Claudia Karvan Biography

(Film actress)

Birthday: May 19, 1972 (Taurus)

Born In: Sydney

Advanced SearchClaudia Karvan is an Australian actress and producer much acclaimed for her role in the television series ‘The Secret Life of Us’. One of the best known actresses in her country, she started out as a child star and gained more prominence as a teenager. Pretty, poised and confident from a young age, she was organized and responsible from the time she was a little girl. Following her entry into the show business at the age of 11, these very qualities helped her to effortlessly make the transition to an adult actress after a few years—a feat not many child stars are able to accomplish. Over the years she has established herself as a much sought after actress and has shared the screen with several of Australia’s leading men including Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, and Hugh Jackman. Blessed with ageless beauty and grace, she is much appreciated for her acting talents and especially renowned for her expertise in portraying dramatic characters. But she refuses to be stereotyped and displays her versatility by taking on different and challenging roles. She has also appeared on stage in a production of ‘Summer of the Seventeenth Doll’. After achieving much success as an actress, she turned to production with the television drama series, ‘Love My Way’ Quick Facts

Australian Celebrities Born In May

Age: 51 Years, 51 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jeremy Sparks

mother: Gabrielle Karvan

children: Albee Sparks, Audrey Sparks, Holiday Sidewinder

Actresses Australian Women

Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Females

City: Sydney, Australia

More Facts

education: SCEGGS Darlinghurst

awards: 2010
2006
2003 - Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actress - Saved

Love My Way
The Secret Life of Us
2008
2007
2005 - AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series - Love My Way
2014
2008
2005 - AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama - The Time of Our Lives
Love My Way
G.P.
2008
2006
2005 - ASTRA Awards for Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor (Female) - Love My Way

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Australian PeopleTaurus ActressesAustralian ActressesActresses Who Are In Their 50sWomen Film & Theater Personalities Childhood & Early LifeClaudia Karvan was born on 19 May 1972, in Sydney, Australia. She moved to Bali with her mother and brothers when she was eight and lived there for a year before returning to Australia. Later on, the family moved to King's Cross where her stepfather owned the famous nightspot Arthur's.She was an intelligent and organized girl from childhood and attended the SCEGGS Darlinghurst, an independent, Anglican school for girls.As a young girl she dreamed of becoming a dog trainer or a horse trainer, and the thought of becoming a performer never crossed her mind. However, destiny had other plans for her, and soon she found herself becoming an actress at the age of 11.Continue Reading BelowRecommended Lists:Australian Female Film & Theater PersonalitiesAustralian Film & Theater PersonalitiesTaurus WomenCareerClaudia Karvan made her debut as a child actress in the 1983 film, ‘Molly’. The movie was about a real life singing dog, Molly, who was owned by Phillip Roope and had appeared on the Mike Walsh television show.In 1987, she appeared along with Judy Davis in the movie ‘High Tide’, which was about the bond between a mother and her long-lost daughter. Claudia’s portrayal of the unhappy teen Ally was well received by the audience. The same year, she also appeared in Phillip Noyce’s ‘Echoes of Paradise’.After playing supporting roles so far as a young girl, she landed her first leading role in 1990 when she was offered the part of Joanna Johnson in the comedy film, ‘The Big Steal’. The movie, which also had Ben Mendelsohn playing his first leading role, was a huge hit.In 1993, she appeared alongside Alex Dimitriades in the film, ‘The Heartbreak Kid’, which was based on a play of the same name by Richard Barrett. She played the role of a young and vivacious high school teacher who develops an illicit affair with one of her students.Claudia Karvan appeared as Alfhild de Luce in the 1999 drama film, ‘Passion’, which was based on some incidents from the life of the pianist and composer Percy Grainger. The same year, she starred opposite Hugh Jackman in the comedy movie ‘Paperback Hero’.In 2006, she acted in the film ‘Footy Legends’, which tells the story of Luc Vu, a young Vietnamese Australian man with an obsession about rugby league football. The same year, she played the role of Hailey's mother in the American film ‘Aquamarine’.She, along with Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe, appeared in the science-fiction thriller ‘Daybreakers’, which depicts a futuristic world overrun by vampires. The film was a critical as well as commercial success.Along with being a film actress Claudia Karvan has also been active on television. She has appeared in several major television series such as, ‘The Secret Life of Us’ (2001-05), ‘Love My Way’ (2004-07), and ‘Spirited’ (2010-11).Major WorkHer portrayal of the character of Alex Christensen in the television drama series, ‘The Secret Life of Us’, is one of her finest performances. The show was immensely popular in Australia and was also shown in other countries like Ireland, New Zealand, France and Norway. She was critically acclaimed for her role which earned her several awards and nominations. Awards & AchievementsIn 1993, she won an FCCA (Film Critics Circle of Australia) Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘The Heartbreak Kid’.She was awarded the Australian Film Institute award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama for the GP episode titled ‘Sing Me a Lullaby’ in 1996. She won the award again in 2005 and 2007 for her role as Frankie Paige in the television series ‘Love My Way’.She received the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actress thrice: in 2003 for ‘The Secret Life of Us’, in 2006 for ‘Love My Way’, and in 2010 for ‘Saved’.Personal Life & LegacyShe is married to Jeremy Sparks whom she first met when she was 22. The couple has two children, and Claudia is also the step-mother to Sparks’ daughter from a previous relationship.