Erica Durance (//;[1] born June 21, 1978) is a Canadian actress and producer. She is perhaps best known for her role as Lois Lane in the WB/CW series Smallville.
In 2012, Durance began starring in the lead role in the new medical drama television series Saving Hope.
Durance was born in Calgary, Alberta, and was raised in Three Hills, Alberta. After graduating from high school, 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 husband, David Palffy.
She started out with background work, graduating to commercials and
then guest-starring roles, landing more substantial roles each time.
Career
In 2003, she was in House of the Dead which features her first and only nude scene and 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.'"[2] Fellow producer Brian Peterson added that from the moment Durance was hired they knew she would be Lois for the series.[3] 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 cancelled ABC show remake of Charlie's Angels.[4]
In January 2012, she guest starred again, this time in the NBC TV series Harry's Law.[5] 2012 also saw Durance do a cameo in Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie.
In the summer of 2012, Durance began playing the lead role in the NBC/CTV medical drama Saving Hope,[6][7] where she is also a producer.[8] 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.
Media publicity
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.[9]
On February 24, 2011 Durance was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress in a Television series for her work in Smallville.[10] This was followed up with a Teen Choice Award nomination for best actress in a Fantasy/Sci-Fi show.[11]
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.[12]
Personal life
After her first marriage she was credited as Erica Parker, but changed it back as soon as she got divorced. Durance married Canadian actor, writer and director David Palffy on January 8, 2005. Durance has a teenage stepson named Lazslo from a previous relationship of her husband's.[13]
Filmography
List of film credits
| Notes |
| 2001 |
111 Gramercy Park |
Maddy O'Donnell |
Television film |
| 2002 |
The Untold |
Tara Knowles |
Direct-to-video film |
| 2003 |
House of the Dead |
Johanna |
|
| 2003 |
Devil Winds |
Kara Jensen |
Television film |
| 2004 |
The Bridge |
Amy |
Short film |
| 2006 |
Stranded |
Carina |
Television film |
| 2006 |
The Butterfly Effect 2 |
Julie Miller |
|
| 2007 |
I Me Wed |
Isabelle Darden |
Television film
Nominated—Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2009 |
The Building |
Jules Wilde |
Television film |
| 2009 |
Final Verdict |
Megan Washington |
Television film |
| 2009 |
Beyond Sherwood Forest |
Maid Marian |
Television film |
| 2010 |
Sophie |
Natalia |
|
| 2012 |
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie |
Paris Waitress |
|
| 2012 |
Gemelle |
Angela/Christine |
Television film |
