Jacoba Fransisca Maria Smulders, known professionally as Cobie Smulders, is a Canadian actress celebrated for her versatile roles in both television and film. Born on April 3, 1982, in Vancouver, British Columbia, she gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Robin Scherbatsky in the beloved CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, which aired from 2005 to 2014. Smulders has also made significant contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the character Maria Hill, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, starting with the blockbuster film The Avengers in 2012 and continuing through various projects, including the 2023 miniseries Secret Invasion.

Smulders' early life was shaped by her upbringing in Vancouver, where she developed a passion for acting and performance. She attended the University of Victoria but left to pursue her acting career. After a brief stint in modeling, she began her journey in the entertainment industry with guest appearances in television series such as Veronica Mars and The L Word. Her breakthrough came when she was cast in How I Met Your Mother, where her charm and comedic talent endeared her to audiences and solidified her status in Hollywood.

In addition to her television success, Cobie Smulders has appeared in several notable films. She starred in Safe Haven alongside Josh Duhamel in 2013 and lent her voice to the character of Wonder Woman in the animated features from the The Lego Movie franchise, which ran from 2014 to 2019. She also took on dramatic roles in films such as Results and The Intervention, both released in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Her action credentials were further established with her role in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.

Smulders has also expanded her television repertoire with significant roles in various series. She appeared in the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events in 2017 and starred in the comedy series Friends from College from 2017 to 2019. In 2019, she took on a lead role in the ABC crime drama Stumptown, which showcased her ability to blend humor with serious themes. More recently, she participated in the acclaimed FX true crime series Impeachment: American Crime Story in 2021, demonstrating her continued relevance in the industry.

Beyond her work on screen, Smulders made her theater debut in 2010 with the off-Broadway production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. In 2017, she made her Broadway debut in the revival of Noël Coward's comedy Present Laughter, earning a Theater World Award for her performance.

Cobie Smulders is married to actor Taran Killam, with whom she tied the knot on September 8, 2012. Together, they have two daughters and often share glimpses of their family life with fans. As of 2023, she continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry, balancing her roles in film and television while also taking on new challenges within the world of theater.