Laura Vandervoort, the Canadian actress, has been captivating audiences with her performances in various TV series such as Instant Star, Smallville, V, and Bitten. Now, she’s taking on a new challenge with Netflix’s V Wars, a unique vampire tale that has viewers hooked. Let’s dive into the life of the actress behind the intriguing character of Mila Dubov.
A Childhood Inspiration: My Girl
Vandervoort’s passion for acting can be traced back to the 1991 classic film, My Girl. After watching the movie at the age of 12, she was so moved that she decided to pursue acting as her future career. In an interview with Naluda Magazine, she shared how the film’s emotional impact inspired her to explore the world of acting, eventually leading her to take classes and work on various children’s television series and Disney movies.
Overcoming a Life-Threatening Illness
Born and raised in Toronto, Vandervoort faced a life-threatening challenge when she contracted a severe strain of meningitis at just a few weeks old. After months of battling the illness, she made a full recovery, demonstrating her resilience from a young age.
From Child Star to Seasoned Actress
Vandervoort began her acting journey at the age of 13, starting with background work in shows like Road to Avonlea and Harriet the Spy. She landed her first speaking role in 1997 on the children’s anthology series, Goosebumps. This opportunity paved the way for her future success, and by the time she graduated high school, she had an impressive list of credits under her belt.
Sci-Fi: A Genre That Empowers Women
Although Vandervoort has worked across various genres, she is best known for her roles in sci-fi series such as Smallville, V, Bitten, Supergirl, and V-Wars. In an interview with Collider, she expressed her love for the strong, independent, and intelligent female characters often found in sci-fi, which has contributed to the genre’s popularity.
Admiration for Meryl Streep and Other Acting Greats
Like many in the acting world, Vandervoort is a huge fan of Meryl Streep. In an interview with Naluda Magazine, she also mentioned her admiration for Bette Davis and Audrey Hepburn, praising their risk-taking abilities and captivating performances.
Conquering Fears on the Set of Ted
Despite her extensive acting experience, Vandervoort still faces nerves when starting a new project. The improvisational style of the 2012 comedy film Ted, in which she starred alongside Mark Wahlberg, was particularly challenging for her. In an interview with Pop City Life, she shared how she pushed herself to adapt and thrive in the unfamiliar comedic environment.
A Martial Arts Black Belt
Before her acting career took off, Vandervoort was heavily involved in martial arts, earning her second-degree black belt by the age of 18. In an interview with Esquire, she credited her interest in the discipline to actress Kristy Swanson and the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Advocating for Animal Rights with PETA
As a passionate animal rights activist, Vandervoort has posed naked for PETA’s “Exotic Skins” campaign in 2011 and again in 2014 for an ad against keeping marine mammals in captivity.
Personal Life: Relationships and Net Worth
In 2013, Vandervoort began dating British actor and TV host Oliver Trevena, and the couple got engaged on New Year’s Eve in 2014. However, the engagement ended less than a year later. Vandervoort is currently believed to be in a relationship with producer Shawn Piller. With a successful acting career that began at a young age, Vandervoort’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
