Cobie Smulders
From a Canadian model to a beloved sitcom best friend and a steadfast pillar of the Marvel universe, she brings grounded strength to every role.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Canadian actress·Birthday: April 3·Millennials
Biography
Cobie Smulders' path to acting was almost an accident. A Vancouver native, she was modeling internationally when a chance audition opened a new door. Her breakthrough came as Robin Scherbatsky on 'How I Met Your Mother,' the cool, independent Canadian news anchor who became the emotional anchor of the long-running sitcom. Smulders brought a wry, no-nonsense warmth to the role, making Robin a relatable counterpoint to the show's more outlandish characters. Almost in parallel, she was drafted into a vastly different universe, debuting as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill in 'The Avengers.' With steely competence and minimal fuss, she became a constant, reassuring presence across Marvel films and series, a human tether in a world of gods and super-soldiers. Smulders has built a career on portraying capable, intelligent women who get the job done, whether that job is navigating friendship in New York or saving the world.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Cobie was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cobie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Cobie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the integral role of Robin Scherbatsky across all nine seasons of the hit CBS sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother.'
- Portrays S.H.I.E.L.D. Deputy Director Maria Hill, a recurring character throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2012.
- Starred as the lead in the ABC television series 'Stumptown,' based on the graphic novel series, playing a Marine veteran turned PI.
- Voiced the character of Wonder Woman in the animated 'LEGO Movie' franchise.
Did You Know?
She is fluent in French.
She was a successful fashion model, appearing in campaigns for brands like Nike and Victoria's Secret, before turning to acting full-time.
She was originally considered for the role of Maria Hill in 'The Avengers' without an audition, based on her work on 'How I Met Your Mother.'
She was born Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders; 'Cobie' is a childhood nickname.
“I'm just a girl from Canada who got lucky.”
