Cobie Smulders is a Canadian actress best known for playing Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother and Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She also battled ovarian cancer at age 25 and has since become an advocate for cancer awareness.

Birthdate: April 3, 1982 | Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Known for: Robin Scherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother | Ovarian cancer diagnosis: 2007 | Spouse: Taran Killam | Number of children: 2

Personal Life

  • Born April 3, 1982, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Wikipedia)
  • Married to Taran Killam since 2012 (Wikipedia)
  • Two daughters (Wikipedia)

Health

  • Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2007 (Wikipedia)
  • Surgery and recovery (Wikipedia)
  • Cancer survivor and advocate (Wikipedia)

Career Highlights

  • How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014) (Wikipedia)
  • Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers films, 2012–2023) (Wikipedia)
  • Lincoln Lawyer (2011) (Wikipedia)

Quick Facts

  • Full name: Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders (Wikipedia)
  • Nationality: Canadian (Wikipedia)
  • Years active: 2002–present (Wikipedia)
Key Facts
Label Value Source
Full name Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders Wikipedia
Date of birth April 3, 1982 Wikipedia
Place of birth Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Wikipedia
Nationality Canadian Wikipedia
Occupation Actress, model Wikipedia
Years active 2002–present Wikipedia
Spouse Taran Killam (m. 2012) Wikipedia
Children 2 Wikipedia
Role known for Robin Scherbatsky, Maria Hill Wikipedia

What illness did Cobie Smulders have?

Cobie Smulders was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, when she was 25 years old. She underwent surgery to remove tumors and has been in remission since then.

Ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment

Smulders discovered the cancer during a routine check-up. She had surgery and later described the experience as life-changing. She has been cancer-free for over a decade. (Wikipedia)

Impact on career and advocacy

The diagnosis forced her to take time off from How I Met Your Mother during its third season. She later became an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness, speaking publicly about the importance of early detection. (Wikipedia)

The implication: Smulders transformed a personal health crisis into a platform for advocacy, raising awareness of ovarian cancer in young women.

Are Cobie Smulders and her co-stars friends in real life?

Smulders has maintained close friendships with several of her How I Met Your Mother co-stars, as confirmed by public statements.

Friendship with Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris has publicly expressed having a “talent crush” on Cobie Smulders, calling her one of the funniest people he knows. The two remain friends. (Wikipedia)

Friendship with Alyson Hannigan

Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders are close friends off-screen, often sharing photos together on social media. (Wikipedia)

Friendship with Jason Segel

Jason Segel and Smulders have also stayed in touch, with Segel praising her comedic timing. (Wikipedia)

The pattern: Smulders built lasting friendships on set, reflecting the ensemble chemistry that made How I Met Your Mother a success.

What is Cobie Smulders’ background and family?

Smulders was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to a Dutch father and an English mother.

Ethnicity and nationality

She is Canadian, with a mixed European background. Her father is Dutch, and her mother is English. (IMDb Biography)

Parents and upbringing

Smulders grew up in Vancouver and attended high school there, graduating with honors in 2000. She spoke French and lived in Paris as a teenager. (TV Guide)

Husband and children

She married actor Taran Killam in 2012. They have two daughters together. (Wikipedia)

What this means: Smulders’ multicultural background and early exposure to modeling shaped her path to acting, while her family life grounded her.

Who is Cobie Smulders’ husband?

Smulders married comedian and actor Taran Killam in 2012. Killam is best known for his work on Saturday Night Live.

Marriage to Taran Killam

The couple met in 2009 and wed in 2012. They have two daughters. (Wikipedia)

Family life

Smulders and Killam keep their family life relatively private but occasionally share glimpses on social media. (Wikipedia)

The catch: Balancing a high-profile career with family life, Smulders has managed to keep her marriage stable despite the pressures of Hollywood.

What are Cobie Smulders’ notable movies and TV shows?

Smulders built her career on a mix of television and film, with standout roles in both mediums.

How I Met Your Mother

Smulders played Robin Scherbatsky from 2005 to 2014. The role made her a household name. (Wikipedia)

Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers)

She portrayed S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill, starting with The Avengers (2012) and continuing through Secret Invasion (2023). (Wikipedia)

Lincoln Lawyer

Smulders appeared in the 2011 film Lincoln Lawyer as a supporting character. (Wikipedia)

Other filmography

Early credits include Special Unit 2 and Jeremiah. Her first big break was Veritas: The Quest in 2003. (IMDb Biography)

What this means: Smulders’ ability to move from sitcom to blockbuster franchise demonstrates versatility and enduring appeal.

Timeline of Key Events

  • 1982: Born in Vancouver, British Columbia (Wikipedia)
  • 2002: Began acting career (IMDb Biography)
  • 2005: Cast as Robin Scherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother (Wikipedia)
  • 2007: Diagnosed with ovarian cancer (Wikipedia)
  • 2012: Married Taran Killam (Wikipedia)
  • 2014: First child born (Wikipedia)
  • 2015: Debuted as Maria Hill in Avengers: Age of Ultron (Wikipedia)
  • 2017: Second child born (Wikipedia)
  • 2019: Appeared in Avengers: Endgame (Wikipedia)

Smulders’ ability to maintain a thriving career while raising a family and overcoming a serious illness is a testament to her resilience.

For more on health struggles of other actresses, read Christina Applegate MS: Health, Net Worth & Life Expectancy.

When discussing cancer diagnoses, always rely on verified sources. Smulders herself has stressed the importance of accurate medical information.

Related reading: **Christina Applegate MS: Health, Net Worth & Life Expectancy** · **Morena Baccarin: Children, Ethnicity, Career & Net Worth Guide**

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cobie Smulders’ net worth?

Estimates vary, but her net worth is reported to be around $30 million, accumulated from her acting career.

How did Cobie Smulders get into acting?

She started as a model in her teens, then moved to acting after high school. Her first major role was in Veritas: The Quest.

Did Cobie Smulders win any awards for her acting?

She has received several nominations, including a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actress, but has not won major industry awards.

What is Cobie Smulders’ role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

She plays S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill, appearing in The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the TV series Secret Invasion.

Is Cobie Smulders currently active on social media?

Yes, she is active on Instagram and Twitter, where she shares updates about her life and projects.

Does Cobie Smulders have any upcoming projects?

As of now, she has no announced upcoming projects, but she remains active in the industry.

How tall is Cobie Smulders?

She is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall.

Is Cobie Smulders half English?

Yes, her mother is English, and her father is Dutch.

Are Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders friends in real life?

Yes, they are close friends and often spend time together outside of work.

Who fathered Neil Patrick Harris’ twins?

Neil Patrick Harris and his husband David Burtka have twins via surrogacy; this is unrelated to Smulders.