Claire Holt Australian actress Date of Birth: 11.06.1988 Country: Australia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Transition to Acting
3. Rising Star
4. "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals"
5. Personal Life
6. Recent Projects

Early Life and Education

Clare Rhiannon Holt is an Australian actress born on June 11, 1988, in Brisbane, Australia. Raised in a large family with two sisters and a brother, Holt's upbringing was shaped by her British mother's influence, resulting in frequent visits to relatives in the Northern Hemisphere. Her childhood was further enriched by the presence of her father's 42 cousins, providing a vibrant and extended family network.

At the age of seven, Holt began attending the prestigious Catholic girls' boarding school, Stuartholme School in Toowong, Brisbane. During her eight years there until 2005, she actively participated in the school's choir, drama club, and piano and guitar lessons. Sports also held a prominent place in her life, with Holt excelling in swimming, volleyball, water polo, and taekwondo, earning a black belt in the latter.

Transition to Acting

Initially planning to pursue a career in medicine, Holt's life took an unexpected turn when she began modeling for advertisements. Her athleticism and acting abilities caught the attention of casting agents for the television series "H2O: Just Add Water." After a successful audition, she secured the lead role of mermaid Emma Gilbert.

During the filming of the first two seasons of "H2O," Holt honed her skills while adapting to the unique challenges of underwater scenes. Training began daily at 5 am, including mastering the technique of swimming with a 15-kg tail while interacting with dolphins, baby sharks, and navigating coral reefs. The series gained international acclaim and made Holt a global celebrity, broadcast in over 100 countries.

Rising Star

Following the success of "H2O," Holt went on to appear in commercials for Dreamworld, Queensland Lifesaving, and Sizzler. She then transitioned to film, starring in the 2009 horror sequel "Messengers 2: The Scarecrow" as Lindsay Rollins.

In 2010, Holt landed the role of Samara Cook in the popular television series "Pretty Little Liars." The show's high ratings led to its renewal for five seasons, further solidifying Holt's status as a rising star.

"The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals"

In 2011, Holt joined the cast of "The Vampire Diaries" as Rebekah Mikaelson, a vampire from an ancient lineage and the younger sister of Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Elijah (Daniel Gillies). She appeared in the third season and remained on the show for three years. Rebekah's complex and often selfish behavior, despite her hatred for Elena (Nina Dobrev), made her a captivating character.

The spin-off series "The Originals," which premiered in 2013, starred Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson once again. The show focused on the Mikaelson family of original vampires who settled in New Orleans.

Personal Life

In 2015, Clare Holt announced her engagement to American producer Matthew Kaplan. The couple married in April 2016, but sadly, in April 2017, Kaplan filed for divorce. In May, Holt confirmed the separation.

Recent Projects

In 2016, Holt starred in the thriller "47 Meters Down" alongside Mandy Moore. The film, which premiered in the UK in late 2016 and in the US and Russia in June 2017, follows two sisters who encounter great white sharks during a scuba diving adventure.

Currently, Holt is involved in several new projects, including "Wolf in the Wild," "Irreplaceable You," "The Divorce Party," and "Doomsday." In June 2017, she embarked on a vacation to Greece with friends, where she began a romantic relationship with Andrew Joblon.