Erica Durance
{{short description|Canadian actress}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Erica Durance
| image = Erica Durance (52272377724).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Durance at GalaxyCon, Raleigh, 2022
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1978|06|21}}
| nationality =
| birth_place = Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| other_names = Erica Parker{{cite AV media
|people = Uwe Boll (Director)| title = House of the Dead| medium = Feature film| location = United States| date = 2003 }}
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2001–present
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Wesley Parker|1996|1999|end=divorced}}
- {{marriage|David Palffy|2005|2024|end=divorced}}}}
| children = 2
}}
Erica Durance ({{IPAc-en|d|ə|ˈ|r|æ|n|s}}; born June 21, 1978) is a Canadian actress known for her roles as Lois Lane in the superhero television series Smallville (2004–2011) and as Dr. Alex Reid in the medical drama series Saving Hope (2012–2017). She has also appeared in films such as The Untold (2002), The Butterfly Effect 2 (2006), Final Verdict (2009) and Painkillers (2015).
Early life
Durance was born in Calgary to parents Gail and Joel Durance and grew up on a turkey farm with her older brother and sister in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada.{{cite web|title=Erica Durance Biography|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/erica-durance/bio/192358/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213160951/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/erica-durance/bio/192358/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-02-13|publisher=TV Guide|access-date=February 13, 2016}} Durance moved to Vancouver in 1999 to pursue her interest in acting professionally and study at the Yaletown Actors Lab.{{cite web|title=Erica Durance|url=http://ericadurance.tv/erica/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813020322/http://ericadurance.tv/erica/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-08-13|date=August 13, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Erica Durance Biography|url=https://www.buddytv.com/actors/erica-durance/|work=Buddy TV}}
Career
Durance began her career with background work. She appeared in commercials for Kokanee Beer. She has guest-starred in television series, including Andromeda, Stargate SG-1, Charlie's Angels, Harry's Law and Private Eyes.{{cite web |url=https://tvline.com/interviews/erica-durance-charlies-angels-preview-smallville-259533/|title=Erica Durance Previews Her Date With Charlie's Angels (Plus, Smallville Finale Scoop…?)|date=October 13, 2011|first=MATT WEBB|last= MITOVICH|work=TV Line}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/erica-durance-harrys-law-wonder-woman-smallville-1041146/|first=Natalie|last= Abrams|work=TV Guide|date=December 29, 2011|title=First Look: Smallville's Erica Durance Suits Up as Wonder Woman on Harry's Law}}
In 2004, Durance was cast in her breakout role as Lois Lane on the television series Smallville.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-09-21-smallville-durance_x.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626234201/https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-09-21-smallville-durance_x.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-26|title=On 'Smallville,' two Lois Lanes intersect|first=William|last=Keck|work=USA Today|date=September 21, 2004}} Durance was acting part-time and working as an agent for background actors and booking photo doubles for TV series and had considered quitting acting.{{Cite news |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=2021-10-15 |title="We Had Freedom to Change the Mythology:" An Oral History of 'Smallville' |language=en-US |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/smallville-tom-welling-michael-rosenbaum-1235031628/ |access-date=2021-10-15}} "I was at a point in my life where I was a bit frustrated with the business," Durance said. "[my manager] had to talk me into going out for it."{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/list_item/smallville-oral-history-casting-lois/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601184038/https://tvline.com/list_item/smallville-oral-history-casting-lois/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2022-06-01|title=SEARCHING HIGH AND LOIS|work=TV Line|date=May 12, 2021|access-date=June 1, 2022|first=Matt Webb|last=Mitovich}} Producer Kelly Souders said they knew Durance was Lois for the series after seeing her casting tape, "there were a lot of wonderful actresses who came in for the role but I remember the entire writing staff watching her tape and just saying, that's her. She had everything. She had attitude but she was loveable and brought all of it in her audition tape."{{cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEnqfMp4qXNsqw|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018194306/http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEnqfMp4qXNsqw|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-10-18|title=Smallville: Homecoming 200th Episode Q&A|work=movieweb|date=October 15, 2010}} Durance played a sassy, teenage Lois in season four in a recurring role. She was promoted to series regular in season five and became part of the Smallville cast.{{cite web|first=Rachel|last=Thomas|url=http://tvdramas.about.com/od/smallville/a/ericaduranceint.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922134458/http://tvdramas.about.com/od/smallville/a/ericaduranceint.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-09-22|date=September 8, 2008|work=about.com|title=Interview with Erica Durance (Lois, 'Smallville')}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/smallville-episode-200-a-heros-journey-remembered/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017090053/http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/smallville-episode-200-a-heros-journey-remembered/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-10-17|title=Episode 200: A hero's journey remembered|work=Fancast Home |last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb |date=October 14, 2010}} She played the character for seven seasons. "Everyone has their specific idea of who Lois Lane is for them, and you have your overall blueprint, but then you have to try to make it your own. That's the only way to try to stay truthful to what you're doing," Durance on playing Lois Lane.{{cite web |date=December 12, 2007 |title=Exclusive Interview: Erica Durance, from 'Smallville' |url=https://www.buddytv.com/exclusive-interview-erica-durance-from-smallville/ |access-date=January 10, 2016 |work=BuddyTV}}
In 2012, Durance began starring in the lead role in the CTV medical drama television series Saving Hope, as Chief Surgical Dr. Alex Reid.{{cite news|language=en|url=https://collider.com/erica-durance-saving-hope-interview/|date=June 5, 2012|title=Erica Durance Talks Medical Drama SAVING HOPE and Why It Brought Her Back to TV After SMALLVILLE|first=CHRISTINA|last=RADISH|work=Collider}}{{cite news|language=en|url=https://tvline.com/interviews/saving-hope-preview-erica-durance-335129/|title=Erica Durance: Saving Hope Is Not a Sorrowful Ghost Story But a ‘Wonderful Love Story’|date=June 7, 2012|first=Matt Webb|last=Mitovich|work=TV Line}} She was also a producer on the series and directed the season four episode "Torn and Frayed". In season 3, Durance's real-life pregnancy was worked into her character Alex Reid and the series. Saving Hope ended its run in 2017.{{cite news|language=en|url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/television/calgary-native-erica-durance-reflects-on-five-years-on-saving-hope-at-hope-zion-hospital|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310174008/https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/television/calgary-native-erica-durance-reflects-on-five-years-on-saving-hope-at-hope-zion-hospital|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-03-10|date=March 10, 2017|title=Calgary native Erica Durance reflects on five years on Saving Hope at Hope Zion Hospital|first=Eric| last=Volmers|work=Calgary Herald}}{{cite news|language=en|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/erica-durance-hangs-up-her-scalpel/article_014d64bd-31ea-52db-83db-6a067a41b46d.html|date=March 12, 2017|title=Erica Durance hangs up her scalpel|first=Tony|last=Wong|work=Toronto Star}}
Durance appeared in the television series Supergirl in a recurring role as Kara's Kryptonian mother, Alura Zor-El.{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/supergirl-shake-up-erica-durance-replacing-laura-benanti-1019448|title=‘Supergirl’ Shake-Up: Erica Durance Replacing Laura Benanti|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 7, 2017|access-date=July 9, 2017|first=Lesley |last=Goldberg}}{{cite news|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/05/23/supergirl-alura-alive-erica-durance/|title=Supergirl's Erica Durance previews major Alura reveal|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 23, 2018|first=Natalie|last=Abrams}} In 2019, Durance and her Smallville co-star Tom Welling reprised their roles as Lois and Clark in the Batwoman episode of the Arrowverse crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths".{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/11/21/crisis-on-infinite-earths-smallville-erica-durance-preview/|title=Erica Durance on the 'bizarre' Smallville reunion in 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'|work=EW|date=November 21, 2019|first=Chancellor|last=Agard}}{{cite news|last=Agard |first=Chancellor|title=See Smallville's Tom Welling, Erica Durance reunite for Arrowverse's 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/26/smallville-tom-welling-erica-durance-photo-arrowverse-crisis-crossover/|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 26, 2019}}
Durance has appeared in several Lifetime and Hallmark films, including I Me Wed (2007), Wedding Planner Mystery (2014), Color My World with Love (2022) and A Scottish Love Scheme (2024).{{cite news|last1=Lekic|first1=Raquel|title=From ‘Smallville’ Star to Hallmark Sweetheart — See Our 8 Favorite Erica Durance Movies, Ranked|url=https://www.firstforwomen.com/posts/entertainment/erica-durance|work=First for Women|date=February 27, 2024}}
Personal life
Durance was previously married to Wesley Parker. In 2001, she began dating Canadian actor David Palffy. They married in 2005 and divorced in 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2025/04/01/erica-durance-new-man-after-divorce-smallville/?adid=social-tw%2F|title= 'Smallville' Star Erica Durance Finalizes Divorce Moves On With New Man|date=April 1, 2025|access-date= April 2, 2025|work=TMZ}} Durance and Palffy have two sons.{{cite web|title=Erica Durance & David Palffy Split After More Than 20 Years Together|url=https://extratv.com/2023/04/19/erica-durance-and-david-palffy-split-after-more-than-20-years-together/|work=Extra|date=April 19, 2023}} She also has a stepson from her husband's previous relationship.{{cite web|title=Erica Durance on motherhood and advice for her 'Saving Hope' alter ego |url=http://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/02015093018932/erica-durance-motherhood-saving-hope/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202010203/http://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/02015093018932/erica-durance-motherhood-saving-hope/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-02-02 |work=Hello!|date=September 30, 2015}}
Durance is a supporter of World Vision Canada.{{cite web|title=Erica Durance|url=http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/wedding-planner-mystery/cast/erica-durance|access-date=January 7, 2016|publisher=Hallmark Movies and Mysteries}} In August 2006, she co-hosted the Superman/Batman #26 art auction with Jeph Loeb at the Wizard World Chicago convention. The auction raised $70,000.{{cite web|title=Superman/Batman #26 art auction to benefit Sam Loeb College Scholarship Fund|url=http://www.samloeb4.org/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619011446/http://www.samloeb4.org/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-06-19|access-date=June 19, 2016}}{{cite web|first=Dave| last=Richards|title=WWC: SAM LOEB COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND CHARITY AUCTION|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=7808|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314132232/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=7808|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-14|publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=August 6, 2006|access-date=March 14, 2016}} The event honored Loeb's son, Sam Loeb, who died at age 17 after a long battle with bone cancer, and all of its proceeds went to the Sam Loeb College Scholarship Fund.{{cite web|title=Comic book writer starts scholarship in son's name|url=http://www.dailynebraskan.com/comic-book-writer-starts-scholarship-in-son-s-name/article_0cad6c01-1906-549b-918d-9b1606d58072.html|publisher= The Daily Nebraskan|date=April 25, 2006|access-date=January 7, 2016}}
Accolades
Durance was ranked No. 38 on FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" in 2006 and #20 in 2007, #15 in 2008, and #14 in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.film.com/photos/fhms-100-sexiest-women-in-the-world-2008/attachment/15-erica-durance-fhm-magazine-sexiest-100 |title=FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World |work=Film |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128042205/http://www.film.com/photos/fhms-100-sexiest-women-in-the-world-2008/attachment/15-erica-durance-fhm-magazine-sexiest-100 |archive-date=2016-01-28 }} She has also appeared on the cover of FHM and Maxim magazine. In 2009, Durance was on Entertainment Weekly's Sci-fi Hotties Women.{{cite web|url=http://ew.com/gallery/sci-fi-hotties-09-women/355253_erica-duranceljpg/5|title=Sci-fi Hotties of '09: The Women|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=January 8, 2016}} BuddyTV ranked her #26 on its TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2009, and #16 on its 2010 list.{{cite web |title=TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2010 |url=https://www.buddytv.com/tvs-100-sexiest-women-of-2010/ |access-date=January 13, 2012 |publisher=BuddyTV}} In 2012, BuddyTV ranked Durance #9 on their list of Summer 2012's Sexiest Stars.{{cite web |title=Summer 2012's Sexiest Stars: TV's Hottest Women |url=https://www.buddytv.com/summer-2012s-sexiest-stars-tvs-hottest-women/ |access-date=May 30, 2012 |publisher=BuddyTV}} Hello! magazine listed her as one of Canada's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2012.
Film
File:Ericadurance2.jpg, 2006]]
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Role ! scope="col" ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref |
|---|
| 2002
| data-sort-value="Untold, The" | The Untold | Tara Knowles | |
| 2003
| Johanna | credit as Erica Parker |
| 2004
| {{sortname|The|Bridge|nolink=1}} | Amy | Short film | |
| 2006
| {{sortname|The|Butterfly Effect 2}} | Julie Miller | |
| 2010
| Sophie and Sheba | Natalia | |
| 2012
| Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie | Paris Waitress | |
| 2015
| Painkillers | Trudy | |
Television
| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Role ! scope="col" ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Ref |
| 2001
| data-sort-value="Lone Gunmen, The" | The Lone Gunmen | Dancer | Episode: "Maximum Buyers" | |
| rowspan=2| 2003
| Devil Winds | Kara Jensen | Television film, credit as Erica Parker |
| 111 Gramercy Park
| Maddy O'Donnell | Television film |
| rowspan=5|2004
| {{sortname|The|Chris Isaak Show}} | Ashley | Episode: "Let the Games Begin", credit as Erica Parker | |
| Tru Calling
| Angela Todd | Episode: "Drop Dead Gorgeous" | |
| Andromeda
| Amira | Episode: "Time Out of Mind" | |
| Stargate SG-1
| Krista James | Episode: "Affinity" | |
| data-sort-value="Collector, The" | The Collector
| Rachel Slate | Episode: "Another Collector" | |
| 2004–2011
| Recurring role (season 4) | |
| 2006
| Carina | Television film |
| 2007
| I Me Wed | Isabelle Darden | Television film |
| rowspan=3|2009
| {{sortname|The|Building|nolink=1}} | Jules Wilde | Television film | |
| Final Verdict
| style="white-space: nowrap;" | Megan Washington | Television film | |
| Beyond Sherwood Forest
| Maid Marian | Television film |
| 2011
| Samantha Masters | Episode: "Angels in Chains" |
| rowspan=2|2012
| Annie Bilson | Episode: "Gorilla My Dreams" |
| 6 passi nel giallo
| Angela/Christine | Episode: "Gemelle" |
| 2012–2017
| Dr. Alex Reid | Main role, 85 episodes | |
| 2014
| style="white-space: nowrap;" | Wedding Planner Mystery | Carnegie Kincaid | Television film | {{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wedding_planner_mystery/|title=Wedding Planner Mystery|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}}{{cite web|last1=Cogdill|first1=Oline|title=Hallmark Movies & Mysteries|url=https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/blog-article/4620-hallmark-movies-mysteries|website=Mystery Scene Magazine|publisher=KBS Communications, Inc.|access-date=January 31, 2018|language=en-gb}} |
| 2017–2019
| Alura Zor-El | Recurring role, 10 episodes | |
| rowspan="3'| 2019
| Batwoman | Lois Lane | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 2" | |
| data-sort-value="Christmas Chalet, The" | The Christmas Chalet
| Grace | Television film |
| Christmas Stars
| Layla | Television film |
| rowspan="1'| 2020
| Lauren Campbell | Episode: "Family Plot" | |
| rowspan="2'| 2021
| data-sort-value="Enchanted Christmas Cake, The" | The Enchanted Christmas Cake | Gwen | Television film | |
| Open by Christmas
| Simone | Television film | |
| rowspan="4'| 2022
| North to Home | Hannan | Television film | |
| Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez
| Zenya | Television film |
| Color My World with Love
| Emma | Television film | {{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/hallmark-to-debut-romance-centered-on-lead-character-with-down-syndrome-exclusive-182526|title=Hallmark to Debut Romance Centered on Lead Character With Down Syndrome (Exclusive)|work=ET Online| date=April 13, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Philiana|last=Ng|title=Here's Your First Look at Hallmark's Groundbreaking Romance 'Color My World With Love' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.etonline.com/heres-your-first-look-at-hallmarks-groundbreaking-romance-color-my-world-with-love-exclusive-184202|work=ET|access-date=June 1, 2022|date=May 18, 2022}} |
| We Need a Little Christmas
| Julie | Television film |
| rowspan="2'| 2023
| Unexpected Grace | Noelle | Television film | |
| Ms. Christmas Comes to Town
| Amanda/Ms. Holiday | Television film | |
| rowspan="4'| 2024
| data-sort-value="Scottish Love Scheme, A" | A Scottish Love Scheme | Lily | Television film |
| Murder in a Small Town
| Emma O'Brea | Episode: "Prized Possessions" |
| Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane
| Penny | Television film | |
| Private Princess Christmas
| Queen of Wingravia | Television film | |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref |
|---|
| 2004
| rowspan=2|Saturn Award |Best Supporting Actress on Television | rowspan=2|Smallville | rowspan=7 {{nom}} |
| 2005 |
| 2008
|Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series |
| 2010
|Saturn Award | rowspan=2|Smallville |{{cite web| url =http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/inception-walking-dead-top-saturn-160979?page=3| title=Inception, Walking Dead Top Saturn Awards Nominations| work = The Hollywood Reporter|author=Nordyke, Kimberly | date=February 24, 2011|access-date = February 26, 2011 }} |
| 2011 |
| 2012
| rowspan=2|Canadian Screen Awards |Best Actress in a Dramatic Role | rowspan=2|Saving Hope |
| 2016 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|1570568}}
- {{Instagram|durance.erica}}
- [https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/erica-durance/3030057092/ Erica Durance] at TV Guide
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Durance, Erica}}
Category:Actresses from Calgary
Category:Canadian expatriate actresses in the United States
Category:Canadian film actresses
Category:Canadian television actresses