Laura Bertram
A Canadian actress who transitioned from a beloved teen star on 'Ready or Not' to the enigmatic, glowing oracle Trance Gemini in 'Andromeda'.
Born 1978 (age 48)·Canadian actress (b. 1978)·Birthday: September 5·Generation X
Biography
Laura Bertram entered the consciousness of a generation of Canadian kids as Amanda Zimm, the thoughtful, diary-keeping best friend on the hit YTV series 'Ready or Not'. That role showcased a natural, grounded presence that made her instantly relatable. Rather than be typecast, Bertram strategically pivoted into genre television, landing the defining role of her career: Trance Gemini on the space opera 'Andromeda'. As Trance, she transformed from a seemingly naive, purple-haired alien into a mysterious, planet-powered being of immense foresight and power, displaying a remarkable range over the show's five seasons. Her career path reflects a deliberate choice to work consistently within the robust Canadian film and television industry, taking on varied roles in projects like 'The Eleventh Hour' and 'Would Be Kings', building a respected body of work on her own terms away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Laura was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Laura Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Laura's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
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
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the pivotal role of Trance Gemini for all five seasons of the sci-fi series 'Andromeda'.
- Starred as a series regular in the popular Canadian teen drama 'Ready or Not' for its entire run.
- Played lead roles in Canadian television films such as 'The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair'.
Did You Know?
She is a trained ballet dancer and studied at the National Ballet School of Canada.
Bertram provided the voice for the character 'Nod' in the animated TV series 'The Adventures of Chilly & Gilly'.
She graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto.
“I chose roles that challenged the girl next door expectation.”
