Emily Wagner's early life was marked by her beginnings in the world of acting at the tender age of six, when she joined the theatrical troupe The Merry Mini Players as its youngest member. This early exposure to the stage would lay the foundation for a lifelong passion for the craft. Her childhood and teenage years were spent honing her skills, eventually leading to her starring role in the cult 1980s NBC/PBS series High Feather, which premiered in 1980.
As she entered adulthood, Emily's focus shifted from acting to academics, as she enrolled at Vassar College to pursue a rigorous education. During her time at Vassar, she not only graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art History and Fine Art but also discovered a newfound passion for creative writing. This newfound interest led her to write short stories and plays, laying the groundwork for a future career in writing and directing.
After completing her education, Emily relocated to Los Angeles, where she began to write, produce, and star in films alongside her brother, Andrew Wagner, and Academy Award-nominated writer/actress/director Julie Delpy. Their collaborations resulted in a string of successful festival runs, cementing Emily's reputation as a talented and versatile performer.
Her breakout role came when she was cast as paramedic Doris Pickman on the long-running television series ER, a role she would play for the entire 15-season run of the show. This stint on the popular medical drama brought her widespread recognition and acclaim.
Emily's subsequent work has been met with critical acclaim, with standout performances in Andrew Wagner's The Talent Given Us, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007, and Chronic Town, a 2008 Sundance selection that featured an impressive cast, including Garry Marshall and Paul Dooley. More recently, she appeared in Todd Phillips' Due Date, alongside Robert Downey Jr., and Julie Delpy's 2 Days in New York, which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
In 2021, Emily will make her debut on Netflix with Julie Delpy's series, On The Verge, in which she will play the role of Joan.
