Nicole Evangeline Lilly (born August 3, 1979) is a Canadian author and former actress. She rose to fame as Kate Austen in the ABC drama series Lost (2004–2010), earning six Saturn Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.
Lilly appeared in the war film The Hurt Locker (2008), the sports drama Real Steel (2011), and portrayed Tauriel in The Hobbit films The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and The Battle of the Five Armies (2014). She also played Hope van Dyne in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and authored The Squickerwonkers.
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Evangeline Lilly Net Worth
Evangeline Lilly has a net worth of $5 million, is best known for her role as Kate Austen in the hit series Lost. She gained widespread recognition and was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Breakout Stars of 2004 and People’s 50 Most Beautiful People.
In 2007, TV Guide named her the Sexiest Woman on Television. Known for portraying strong, tragic, and snarky characters, Lilly earned acclaim for roles in The Hobbit as Tauriel and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Hope van Dyne / Wasp.
Early life
Evangeline Lilly was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, on August 3, 1979, and raised in British Columbia by her mother, a daycare owner, and father, a home economics teacher. She has an older and a younger sister and was raised Baptist and Mennonite.
Lilly graduated from W. J. Mouat Secondary School in Abbotsford with a 4.3 GPA, serving as soccer captain and student council vice president. At the University of British Columbia, she studied international relations while working as a waitress, mechanic, and flight attendant for Royal Airlines.
Career
Evangeline Lilly began acting after being discovered by a Ford Modelling Agency agent in Kelowna, British Columbia. She landed commercials and small roles in Smallville, Kingdom Hospital, and appeared on G4TV. In late 2003, a friend urged her to audition for ABC’s Lost.
Despite limited script access, she auditioned among 75 women for Kate Austen. Damon Lindelof and J. J. Abrams immediately chose her. After nearly 20 visa attempts, Lilly arrived one day late in Hawaii, officially launching her breakthrough role on Lost from 2004–2007.
Personal life
Evangeline Lilly, raised Baptist and Mennonite, described herself as “very devout and evangelical”. She has done humanitarian work in Rwanda for over 13 years, running an NGO. She was married to Murray Hone (2003–2004) and dated Dominic Monaghan (2004–2007).
Since 2010, she’s been with Norman Kali; they have two sons (born 2011 and 2015). In 2006, a fire destroyed her Hawaii home. In 2020, she sparked backlash for refusing COVID-19 quarantine, later apologized, and in 2022, protested vaccine mandates and supported the Canada convoy.
Why did Evangeline Lilly quit acting?
Lilly contemplated retirement from acting after her stint on “Lost,” citing the instant leap to international stardom as a significant discomfort. However, her passion for storytelling and significant roles that align with her interests have seen her return to the screen in impactful projects.
Conclusion
Evangeline Lilly’s journey from a college graduate to a beloved figure in Hollywood and the literary world is nothing short of inspiring. With her diverse roles and continued advocacy for humanitarian causes, Lilly remains a significant and influential figure in the entertainment industry.
FAQs about Evangeline Lilly
- Has Evangeline Lilly won any awards for her acting?
- Yes, Lilly has received critical acclaim and award nominations, including a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “Lost.”
- What book series has Evangeline Lilly authored?
- She is the author of “The Squickerwonkers,” a series of children’s books.
- What motivated Evangeline Lilly to return to acting after considering retirement?
- Her passion for storytelling and roles that resonate with her beliefs and interests motivated her return.
- How has Evangeline Lilly contributed to humanitarian efforts?
- Lilly has used her platform for various humanitarian causes, although specific details of her contributions are personal and focused on using her high-profile roles to further these efforts.
- What is Evangeline Lilly’s educational background?
- Lilly graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations.
