Phoebe Tonkin
An Australian screen presence who evolved from teen soap star to a defining face of supernatural drama on American television.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Australian actress·Birthday: July 12·Millennials
Biography
Phoebe Tonkin carved a niche as the ethereal, often powerful young woman in genre television, building a dedicated international fanbase. Hailing from Sydney, she began acting as a teenager, landing a role on the long-running Australian soap 'Home and Away.' Her leap to global recognition came with the cult fantasy series 'The Secret Circle,' but it was her dual role in the 'Vampire Diaries' universe that solidified her status. As the regal and resilient vampire Hayley Marshall on 'The Originals,' Tonkin portrayed a complex journey from lone wolf to hybrid queen and mother, anchoring the show's emotional core for five seasons. Her career showcases a deliberate shift from sunny Australian dramas to darker, mythologically rich storytelling, making her a staple of early 21st-century supernatural TV.
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.
Phoebe 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 Phoebe Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Phoebe'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
- Won an AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama for her role in 'The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.'
- Portrayed Hayley Marshall across more than 90 episodes of 'The Originals' and 'The Vampire Diaries.'
- Began her professional acting career on the iconic Australian soap opera 'Home and Away.'
Did You Know?
She is a trained ballet dancer and studied at the prestigious Toni Beaumont Dance School in Sydney.
She is close friends with fellow Australian actress Teresa Palmer, with whom she co-founded a wellness website.
She voiced the character of Wonder Woman in the 2019 animated film 'Wonder Woman: Bloodlines.'
“I'm drawn to characters who hold a secret power just beneath the surface.”
