Elisha Ann Cuthbert was born on Novemeber 30, 1982 to Kevin and Patricia Cuthbert, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Elisha is the eldest of three with a younger sister, Lee-Ann, and a younger brother, Jonathan. Her family moved to Greenfield Park, near Montreal shortly after, which resulted in Elisha learning a few words in French as a result of her surroundings.
Elisha began her career in 1989, as a model for various children’s clothing lines. She also became a foot model. She then made her first televised appearance in the horror-themed series for children, Are You Afraid of the Dark? in 1996 as a young girl in the episode, “The Tale of the Nightshift.” Elisha would later become a series regular, playing the character Megan during 1999-2000. At this time, Elisha also landed her first role in a feature film – the family drama Dancing on the Moon.
Elisha went on to star in several family-themed movies such as Nico the Unicorn, Time at the Top, Mail to the Chief, and an airplane thriller, Airspeed. During that time, Elisha also hosted the Canadian show, Popular Mechanics for Kids with Jay Baruchel. Her role as host sometimes required her to act as a foreign correspondent and was thus required to fly around the world despite her aversion to plane travel. Her reporting captured the attention of then First Lady, Hillary Clinton, who invited her to the White House.
In 2000, Elisha graduated from Centennial Regional High School and journeyed to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 17 to pursue a Hollywood acting career. Elisha had given herself a deadline of six months to make something of her trip and was about to return home when she was offered the part that would make her famous on American screens during the last week of her deadline. She was cast in the role of Kimberley Bauer, the daughter of CTU agent Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland), in the FOX action-thriller television series, 24. The show drew continual critical praise, though Elisha did not appear in the show’s 4th season and only guest-starred in two episodes during the 5th season. Elisha also reprised her role as Kim Bauer by lending her voice to 24: The Game, intended to be a storyline gap between season’s two and three, explaining for instance how Elisha’s character ended up working for CTU.
Elisha then starred in the Canadian television movie Lucky Girl (aka My Daughter’s Secret Life) in 2001. She portrayed a sixteen-year-old straight-A student who becomes addicted to gambling and struggles to overcome her addiction as the world around her collapses. Her powerful performance earned her the Gemini for “Best Actress in a Dramatic Program.” The prestigious Gemini is the Canadian equivalent of the Emmy.
Elisha began her Hollywood career with minor roles in film such as the hit comedy Old School, and Richard Curtis’ Love Actually. Her next film, The Girl Next Door, cast her in her first lead role as a burgeoning porn star, Danielle, alongside Emile Hirsch. Elisha had initial reservations about taking the part, but was persuaded by director Luke Greenfield into accepting. She researched the role by speaking to actual adult actresses from Wicked Pictures and Vivid Entertainment. Upon its release, the film received comparisons to Risky Business — although Elisha claims her character was not directly based on De Mornay’s character — and was noted for Elisha’s sex appeal. Critics were divided; some praised the film for its boldness, while others, notably Roger Ebert, described it for being gimmicky and exploitative. Elisha also auditioned for the role of Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man, the role eventually went to Kirsten Dunst.
In her next big-screen outing, Elisha starred with Paris Hilton and Chad Michael Murray in the 2005 remake of the classic horror film, House of Wax. Elisha, along with the rest of her cast mates, were made up to look haggard and frightened. In one scene, her character attempted to open her mouth while her lips were sealed with glue. For the sake of realism, Elisha opted for real superglue over prosthetics. However, despite her efforts, House of Wax was largely panned, with critics citing a range of flaws.
Following House of Wax, Elisha became involved in her third project where she took on the duties of co-star and co-producer of the indie film, The Quiet (formally titled Dot), contributing to its US$900,000 budget. She played Nina, a temperamental cheerleader who suffered from sexual abuse. Playing the character disturbed Elisha, who described the role as “dark and heavy.” The film, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, premiered at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and received a limited release in Los Angeles and New York City on August 25, 2006 before expanding regionally on September 1. Again, this film has recieved mixed reviews though Elisha was mostly praised for her performance by the critics.
In early 2006, Elisha also appeared in the music video for Weezer’s, “Perfect Situation,” where she played the group’s fictional original singer who threw a tantrum that led to Rivers Cuomo, the unlikely roadie, becoming the frontman of the band. Several months later, Elisha made a small appearance in the music video for Paris Hilton’s, “Nothing In This World.” Previously, Elisha was featured in the music video for Bon Jovi’s, “Have A Nice Day.”
Elisha is scheduled to appear in three additional feature films. The first, Captivity, is a thriller centered around a fashion model and her chauffeur who are being taunted by a psychopath who has them imprisoned in a cellar. This made movie history as it was the first Russian-American co-production. The second, He Was a Quiet Man, is a film with comedic and dramatic elements, the cast including Christian Slater and William H. Macy. Elisha plays Vanessa, who ends up a quadriplegic. The third, Cat Tale, is an animated film set in a civilized world of cats and dogs. Elisha will voice Cleo, “the feline daughter of a wealthy kitty litter baron.” Cat Tale is scheduled for release in 2008 by Walt Disney Pictures.
Reports indicated that Elisha would also be collaborating with Jamie Babbit and Camilla Belle again (previously collaborated in The Quiet) in the comedy, The Itty Bitty Titty Committee. However, neither Elisha nor Belle are listed in the IMDb entry for the film, and no further reports on the status of the film have been made.
Elisha, who enjoys painting, is also a devoted hockey fan and is currently a Los Angeles Kings season ticket holder. She does in fact supports many teams because her friends play for different teams but finds it easier to support the Kings at this moment in time. Her mother and brother are active in the sport, both playing on teams back home. Elisha also maintained her own blog on the NHL’s web site for a short time – no further posts have been made since November 2005.
Elisha began a relationship with Justin Timberlake’s personal assistant and best friend, Trace Ayala, and they became engaged in June 2004. Sometime in November 2005, Ayala remarked, “Neither one of us is in a hurry to get married.” The status of the engagement with Ayala remains uncertain though it is probable that they are no longer together.
Since then, Elisha has [reportedly] been dating ice hockey player, Sean Avery, and appeared on an MTV Cribs episode at Avery’s house. They were also together when Elisha was Punk’d in May, 2006. In a recent interview, Avery was asked when he was going to propose to Elisha: “You guys have been dating for more than a year, no wedding bells yet. Why not?” He answered, “[Laughs.] I’m still saving up for the ring. These Hollywood girls need a lot of diamonds. I have to wait for the new deal.”
Elisha regularly secures a place in FHM’s and Maxim’s annual Top 100 Sexiest/Hottest lists. Her highest ranking was #5 in the 2005 UK Edition of FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World list. She was ranked #14 in 2003, #10 in 2004, and #22 in 2006. The U.S. Edition ranked her #53 in 2003, #63 in 2004, and #54 in 2006. She was not listed in the U.S. 2005 list. Maxim magazine named her #92 in its 2006 Hot 100 list and features Elisha in their Girls of Maxim Gallery.
As of 2006, Elisha has stated that she would refuse to be photographed nude in film roles or magazines, and uses body doubles whenever necessary, specifying that she “like to keep some things to [herself].”
Elisha has also expressed an interest in returning to live in Montreal once she has reached her “higher goals” and “feel[s] content” about her career. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
Cinema Blend has all 3 trailers on their website for you to view, which includes the theatrical trailer; 30 second TV spot; & 15 second TV spot — I shall add screencaptures from each one a.s.a.p.!
So, keep checking back! I appreciate all the visitors lately btw — thanks! 