Laura Dianne Vandervoort was born on September 22, 1984, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From a young age, she was involved in various sports, including football, karate (achieving a second-degree black belt), basketball, tennis, and gymnastics. A back injury curtailed her athletic pursuits, leading her to focus on acting.
Vandervoort’s acting career began with background work on Canadian television shows. Her first speaking role was in the Canadian children’s series, “Goosebumps.” She continued to act in various Canadian TV shows and films, gradually building her resume.
Vandervoort gained significant recognition for her role as Sadie Harrison in the Canadian teen drama series “Instant Star” (2004-2008). This role helped establish her as a prominent young actress. Her international breakthrough came with her portrayal of Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in the seventh season of the American television series “Smallville” (2007-2008). This role significantly increased her visibility among a wider audience. She also reprised the role in the Arrowverse crossover event “Crisis on Infinite Earths” (2019).
Following “Smallville,” Vandervoort secured leading roles in several television series and films. She starred as Lisa in the ABC science fiction series “V” (2009-2011), a remake of the 1980s series of the same name. She went on to play Elena Michaels, the world’s only female werewolf, in the Space/Syfy series “Bitten” (2014-2016), which ran for three seasons.