Willowy brunette Cobie Smulders turned the heads of TV viewers and critics alike as high-strung reporter Robin Scherbatsky on “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS, 2005- ). Robin’s relationship with the lovelorn Ted (Josh Radnor) and how it may – or may not – have resulted in a happy ending, was the engine that drove the charming show, and Smulders’ knack for both comedy and romantic drama helped earn the series a faithful audience.

Born April 3, 1982, in Vancouver, B.C., Smulders (who speaks fluent French) grew up dreaming of becoming a doctor or marine biologist when she was not busy playing sports,