Nina Dobrev
The Canadian actress who became the face of a teen supernatural phenomenon, deftly playing both a heroic mortal and her vengeful vampire doppelgänger.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Canadian actress·Birthday: January 9·Millennials
Biography
Nina Dobrev didn't just land a role on 'The Vampire Diaries'; she became its emotional and narrative anchor. A former competitive gymnast and aspiring dancer from Toronto, she transitioned to acting with a series of teen-focused parts. But it was the dual challenge of playing Elena Gilbert, the compassionate human, and Katherine Pierce, the cunning, centuries-old vampire, that showcased her remarkable range. For six seasons, she drove the show's complex mythology, making viewers believe in both the vulnerability of a small-town girl and the ferocious guile of a survivor. Since leaving Mystic Falls, Dobrev has strategically shifted gears, choosing comedic films, voice work, and producing projects that demonstrate a career built on more than one iconic performance, intent on defining her path beyond the supernatural shadow she helped cast.
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.
Nina was born in 1989, 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 Nina Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Nina's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
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
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the dual lead roles of Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce on The CW's hit series 'The Vampire Diaries'.
- Won multiple Teen Choice Awards for her work on 'The Vampire Diaries', including Choice TV Actress in a Fantasy/Sci-Fi.
- Starred in and executive produced the Netflix film 'The Love Hard', a popular holiday romantic comedy.
- Was a series regular on the Canadian teen drama 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' before her breakout role.
Did You Know?
She was a competitive gymnast for over a decade and is a trained dancer.
Dobrev is a certified PADI scuba diver.
She and 'The Vampire Diaries' co-star Ian Somerhalder dated for several years during the show's run.
She was born in Bulgaria and moved to Canada with her family when she was two years old.
“I like playing characters that are strong and independent and have a voice.”
