses her platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and mental health, often sharing her experiences with online harassment, which led her to deactivate her Twitter account in 2018 after a harmful meme campaign. Her Millie Bobby Brown Foundation supports anti-bullying and youth welfare initiatives.
Brown married Jake Bongiovi, son of Jon Bon Jovi, in May 2024 in Tuscany, adopting the name Millie Bonnie Brown Bongiovi. The couple, engaged since April 2023, has been a Hollywood favorite, with Brown citing Bon Jovi’s “Runaway” as her favorite song, playfully noting its “foreshadowing” of her marriage. Previously, she dated singer Jacob Sartorius (2017–2018) and rugby player Joseph Robinson (2019–2020). Brown splits her time between London and Atlanta, remains close to her family, including siblings Paige, Charlie, and Ava, and is an avid Liverpool FC fan. She practices Muay Thai boxing and shares her love for animals on social media.
What This Means for Fans
Millie Bobby Brown’s journey from a hearing-impaired child in Marbella to a multifaceted star is a testament to her talent and tenacity. At 21, she’s not only a celebrated actress but a producer, entrepreneur, and advocate, inspiring millions. As she prepares for Stranger Things’ final season and new ventures like The Electric State, her legacy is just beginning. Fans can follow her journey through Nineteen Steps (2023), her debut novel based on her family’s history, support Florence by Mills, or engage with her UNICEF work, witnessing a star whose influence transcends entertainment.