Cobie Smulders, known as Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother and Maria Hill in Marvel films, navigated a cancer diagnosis in her twenties while building one of television’s most beloved characters. This article pieces together her full story — from modeling teenager to Hollywood leading lady.
Born: April 3, 1982, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ·
Known for: Robin Scherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother, Maria Hill in Marvel films ·
Net worth estimate: $25 million (multiple reports) ·
Years active: 2002–present ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) ·
Spouse: Taran Killam (m. 2012)
Quick snapshot
- Married to Taran Killam since 2012 (Wikipedia)
- Born in Vancouver, Canada of Dutch and English descent (Wikipedia)
- Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) (IMDb (cast database))
- Exact current net worth (estimates range $20M–$30M) (Celebrity Net Worth (wealth estimation site))
- Exact current residence (likely Los Angeles, but not publicly confirmed) (Just Jared (entertainment news))
- Health details (cancer diagnosis and treatment sourced from a single biography resource, not medically verified) (All American Speakers (biography resource))
- 2005–2014: Starred in How I Met Your Mother (Wikipedia)
- 2012–2023: Played Maria Hill in Marvel films (Wikipedia)
- 2007–2008: Ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment (All American Speakers)
- Starred in Netflix series ‘The Last Laugh’ (2024) (IMDb (filmography))
- Appeared in Marvel’s Secret Invasion (2023) (Wikipedia)
- Continues to work in TV and film (TV Guide (celebrity bio))
Ten data points that define Smulders’ biography and career:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maria Cobie Smulders |
| Birthdate | April 3, 1982 |
| Birthplace | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Profession | Actress, former model |
| Notable role | Robin Scherbatsky, How I Met Your Mother |
| Spouse | Taran Killam (married 2012) |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Net worth (estimated) | $25 million |
| Languages | English, some French |
What happened to Cobie Smulders?
Cancer diagnosis and recovery
While filming How I Met Your Mother in her mid-twenties, Smulders received a life-altering diagnosis. According to an interview with All American Speakers (biography resource), she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She later told Women’s Health magazine that she had a cyst on her ovary that turned out to be cancerous. Surgery removed the ovary, and a subsequent procedure removed another cyst. She has been cancer-free since.
Smulders kept her cancer treatment private for years, even from many co-workers. The discipline required to film a hit sitcom while undergoing surgery without public scrutiny is a reminder that some of the hardest battles are fought off-screen.
Why this was kept private for years
Smulders revealed her cancer journey in 2015 through Women’s Health magazine, years after her recovery. In interviews, she explained that she wanted to focus on her work and family without the media attention. The timing of her disclosure — long after she was healthy — allowed her to control the narrative.
What is Cobie Smulders doing now?
Recent TV and film projects
As of 2024, Smulders remains actively working. She starred in the Netflix comedy The Last Laugh and reprised her role as Maria Hill in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion (2023). Her filmography also includes voice work in animated projects, according to TV Guide (celebrity bio).
Voice acting and other ventures
Smulders has lent her voice to several animated series and films, including Lego Marvel Super Heroes and The Simpsons. She also executive produced and starred in independent projects.
The pattern: After the end of both How I Met Your Mother and her Marvel commitments, Smulders has deliberately mixed studio projects with smaller, character-driven work — a balance that keeps her career flexible.
How did Cobie Smulders get famous?
How I Met Your Mother breakthrough role
Smulders landed the role of Robin Scherbatsky in 2005 after a series of smaller TV parts. The show ran for nine seasons, making Robin one of the most recognizable female characters on television. Wikipedia notes that the role launched her to mainstream fame.
Early acting career
Before How I Met Your Mother, Smulders appeared in short-lived series like Veritas: The Quest (her first lead role) and had guest spots on The L Word and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
- First lead role: Juliet Droil in Veritas: The Quest (2003) — IMDb
- Guest appearances on The L Word and Smallville
Why this matters: Smulders’ path to stardom wasn’t overnight. She paid dues in small roles and background work, which made the HIMYM opportunity a genuinely earned breakthrough.
Was Cobie Smulders a model before acting?
Modeling career before acting
Yes. As a teenager, Smulders was signed by a modeling agency and traveled internationally for assignments. According to IMDb (biography data), she also filmed a commercial for a Japanese company during this period.
Transition to acting
After graduating high school, Smulders decided to pursue acting full-time. She moved from modeling to on-screen work, studying in Alberta and later breaking into TV.
The trade-off: Modeling gave her early exposure to cameras and professional sets, but Smulders has said in interviews that she found acting more creatively fulfilling — an honest pivot that many former models make.
Who is Cobie Smulders’ husband?
Taran Killam: actor and comedian
Smulders married Taran Killam in 2012. Killam is best known for his six-season run as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. He has also appeared in films like The Heat and 12 Years a Slave, and co-created the TV series Single Parents.
Marriage and family life
The couple has two daughters. They maintain a relatively private family life, often splitting time between Los Angeles and Vancouver. Wikipedia confirms the marriage year and children.
The implication: Smulders’ marriage to another working actor and parent means both partners understand the demands of the industry — a shared reality that likely strengthens their partnership.
Timeline: Cobie Smulders’ life and career
- : Born in Vancouver, Canada (Wikipedia)
- 1990s: Modeling career in her teens (IMDb)
- : First acting role on TV (IMDb)
- : Starred in How I Met Your Mother (Wikipedia)
- : Diagnosed with ovarian cancer, underwent treatment, recovered (All American Speakers)
- : Married Taran Killam (Wikipedia)
- : Played Maria Hill in Marvel films (The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, etc.) (Wikipedia)
- : Publicly revealed cancer diagnosis in Women’s Health (All American Speakers)
- : Starred in Netflix series The Last Laugh and Marvel’s Secret Invasion (TV Guide)
The implication: The timeline shows how Smulders’ career and personal life intertwined, from modeling to Marvel, reflecting a career built on resilience and adaptability.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Married to Taran Killam since 2012 (Wikipedia)
- Born in Vancouver, Canada of Dutch and English descent (Wikipedia)
- Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) (IMDb)
- Years active: 2002–present (TV Guide)
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth (estimates range $20M–$30M) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Exact current residence (likely Los Angeles, but not publicly confirmed) (Just Jared)
- Whether she will return to the MCU as Maria Hill after Secret Invasion
- Full details of her French fluency (reported as “some French” but not verified)
- Health details (cancer diagnosis and treatment sourced from All American Speakers, a single biography resource, not medically verified)
What this means: The balance of confirmed and unclear facts highlights the public and private sides of her life, with some details still awaiting official confirmation.
In her own words
“I had a cyst on my ovary, and it was cancerous. They removed the ovary and then a year later I had surgery to remove another cyst.”
Cobie Smulders to Women’s Health, 2015 (source)
She has explained in interviews that the nickname “Cobie” comes from her great-aunt (Empire).
The consequence: For fans still waiting for a return of Maria Hill in the MCU, the implication is clear: Smulders has moved on to new roles, but her legacy as one of television’s most enduring characters remains.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Cobie Smulders change her name?
She didn’t change her name legally. “Cobie” is a family nickname that originated from her great-aunt, according to Empire.
What kind of cancer did Cobie Smulders have?
Ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed at age 25 and underwent surgery to remove the affected ovary and later a cyst.
How many children does Cobie Smulders have?
Two daughters with husband Taran Killam.
Is Cobie Smulders still acting?
Yes. She continues to take roles in TV and film, including the 2024 Netflix series The Last Laugh.
What is Cobie Smulders’ highest-grossing movie?
The Avengers (2012) grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, making it her highest-earning film.
Does Cobie Smulders have any siblings?
She has a younger sister, as noted in various biographical sources.
What is the meaning behind the name Cobie?
It’s a family nickname passed down from her great-aunt, not an abbreviation of her legal name Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders.
The pattern: These questions address the most common curiosities about Smulders’ life and career, from her name to her ongoing projects.
Related reading
- Elizabeth Olsen: Biography, Family, and Common Questions
- Woody Harrelson: Tragedy, Career, Family & Net Worth
The connection: These articles offer further reading on related celebrities, providing context for Smulders’ place in Hollywood.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.