Claire Holt

Claire Rhiannon Holt is an Australian-American actress born on June 11, 1988, in Brisbane, Australia. She first gained international recognition for her role as Emma Gilbert in the fantasy series H2O: Just Add Water, which aired from 2006 to 2008. Holt then moved to the United States, where she appeared in Mean Girls 2 and Pretty Little Liars before landing her most iconic role as Rebekah Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries in 2011. She continued this character in the spin-off The Originals from 2013 to 2018, and later reprised it in Legacies (2021–2022).

Beyond the supernatural universe, Holt starred in the NBC crime drama Aquarius (2015–2016) and the thriller 47 Meters Down (2017). She also executive produced and starred in Untitled Horror Movie (2021). Known for her warm and down-to-earth persona, Holt has become a beloved figure among fans of the Vampire Diaries franchise. As of 2026, she has stepped back from acting to focus on raising her three children with husband Andrew Joblon. [edit]

Claire Holt grew up in Brisbane, Australia, the middle child in a family of four kids. Her father Geoffrey worked in construction and her mother Ann was a homemaker. Holt attended Stuartholme School, a Catholic girls' school in Toowong, where she sang in the choir and played a range of sports including swimming, volleyball, and water polo. She also trained in Tae-Kwon-Do and earned a black belt.

In first grade, Holt was diagnosed with ADHD, a fact she has spoken about openly in interviews. Despite this, she excelled academically and initially planned to become a doctor. Acting came about almost by accident: she started doing commercials for extra money, appearing in ads for Dreamworld theme park, Sizzler Restaurant, and Queensland Surf Lifesaving. Holt graduated from Stuartholme in 2005, and in 2006 she auditioned for a new Network Ten series called H2O: Just Add Water. She won the role of Emma Gilbert, one of three teenage girls who turn into mermaids, and the show became a hit in Australia and internationally. [edit]

Holt's breakthrough came with H2O: Just Add Water, which earned her a Logie Award and a Nickelodeon Australia Kids' Choice Award. She left the show after its second series in 2008 to pursue opportunities abroad, signing on for Messengers 2: The Scarecrow, a straight-to-DVD sequel filmed in Bulgaria. In 2011, she appeared in Mean Girls 2 and the first two seasons of Pretty Little Liars as Samara Cook.

That same year, Holt joined The Vampire Diaries as Rebekah Mikaelson, an original vampire with a complex history. The role became her most recognizable, and she carried it into the spin-off The Originals from 2013 to 2018. In 2015, she played a police officer in the NBC drama Aquarius, set in 1960s Los Angeles. Her film work includes Blue Like Jazz (2012) and 47 Meters Down (2017), a survival thriller opposite Mandy Moore. In 2021, Holt executive produced and starred in Untitled Horror Movie, a comedy-horror shot entirely on webcams during the pandemic. She also made guest appearances in Legacies in 2021 and 2022. Since then, Holt has taken a step back from acting, focusing on her family and her lifestyle website, thecornerbyclaire.com. [edit]

Claire Holt is often described as a "get-what-you-see kind of girl" by those who work with her. She built a loyal fanbase through her portrayal of Rebekah Mikaelson, a character fans loved for her fierce yet vulnerable nature. Holt's social media presence is a mix of behind-the-scenes moments, family snapshots, and wellness tips. She has been open about her struggles with anxiety and has used her platform to encourage self-care. Her style is casual and effortless, often seen in jeans and a simple tee. Fans appreciate her authenticity and her willingness to engage with them directly, whether through Q&As or heartfelt posts. [edit]

Claire Holt stands as the 6th most famous person in Dramas, a position she has held steady within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This placement reflects her enduring resonance with audiences who have followed her journey from Australian child star to supernatural icon. Her influence extends beyond mere viewership numbers; it is built on a decade of consistent presence in genre-defining television that continues to draw new generations into the fold.

While some franchises boast organized armies with specific names, Claire Holt's fanbase remains an organic, decentralized community. There is no single formal title for her supporters, who instead identify through their shared love for characters like Emma Gilbert and Rebekah Mikaelson. These fans are deeply embedded in the broader H2O: Just Add Water and The Vampire Diaries universes rather than operating as a distinct entity named after Holt herself. Their engagement is characterized by genuine appreciation for her work and personal updates rather than structured campaigns or fan-funded projects.

Recent years have added new layers to her public narrative, particularly her pivot away from acting to focus on family and entrepreneurship. Stories of her children reacting to her early work have become a touching point of connection for long-time followers. The launch of her fashion brand, Saint Sirène, further cemented her status as a cultural figure who successfully transitions between industries while maintaining a loyal following that values her authenticity over celebrity spectacle.[edit]

Beyond her acting credits, Claire Holt holds a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, a discipline she credits with aiding her stunt work throughout her career. Diagnosed with ADHD in first grade, she has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, often discussing her own experiences to encourage self-care among her followers. In her downtime, she enjoys surfing and has developed a keen passion for interior design, frequently sharing her favorite café spots with her audience due to her well-known love for coffee.

Before her career took flight, she worked as a waitress in Australia, a humble chapter that contrasts sharply with her later fame. A notable modern legend surrounding her involves her reaction to her children watching her old work; she shared hilarious anecdotes about their responses to seeing her in H2O: Just Add Water, a moment that resonated deeply with fans. Additionally, her decision to step back from the industry to prioritize motherhood and launch her fashion brand, Saint Sirène, has become a defining story of her recent life, marking a graceful evolution from child star to entrepreneur.[edit]

Claire Holt's parents are Geoffrey and Ann Holt. She has two brothers, David and James, and one sister, Madeline. The family was close-knit, and Holt has described her childhood as happy and active. She married real estate executive Andrew Joblon in August 2018, and the couple has three children: sons James (born March 2019) and Ford (born November 2023), and daughter Elle (born September 2020). The family splits time between Los Angeles and Australia. Holt often shares glimpses of her home life on Instagram, showing her kids and her love for family traditions. [edit]

Holt has worked with several notable actors, including Mandy Moore in 47 Meters Down, Norman Reedus in Messengers 2: The Scarecrow, and Heather Stephens in the same film. She also starred alongside Daniel Gillies and Phoebe Tonkin in The Originals. Her husband, Andrew Joblon, is a real estate executive, and she has been friends with her Pretty Little Liars co-star Lucy Hale. [edit]

Claire Holt's dating history has been relatively private. In 2009, she dated actor Rafi Gavron, though details about their relationship are scarce. In 2016, she married television producer Matt Kaplan, but the marriage ended in divorce the same year. In December 2017, Holt got engaged to real estate executive Andrew Joblon, and they married in August 2018. The couple has three children together. As of 2026, Holt and Joblon are still married and living in Los Angeles with their family. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Claire Holt's net worth at $2 Million as of 2026. Her financial foundation was built primarily through her extensive tenure in television and film, anchored by her iconic portrayal of Rebekah Mikaelson across The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legacies. Additional revenue streams include her executive producer credit on Untitled Horror Movie and earnings from her lifestyle website, thecornerbyclaire.com. Although specific salary figures remain private, her consistent work in network dramas and feature films like 47 Meters Down has sustained her wealth. Following her departure from regular acting roles, she has cultivated income through strategic brand partnerships and sponsored social media content. This diversified approach has allowed her to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for her family in Los Angeles without relying solely on traditional acting paychecks.[edit]