Emma Bolger (born 5 January 1996^{[citation needed]} in Dublin) is an Irish actress^[1] who first gained notability as a child actress in the role of Ariel in the Jim Sheridan film In America.

At the age of seven, in 2002, Bolger became known for her role in Jim Sheridan's autobiographical movie In America, in which she starred with her older sister Sarah.^[2][3] Emma, having already won a part in the film, urged the director, Jim Sheridan, to take a look at her sister.^[4] She played Ariel, daughter of poor Irish immigrants who land in New York City in the 1980s.

For her role in the film Emma was awarded a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Actress Age Ten or Younger.^[5] and won Iowa Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress.^[6] She also received nominations for Chicago Film Critics Awards for Most Promising Performer,^[7] Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards for Best Young Actor/Actress,^[8] Gold Derby Film Awards for Breakthrough Performance,^[9]Satellite Awards for Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama, ^[10] and others. She was also nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, with Laura Weinert writing that "Emma Bolger brings a startling freshness and lack of self-consciousness. We are continually surprised by the truth in her performance-she is never cloying, never too cute for the film's own good".^[11]

She later starred as title character in the 2005 film Heidi, based on classic children's story,^[12] alongside Max Von Sydow as Grandfather and Diana Rigg as Grandmamma.^[13][14] Bolger played Heidi, young orphan rejected by a cruel aunt and sent from the city to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps.^[15] Bolger went for an audition in London and few days later learned that she got part in the film. During the shooting of the film she was accompanied by her mother, Muriel, and a Welsh tutor.^[16] Andrea Beach in the review for Common Sense Media wrote that "Emma Bolger as Heidi is engaging and her performance is fine for someone so young". Stella Papamichael in her review for BBC called her performance "spirited".^[17]

She also had role in Colin Farrell crime comedy Intermission.^[16]

While her sister and co-star Sarah continued a successful acting career, Bolger gave up acting in favour of academic pursuits.^[18]

• 2002: In America^[1]
• 2003: Intermission
• 2004: Proof (TV, 4 Episodes)
• 2005: Heidi
• 2006: The Snow Prince