Elisha Cuthbert
Elisha Cuthbert is a Canadian actress and model, born on November 30, 1982, in Calgary, Alberta, and raised in Montreal, Quebec. She began her career in modeling at a young age and transitioned to television at fifteen as a field correspondent for "Popular Mechanics for Kids." Cuthbert gained recognition for her role as Kim Bauer in the hit series "24," appearing in multiple seasons, which earned her nominations for Screen Actors Guild Awards. Her film work includes notable roles in "Love Actually," "The Girl Next Door," and "House of Wax," showcasing her versatility across genres from drama to comedy.
In addition to her acting career, Cuthbert has contributed to the industry as an associate producer for the film "The Quiet." She also starred in the critically acclaimed sitcom "Happy Endings," which, despite its eventual cancellation, developed a loyal fanbase. Beyond her professional endeavors, Cuthbert is known for her passion for hockey, stemming from her family's involvement in the sport. In 2013, she married NHL player Dion Phaneuf, reflecting her connection to the hockey world. Overall, Cuthbert's journey highlights her significant contributions to film and television while maintaining a deep appreciation for her Canadian roots.
Subject Terms
Elisha Cuthbert
Actor
- Born: November 30, 1982
- Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Contribution: Elisha Cuthbert is best known as an actress and former child model. She received her acting break when she was cast in the popular FOX television show 24, where she played the role of Kim Bauer. From 2011 to 2013 she appeared as Alex Kerkovich on the ABC ensemble comedy Happy Endings. She has also acted in movies such as Old School (2003), The Girl Next Door (2004), and House of Wax (2005).
Early Life and Education
Elisha Ann Cuthbert was born on November 30, 1982, in Calgary, Alberta, and grew up in Montreal, Quebec. She is the oldest of three children born to Patricia and Kevin Cuthbert. She is an avid hockey fan, both her mother and brother play hockey in Canada, and she has written a blog, “Hollywood Hockey Thoughts,” for NHL.com.
Career
Elisha Cuthbert began modeling at the age of seven and got her start on television at age fifteen. From 1997 until 2000, she was a field correspondent on the Canadian show Popular Mechanics for Kids. During this time she appeared in another children’s program, Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1999), on Nickelodeon, as well as in the movies Dancing on the Moon (1997), Nico the Unicorn (1998), Airspeed (1998), and Time at the Top (1999).
After moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career, Cuthbert appeared in several television movies. For her performance in Lucky Girl (2001), which aired on a Canadian station and then on Lifetime, she won a Gemini Award for best actress in a dramatic program or miniseries.
Beginning in 2001 Cuthbert appeared in the television thriller series 24, in which she played Kim, the daughter of Jack Bauer, a counterterrorism agent. She appeared regularly on the series for the first three seasons and returned for a few episodes in the fifth, seventh, and eighth seasons. She was among those nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Awards, in 2002 and 2004, for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series.
In 2003, Cuthbert had a minor role in the comedy Old School and then appeared in the romantic comedy Love Actually, followed by starring roles in The Girl Next Door in 2004 and House of Wax in 2005. She was the associate producer of the The Quiet in 2005, her first behind-the-scenes role. She also acted in the movies Captivity in 2007, He Was a Quiet Man in 2007, and the direct-to-DVD movie The Six Wives of Henry Lefay in 2009.
Cuthbert has been cast in the television shows HypaSpace (2007), Guns (2009), and The Forgotten (2010). She has also been a guest on many shows, such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Live with Regisand Kelly, Punk’d, The Marilyn Denis Show, The Bonnie Hunt Show, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. She was also a presenter on the 2006 MuchMusic Video Awards show.
In 2011 Cuthbert was cast in the comedy series Happy Endings on ABC (American Broadcasting Company). The single-camera sitcom featured six friends in Chicago, and Cuthbert played Alex Kerkovich, a ditzy store-owner who leaves her fiancé at the altar in the show’s pilot. The show costarred Eliza Coupe, Casey Wilson, Zachary Kingston, Adam Pally, and Damon Wayans Jr. Happy Endings premiered to mixed reviews amid several other similar sitcoms, but grew to be critically acclaimed with a devoted fan following in the second and third seasons. While praised as one of the best shows on television by some critics, the series was canceled by the network due to low ratings in May 2013.
On July 6, 2013, Cuthbert married professional hockey player Dion Phaneuf, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, to whom she had been engaged since September 2012.
Principal Works
Television
Popular Mechanics for Kids, 1997–2000
Are You Afraid of the Dark?, 1999–2000
24, 2001–2004, 2006, 2009–2010
The Forgotten, 2010
Happy Endings, 2011–13
Film
Airspeed, 1998
Love Actually, 2003
Old School, 2003
The Girl Next Door, 2004
House of Wax, 2005
Captivity, 2007
He Was a Quiet Man, 2007
The Six Wives of Henry Lefay, 2009
Bibliography
Cuthbert, Elisha. Interview by Erik Adams. “Elisha Cuthbert on Being ‘The Funny One’ and Not Competing with 24.” AV Club. Onion, 29 Jan. 2013. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.
Deziel, Shanda. “The Actress and the Agitator.” Maclean’s 19 Dec. 2005: 62. Print.
Dowd, Kathy Ehrich. “Elisha Cuthbert Marries Hockey Star Dion Phaneuf.” People. Time, 7 July 2013. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.
Mills, Nancy. “Cuthbert Begins ‘Happy Endings.’” USA Today 19 Apr. 2011: n. pag. Print.
Snierson, Dan. “Happy Days.” Entertainment Weekly 9 Dec. 2011: 46–50. Print.