Jacoba Francisca Maria “Cobie” Smulders was born on April 3, 1982, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She grew up in a family with Dutch and British roots and was named after her great-aunt. Smulders was initially interested in becoming a doctor or a marine biologist but turned to acting during high school, where she participated in several school productions. She graduated from Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver.
Career Beginnings
Smulders began her career as a model but found the experience unfulfilling, which made her hesitant to pursue acting. However, she made her acting debut in 2002 with guest appearances in television series such as “Jeremiah,” “Special Unit 2,” and “Tru Calling.” Her first regular television role came with the short-lived series “Veritas: The Quest” in 2003. She made her film debut in 2004 with a supporting role in “Walking Tall”.
Rise to Fame
Smulders’ major breakthrough came in 2005 when she was cast as Robin Scherbatsky in the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” The series ran until 2014, making her a household name. During the peak of the show’s popularity, Smulders earned $225,000 per episode.
In addition to her television success, Smulders gained significant recognition for her role as Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). She first appeared as Hill in “The Avengers” (2012) and reprised the role in several other MCU films, including “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame,” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” She also appeared in three episodes of the series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”.
Notable Works
Television:
- “How I Met Your Mother” (2005-2014): Robin Scherbatsky
- “Friends from College” (2017-2019): Lisa Turner
- “A Series of Unfortunate Events” (2017-2019): Mother
- “Stumptown” (2019-2020): Dex Parios
Films:
- “The Avengers” (2012) and other MCU films: Maria Hill
- “Safe Haven” (2013)
- “Delivery Man” (2013)
- “They Came Together” (2014)
- “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (2016)
- “The Lego Movie” (2014) and “The Lego Movie 2” (2019): Voice of Wonder Woman.
Personal Life
Cobie Smulders married actor and comedian Taran Killam on September 8, 2012. The couple has two daughters, Shaelyn Cado Killam and Janita Mae Killam. Smulders has been open about her battle with ovarian cancer, diagnosed at the age of 25. She underwent multiple surgeries and announced she was in remission in 2019.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Cobie Smulders’ net worth is estimated to be around $25 million. This wealth has been accumulated through her successful acting career in television and film, particularly from her roles in “How I Met Your Mother” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her earnings from “How I Met Your Mother” alone amounted to approximately $225,000 per episode during the show’s peak.
Cobie Smulders’ career is marked by significant roles in both television and film, showcasing her versatility as an actress. From her breakout role in “How I Met Your Mother” to her ongoing success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Smulders has established herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. With a substantial net worth and a diverse portfolio of roles, she continues to be a respected and admired actress.