Emily Bett Rickards
She turned a one-episode tech guest spot into the emotional core of the Arrowverse, winning a generation of fans with her wit and heart.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Canadian actress·Birthday: July 24·Millennials
Biography
Emily Bett Rickards arrived in Starling City almost by accident. Hired for a single episode of 'Arrow' as a tech-savvy IT girl, her immediate chemistry with the cast and her nuanced portrayal of Felicity Smoak rewrote the show's DNA. The character, initially a minor figure, became a fan favorite and was swiftly promoted to series regular, then to the show's central romantic lead. As the Arrowverse expanded, Rickards' Felicity became its connective tissue, appearing across multiple series and grounding the superhero drama with relatable humor, vulnerability, and fierce intelligence. Her performance defined a new kind of female character in the genre: one whose power came from a keyboard and her unwavering moral compass. After leaving the series, Rickards has pursued independent film work, stepping out from the long shadow of the bunker to explore new creative territory.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Emily was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Emily Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Emily's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Transformed the character of Felicity Smoak from a one-episode guest role into a lead on 'Arrow' for seven seasons.
- Became a central, recurring character across the interconnected 'Arrowverse' shows on The CW.
- Won the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress: Action in 2016 for her role on 'Arrow.'
- Directed an episode of 'Arrow' in its final season.
Did You Know?
She is a trained dancer and studied at the Arts Umbrella dance program in Vancouver.
She is fluent in English and French.
Her first name 'Bett' is a family name from her mother's side.
She is an advocate for mental health awareness and environmental causes.
“I think Felicity is a very strong woman, and she's strong because she's vulnerable.”
