Cobie Smulders: Bio, ovarian cancer, career and family

Cobie Smulders landed the role of Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother as a 23-year-old Canadian actress, but just two years later she received a diagnosis that would change her life: ovarian cancer. Here’s a look at her journey from sitcom star to Marvel superhero and cancer survivor, with the facts you need to know.

Born: April 3, 1982 · Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada · Occupation: Actress · Known for: Robin Scherbatsky in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ · Cancer diagnosis: Ovarian cancer in 2007 · Children: 2 daughters

Eight key facts about Cobie Smulders, from her full name to her family life, are summarized in the table below.

What illness did Cobie Smulders have?

Ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2007

• Smulders was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 25 while filming the third season of How I Met Your Mother (TODAY (health interview)).
• The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and surrounding tissue (TODAY).
• She underwent multiple surgeries over a two-year period to remove the cancerous cells (TODAY).

Treatment and recovery

• She had surgery and chemotherapy, and doctors cautioned she might have difficulty conceiving naturally after treatment (TODAY).
• By August 2019, Smulders said she was in remission (Wikipedia (biography entry)).
• She said in 2015 that she never felt fully ‘cancer-free’ (ABC News (interview)).

Advocacy and awareness

• In 2015, Smulders publicly discussed the diagnosis and said she hoped to create awareness (ABC News).
• She told Good Morning America: “I survived it and you can too” (ABC News).

The implication: Smulders’ openness about her cancer journey has made her a credible advocate, but she has also been careful to note that her experience is not universal. The pattern: survivors often face long-term uncertainty about recurrence, and Smulders’ own words reflect that reality.

What is Cobie Smulders’ relationship with her ‘How I Met Your Mother’ co-stars?

Did Neil Patrick Harris love Cobie Smulders?

• Neil Patrick Harris expressed a “talent crush” on Smulders in interviews, saying: “She’s so talented and beautiful. I had a huge crush on her talent” (Entertainment Weekly (celebrity interview)).
• Harris clarified that the crush was professional and playful, not romantic.

Are Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders friends in real life?

• Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders have remained close friends after the show ended, attending events together and supporting each other’s projects (Us Weekly (celebrity news)).

Is Jason Segel friends with Cobie Smulders?

• Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders share a warm, supportive friendship, with Segel praising her comedic timing and work ethic in interviews (The Late Show (interview clip)).

The trade-off: while public friendships create feel-good headlines, the exact nature of personal relationships — especially between Harris and Smulders — remains private. What we know is that the cast continues to speak warmly of one another, a rarity in long-running TV ensembles.

What is Cobie Smulders’ ethnic background and family origins?

Is Cobie Smulders half English?

• Smulders has said her father is Dutch and her mother is English (Wikipedia (Spanish) (biography entry)).
• She was named Jacoba after a Dutch great-aunt, which is the origin of the nickname Cobie (Wikipedia (Spanish) (biography entry)).

Is Cobie Smulders’ mum English?

• Yes, her mother is English, as confirmed by Smulders in interviews.

Her father’s heritage

• Her father is Dutch, giving her a mixed European background of Dutch and English ancestry.
• She grew up in Vancouver, Canada, with that dual heritage.

The pattern: Smulders’ mixed European roots are typical of many Canadian celebrities, but her Dutch great-aunt’s name directly inspired her nickname — a small detail that connects her identity to her family history.

Does Cobie Smulders have children and who is her husband?

Biological children of Cobie Smulders

• Smulders has two biological daughters with her husband Taran Killam (Marie Claire (celebrity profile)).
• She has said that doctors cautioned her she might have difficulty conceiving naturally after treatment, but she was able to have children (TODAY (health interview)).

Marriage to Taran Killam

• Smulders married actor Taran Killam in 2012 (TODAY).
• They keep their family relatively private, occasionally sharing glimpses on social media.

Family life

• She has spoken about balancing motherhood with acting, particularly during her Marvel and HIMYM commitments.

The catch: Smulders’ ability to have children after intensive cancer treatment is not the norm. Many survivors face fertility challenges. Her story offers hope but also underscores the importance of fertility preservation conversations before treatment.

What are Cobie Smulders’ key career highlights and personal stats?

Major movies and TV shows

• She is best known for playing Robin Scherbatsky in How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014) (Wikipedia (Canada) (biography entry)).
• She played Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Spider-Man: Far From Home (Wikipedia (Canada)).
• Other film credits include The Lincoln Lawyer, Safe Haven, and Results.

Role in the Avengers franchise

• Her portrayal of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill began in 2012’s The Avengers and continued through multiple Marvel films.

Net worth and personal statistics

• As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $25 million (Celebrity Net Worth (finance publication)).
• She is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, born on April 3, 1982.
• Her full name is Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders (Wikipedia (biography entry)).

The implication: Smulders’ net worth reflects a steady career built on two iconic roles — one on television, one in film. She has not needed to chase roles; instead, the roles have come to her, a sign of sustained industry trust.

Timeline

Smulders’ path from modeling to sitcom stardom to superhero franchise is marked by distinct milestones and a major health crisis.

The arc shows a two-year window of treatment that Smulders kept largely private while continuing to film a hit sitcom, a decision that speaks to her professional discipline.

Clarity section

Quotes

“I had cancer, and I’m fine. I’m a survivor.”

— Cobie Smulders, People (celebrity news magazine)

“She’s so talented and beautiful. I had a huge crush on her talent.”

— Neil Patrick Harris, Entertainment Weekly (interview)

For fans of How I Met Your Mother, the warmth between Smulders and her co-stars is a reminder that the show’s on-screen chemistry was rooted in real friendship. For cancer survivors, her words carry a message of resilience: “I’m fine” is not just a statement — it’s a victory.

For those interested in more details, Cobie Smulderss cancer survival story provides an in-depth look at her diagnosis and resilience.

Frequently asked questions