Emilie de Ravin
An Australian actress who brought grounded humanity to fantastical roles, making her characters on 'Lost' and 'Once Upon a Time' deeply relatable.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Australian actress·Birthday: December 27·Millennials
Biography
Emilie de Ravin built a career by finding the emotional core within genre storytelling. Discovered by a talent scout while studying ballet in Melbourne, she first caught attention in the cult teen drama *Roswell*. Her big break came as Claire Littleton, the pregnant survivor on ABC's *Lost*. De Ravin made Claire's fear, resilience, and maternal drive the heart of the show's early seasons, grounding a surreal island mystery in tangible human stakes. She later traded the jungle for a fairy tale kingdom, playing Belle on *Once Upon a Time*, where she again focused on the character's intelligence and strength over mere romance. In film, she chose eclectic roles, from the harrowing remake of *The Hills Have Eyes* to the indie drama *Remember Me*. Her performances consistently reveal a thoughtful actor who specializes in making the extraordinary feel real.
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.
Emilie was born in 1981, 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 Emilie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Emilie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed central character Claire Littleton across all six seasons of the landmark television series *Lost*.
- Played the live-action version of Belle in the hit ABC series *Once Upon a Time* for multiple seasons.
- Starred as the female lead in the 2006 remake of the horror film *The Hills Have Eyes*.
Did You Know?
She was a ballet student with the Australian Ballet School before pursuing acting.
De Ravin is a dual citizen of Australia and the United States.
She has a small tattoo of a music note on her foot.
“I'm drawn to characters who are lost and trying to find their way home.”
