Erica Durance (/dəˈræns/; born June 21, 1978) is a Canadian actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Lois Lane in the WB/CW series Smallville. In 2012, Durance began starring in the medical drama series Saving Hope, as Dr. Alex Reid. She is also a producer for the series.
Early life
Erica Durance was born in Calgary to parents Gail and Joel Durance, and was raised on a turkey farm in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. After graduating from high school, in 1999, Durance moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, to pursue her interest in acting professionally. "I wanted to get my feet wet in a smaller area than Los Angeles when I gave it a try," Durance has said. She continued to study acting at 'The Yaletown Actors Lab' for many years with her coach and husband, David Palffy.
Career
Erica Durance began her career with background work, graduating to commercials and then guest-starring roles. In 2004, she guest-starred on The Chris Isaak Show playing Ashley, a woman on a date with Chris. In Tru Calling, her character was a contender in a beauty pageant opposite Eliza Dushku's character. On the Sci-Fi Channel, she played an intergalactic librarian in Andromeda and a love interest for Teal'c in Stargate SG-1. She also played a sister to one of the leads in the Canadian show The Collector.
2004 also saw Durance cast as Lois Lane on Smallville at the start of the 4th season. Executive Producer Kelly Souders recalled hiring Durance stating: "There were a lot of wonderful actresses who came in for the role but I remember sitting and watching her tape and everybody was like, 'That’s her. There's no question.'" Fellow producer Brian Peterson added that from the moment Durance was hired they knew she would be Lois for the series. Durance was a frequent guest star as Lois for the 4th season of Smallville and was then promoted as a series regular for the start of the 5th season. She remained part of the regular cast for the remainder of the series run which ended in 2011.
After 7 years, 2011 saw Durance complete her stint on Smallville as Lois Lane. And at the same time guest star in one episode of the ABC series remake of Charlie's Angels.
Along with starring in Smalville series, Durance has appeared in number of films and TV movies. Starring in 2006 Lifetime TV movie "Island Heat: Stranded", as Carina. And playing Julie Miller, in 2006 film "The Butterfly Effect 2". In 2007, Durance played Isabel Darden, in Lifetime TV movie "I Me Wed". Playing a successful, attractive 30-year-old woman, who decides to married herself, after growing tired of family and friends asking her "when are you going to get married". Durance appeared in 2009 TV movie "Beyond Sherwood Forest" as Maid Marian. In 2010, she played Natalia in the film "Sophie and Sheba".
In January 2012, she guest starred again, this time in the NBC TV series Harry's Law. 2012 also saw Durance do a cameo in Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie. In March 2012, she played twin sister Angela / Christine in the Italian TV mini-series 6 passi nel giallo in the episode Gemelle.
In the summer of 2012, Durance began playing the lead role in the NBC/CTV medical drama Saving Hope, as Chief Surgical Dr. Alex Reid. Durance is also a producer on the series. The series also stars Michael Shanks and Daniel Gillies. Saving Hope premiered on NBC and CTV on June 7. Season 2 began on June 25, 2013. Season 3 began in September 2014. In season 3, Erica Durance's real life pregnancy was worked into her character Alex Reid and the series.
Durance played Carnegie Kincaid, a wedding planner and a perfectionist, in 2014 Hallmark's movie "Wedding Planner Mystery". The story follows Carnegie Kincaid trying to clear her name, after she became a murder suspect. As her life exploding into a whirlwind mix of danger, mystery, and romance. The movie is based on Deborah Donnelly's novel "Veiled Threats".
Erica Durance will be starring in the upcoming Thriller film "Painkillers" (2015).
Awards and accolades
BuddyTv ranked Durance #26 on its TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2009 list. BuddyTV ranked her #16 on its TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2010 list.
On February 24, 2011 Durance was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress in a Television series for her work in Smallville. This was followed up with a Teen Choice Award nomination for Best Actress in a Fantasy/Sci-Fi Show. Durance was nominated for best actress in 2013 by the Canadian Screen Awards Academy for her work in Saving Hope.
In their special issue on the week of 25 May 2012, Canadian edition of Hello listed Durance as one of Canada's 50 Most Beautiful People.
On May 30, BuddyTV ranked Durance #9 on their list of Summer 2012's Hottest Women of TV.
Personal life
Erica Durance married Wesley Parker in 1996. During their marriage, she was credited as "Erica Parker". Durance began dating Canadian actor, writer and director David Palffy in April 2001 and married him on January 8, 2005. She has a teenage stepson, from her husband's previous marriage. In September 2014, Durance revealed she was pregnant with the couple's first child, and gave birth to a boy in February 2015.
Filmography
References
External links
- Erica Durance at the Internet Movie Database
- Erica Durance on Twitter
- Erica Durance cast bio on CTV
- Erica Durance cast bio on NBC
