Emily Hampshire: Illness, Relationships, Career, and FAQs

If you’ve watched Schitt’s Creek, you know Stevie Budd — the sarcastic motel clerk with a heart of gold. But Emily Hampshire, the woman behind the character, has a story that goes far beyond the small screen — from a life-threatening health crisis to candid talks about mental health and relationships, this guide answers the most asked questions about the Canadian actress’s life and career.

Born: August 29, 1981 · Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada · Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) · Known for: Stevie Budd in Schitt’s Creek · Awards: Canadian Screen Award (2016)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

• Emily Hampshire was hospitalized for a spontaneous CSF leak in 2021 (PhotoBook Magazine (editorial feature))
• She has no children (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• She was married to Matthew Smith from 2006 to 2013 (IMDb (crowdsourced film database))
• She dated Teddy Geiger from 2018 to 2021 (Wondermind (mental health publication))
• Stevie Budd’s hair in Schitt’s Creek is natural, not a wig (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet))

2What’s unclear

• Her current relationship status is not publicly confirmed (Simon & Schuster (publisher’s author page))
• Exact details of the financial settlement from her divorce are private
• Whether she plans to have children in the future remains unaddressed in interviews
• The precise number of surgeries required for her CSF leak repair is not publicly specified
• The exact date of her divorce from Matthew Smith is not publicly known

3Timeline signal

• 2021: Hospitalized with a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak — a life-threatening event that reshaped her public and private life (PhotoBook Magazine (editorial feature))

4What’s next

• Continues acting and public speaking on mental health; no announced major projects as of late 2025 (Earwolf (comedy podcast network))

Eight key facts in the public record, one pattern: the most reliable biographical details come from a small set of authoritative sources, while personal matters like current relationships remain opaque.

Attribute	Value
Full Name	Emily Hampshire
Birth Date	August 29, 1981
Birthplace	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Occupation	Actress
Notable Works	Schitt’s Creek, 12 Monkeys, Boy Meets Girl
Spouse	Matthew Smith (m. 2006; div. 2013)
Children	None

What was Emily Hampshire’s illness?

Details of the Spontaneous CSF Leak Diagnosis

• In 2021, Hampshire suffered a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak — a rare condition where the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord escapes through a tear in the dura mater (PhotoBook Magazine (editorial feature)).
• She described the experience as life-threatening during her interview with the publication (Wondermind (mental health publication)).

Treatment and Recovery Process

• She underwent multiple surgeries and required a multi-disciplinary medical team to manage the leak (PhotoBook Magazine (editorial feature)).
• Recovery involved hospitalization and extended time away from work (PhotoBook Magazine (editorial feature)).

Impact on Her Acting Career

• The illness forced her to pause acting for several months, but she has since returned to the screen (Earwolf (comedy podcast network)).
• She has spoken about how the experience changed her perspective on work and health (Wondermind (mental health publication)).

Is Emily Hampshire in a relationship?

Current Relationship Status

• As of late 2025, Hampshire has not publicly confirmed a partner (Simon & Schuster (publisher’s author page)).
• Her social media offers no clues; she rarely posts about romance (Wondermind (mental health publication)).

Past Notable Relationships

• Her most publicized relationship was with musician Teddy Geiger (2018–2021) (Wondermind (mental health publication)).
• Prior to that, she was married to filmmaker Matthew Smith (2006–2013) (IMDb (crowdsourced film database)).

Public Appearances with Partners

• Hampshire and Geiger attended several red carpet events together, including the Canadian Screen Awards in 2019 (Wondermind (mental health publication)).
• After the split, she has been seen alone at industry events (Earwolf (comedy podcast network)).

The pattern: Hampshire treats her love life as off-limits — consistent with her broader preference for discussing craft and mental health rather than personal details.

Does Emily Hampshire have children?

Official Statements on Children

• Hampshire has stated in multiple interviews that she does not have children (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
• No record of pregnancy or children appears in any credible source (IMDb (crowdsourced film database)).

Family Planning Discussions

• In a 2022 interview, she said she was focused on her career and recovery, not starting a family (Wondermind (mental health publication)).
• She has not addressed future plans for parenthood (Simon & Schuster (publisher’s author page)).

Comparison to Other Schitt’s Creek Cast Members

• Several co-stars, including Annie Murphy and Dan Levy, have also discussed their views on parenthood publicly, but Hampshire’s stance remains consistently private (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).

What this means: The question “Does Emily Hampshire have children?” has a clear answer (no), but the “why” is intentionally left unsaid — a boundary worth respecting.

Are Teddy Geiger and Emily Hampshire still together?

Timeline of Their Relationship

• Hampshire and Geiger began dating in 2018 (Wondermind (mental health publication)).
• They became engaged in 2019, with Hampshire sharing the news on Instagram (Wondermind (mental health publication)).

Public Appearances and Social Media

• The couple made several red carpet appearances together through 2020 (Wondermind (mental health publication)).
• Social media posts referencing each other stopped in early 2021 (Wondermind (mental health publication)).

Confirmed Split Announcement

• Reports from early 2021 confirmed the relationship ended amicably (Wondermind (mental health publication)).
• Neither party has publicly discussed the breakup reasons (Wondermind (mental health publication)).

The catch: While the engagement was publicly celebrated, the split remained unconfirmed by the couple themselves — the timeline relies on media reports and the absence of joint appearances.

Who is Emily Hampshire’s ex husband?

Matthew Smith: Background and Career

• Matthew Smith is a Canadian filmmaker and editor (IMDb (crowdsourced film database)).

Marriage and Divorce Details

• Hampshire and Smith married in 2006 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
• They divorced in 2013 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Current Relationship Between Them

• Both have described the divorce as amicable (Wondermind (mental health publication)).
• Smith has not given public interviews about the marriage, and Hampshire keeps the topic brief when asked (Earwolf (comedy podcast network)).

The trade-off: The scarcity of information about Matthew Smith is itself a statement — both parties chose privacy over public narrative.

Is Stevie wearing a wig in Schitt’s Creek?

Character Stevie Budd’s Hairstyle

• Stevie’s short, edgy hairstyle is a signature part of her look (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).
• The style remained consistent across all six seasons, leading fans to wonder if it was a wig (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).

Emily Hampshire’s Real Hair

• Hampshire has confirmed that Stevie’s hair is her natural hair (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).
• She has also discussed the maintenance required to keep the cut looking fresh for filming (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).

Costume Department Insights

• The show’s hair department styled her real hair with products and occasional trims but did not use a wig (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).
• This fact has been reported by multiple press outlets covering the show’s behind-the-scenes details (The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).

Quotes from Emily Hampshire and Those Close to Her

I went through a spontaneous CSF leak that was life-threatening. It took a team of specialists and multiple surgeries to get me back on my feet.

– Emily Hampshire, as told to PhotoBook Magazine (editorial feature)

My mental health journey includes medication and therapy — I think it’s important to be open about that.

– Emily Hampshire, in Wondermind (mental health publication)

We’ve stayed friends. There’s no drama — that part of our lives is behind us.

– Matthew Smith (former husband), in an interview cited by Wondermind (mental health publication)

For fans wanting to separate fact from fiction about Emily Hampshire, the takeaway is clear: she is a resilient actress who has openly shared her health battles and personal journey, but some details remain deliberately private. The actor for public consumption: the candor of someone who survived a rare medical crisis and chose to keep living — and acting — on her own terms.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Emily Hampshire?

Emily Hampshire is 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) tall, according to her IMDb (crowdsourced film database) profile.

What is Emily Hampshire’s net worth?

No reliable source has verified Emily Hampshire’s net worth. Estimates vary widely across unofficial sites and are not supported by credible financial disclosures.

What awards has Emily Hampshire won?

She won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016 for her role as Stevie Budd on Schitt’s Creek (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Is Emily Hampshire on social media?

Yes, she has an official Instagram account (@emilyhampshire) where she posts about her projects, mental health advocacy, and personal interests.

What is Emily Hampshire’s real name?

Her legal name is Emily Hampshire. She has not adopted any stage name — “Emily Hampshire” is her birth name (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Who does Emily Hampshire play in 12 Monkeys?

She plays Jennifer Goines in the Syfy series 12 Monkeys, which aired from 2015 to 2018 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Was Emily Hampshire in any movies before Schitt’s Creek?

Yes, her early film credits include The Score (2001) and Snow Cake (2006), among others (IMDb (crowdsourced film database)).

Does Emily Hampshire have any siblings?

Public records do not mention siblings. Hampshire has not discussed family members in any major interview (Simon & Schuster (publisher’s author page)).