Laura Vandervoort

Laura Vandervoort is a Canadian actress best known for bringing iconic genre characters to life on television. She earned international recognition as Kara Zor-El, better known as Supergirl, on The CW's Smallville from 2007 to 2011, becoming the first actress to play the role in live-action since 1984. She also starred as the world's only female werewolf, Elena Michaels, in the Space channel drama Bitten (2014-2016), and played Lisa in the ABC sci-fi series V (2009-2011). With a career spanning over two decades, Vandervoort has built a loyal fanbase through her work in fantasy, horror, and thriller genres. She continues to act in film and television, and in 2025 launched a podcast, The Vandervoort Files, where she interviews industry peers. Known for her athleticism and down-to-earth personality, she is a black belt in karate, a vegan, and an advocate for animal rights.[edit]

Laura Vandervoort grew up in Maple, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto, with her parents and younger sister. She started acting at age seven in a local theatre production of The Nutcracker. A disciplined child, she earned a black belt in shotokan karate by thirteen and trained in gymnastics, dance, and piano. She attended Earl Haig Secondary School, a well-known arts school in Toronto, which nurtured her performing ambitions. Her first on-screen role came in 2000 with a guest spot on the Canadian series Twice in a Lifetime. She followed with small parts on The Zack Files and Doc before landing her first major break: the role of Sadie Harrison on the CTV teen drama Instant Star in 2004. The show ran for four seasons and gave her significant exposure in Canada.[edit]

Vandervoort's big breakthrough came in 2007 when she was cast as Kara Zor-El, Supergirl, on Smallville. Her portrayal across seasons 7, 8, and 10 made her a fan favorite and a landmark figure in superhero television. In 2009, she joined the cast of ABC's V, a reboot of the 1980s miniseries, playing Lisa for two seasons. She then took on darker roles: Arla Cogan in Syfy's Haven (2012) and the lead in Bitten (2014-2016), where she played Elena Michaels, a werewolf navigating a secret world. The show developed a cult following. She appeared in the horror film Jigsaw (2017) and had guest roles on The Handmaid's Tale and Killjoys. Throughout the 2020s, she starred in numerous Lifetime television movies, including The Wrong Mr. Right (2021) and The Christmas Ring (2022). In 2025, she launched her podcast The Vandervoort Files. As of 2026, she is set to appear in the thriller The Driver and the supernatural series The Northwood.[edit]

Vandervoort is widely regarded as a genre queen, known for her athletic build and commitment to physically demanding roles. Her style is modern and casual, often featuring activewear, and she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her workouts and sets on social media. Fans, who call themselves Vandervoortians or Vandiekins, create fan art and fiction centered on her Smallville and Bitten characters. She engages warmly with followers through Instagram live sessions and convention appearances. The media praises her down-to-earth personality and dedication to her craft. Her social media voice is approachable and authentic, mixing professional updates with personal posts about her rescue dog Kona, vegan recipes, and fitness tips.[edit]

Laura Vandervoort commands a dedicated following rooted primarily in the enduring legacy of her genre work rather than a singular, monolithic fanbase. Her audience operates largely within the broader communities of *Smallville* and *V*, where her portrayals of Kara Zor-El and Lisa remain defining touchstones for sci-fi enthusiasts. Unlike actors with massive, organized cult followings that maintain specific collective monikers or fund elaborate campaigns, Vandervoort's supporters engage through convention appearances such as the Salute to Smallville 2026 and direct interaction on social media platforms. Recent years have seen her pivot toward Hallmark productions, attracting viewers drawn to her holiday filmography, yet this demographic shift has not coalesced into a distinct, named fandom separate from her established television roots. The cultural mythology surrounding her career is anchored by her definitive turn as Supergirl, a performance that sparked decades of debate regarding casting before the character received her own series. In 2026, personal disclosures regarding a miscarriage added a layer of emotional resonance to her public narrative, transforming her image from a genre icon to a figure of resilience and openness. These moments of vulnerability generated significant engagement, reinforcing the connection between the actress and her long-standing audience without necessitating formalized rituals or fan-funded projects. Despite her two-decade career and international recognition, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list).[edit]

Laura Vandervoort earned a black belt in shotokan karate at age 13 and was a competitive gymnast before choosing acting. She is a trained pianist and guitarist, a licensed scuba diver, and owns a rescue dog named Kona. A vegan and animal rights advocate, she once turned down a role in the Twilight series due to scheduling conflicts with Smallville. Her cultural mythology is anchored to her performance as Kara Kent, which sparked enduring debate regarding her casting before the character received a solo series. In July 2026, she publicly shared a story of vulnerability regarding a miscarriage, detailing the loss after hearing her baby's heartbeat twice. This revelation was covered extensively by major outlets, marking a significant moment of connection with her audience. Additionally, she has become a staple in the Hallmark Christmas movie circuit, starring in films such as Melt My Heart This Christmas and Christmas by the Spoonful.[edit]

Vandervoort has a younger sister and is close with her parents, who supported her acting career from a young age. Her father is of Dutch descent, and her mother has English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. She grew up in Maple, Ontario. As of 2026, she lives in Toronto with her rescue dog Kona. She does not have children and is not married.[edit]

Vandervoort has frequently collaborated with Victor Webster, her co-star in Bitten and former fiancé. On Smallville, she worked alongside Tom Welling and Callum Blue. She shared the screen with Morena Baccarin and Elizabeth Mitchell in V. In Bitten, her co-stars included Greyston Holt and Greg Bryk. She appeared with Tobin Bell in Jigsaw.[edit]

Vandervoort dated British actor and model Oliver Trevena from 2010 to 2011. She then had a relationship with Canadian actor Jonathan Cherry, known for Final Destination 2, from 2012 to 2013. In 2014, she met actor Victor Webster on the set of Bitten, where they played love interests. They began dating and became engaged in 2015, but split amicably in 2017, calling off the engagement. She dated actor Andrew Dunbar from 2018 to 2019. In 2020-2021, she was linked to actor Jesse Hutch after they co-starred in The Wrong Mr. Right, though neither confirmed the relationship publicly. As of 2026, Vandervoort is single and focused on her career. She has no children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Laura Vandervoort's estimated net worth is $3.5 Million. Her primary income source has been television acting. She earned approximately $50,000 to $75,000 per episode for her lead role on Bitten (33 episodes), $40,000 to $60,000 per episode for V (22 episodes), and $30,000 to $50,000 per episode for Smallville (10 episodes). Her role in the film Jigsaw paid an estimated $100,000 to $150,000. Lifetime television movies typically pay $75,000 to $125,000 per project. She has also earned from brand partnerships with L'Oréal Paris, Reebok, and Ford Canada, each campaign bringing $50,000 to $100,000. In 2026, she purchased a condominium in Toronto's Yorkville neighbourhood for $850,000 CAD, now valued at approximately $1.1 million CAD. She founded Vandervoort Productions in 2019, which has produced one independent short film. Her net worth has grown steadily through consistent work and smart real estate investment.[edit]

Vandervoort has won three major Canadian industry awards. She won a Gemini Award in 2010 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for V. In 2011, she received a Leo Award in the same category for V. In 2015, she won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for Bitten.[edit]