Evangeline Lilly is a Canadian actress and author best known for her breakout role as Kate Austen on the popular television series Lost (2004-2010), for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe nomination. Lilly’s career took off with Lost, and she subsequently appeared in blockbuster films, including her role as Tauriel in The Hobbit film series and as Hope van Dyne (The Wasp) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Ant-Man (2015).
Residence:
Evangeline Lilly resides in Hawaii, a place she fell in love with while filming Lost. Hawaii’s beauty and laid-back lifestyle made it her home, and she continues to live there when not working on projects elsewhere.
Revenue and Net Worth:
As of recent estimates, Lilly’s net worth is approximately $20 million. Her revenue sources stem largely from her roles in high-grossing franchises like The Hobbit and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both of which are among some of Hollywood’s most successful film franchises.
In addition to acting, Lilly is also an author and has written a children’s book series, The Squickerwonkers, blending her creativity into the literary world.
Family:
Lilly was in a long-term relationship with Lost co-star Dominic Monaghan, who played Charlie Pace on the show. They dated from 2004 to 2009 but eventually went their separate ways. Later, she began dating Norman Kali, a production assistant she met while working on Lost.
Lilly and Norman Kali have two children together. Although she keeps details about her family out of the public eye, Lilly has mentioned that she values privacy and a grounded lifestyle, especially for her children, aiming to keep them away from the pressures of Hollywood.
Interesting Facts About Evangeline Lilly:
- Lost Fame: Evangeline Lilly is best known for her role as Kate Austen in Lost, a series that won multiple awards and became a cultural phenomenon. Lilly’s role led her to multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe, making her one of the most recognizable TV actresses of the 2000s.
- MCU’s First Female Superhero with a Title Role: In Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018), Lilly became the first woman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to have a title role as a superhero, marking a significant milestone for female representation in action films.
- Started as a Model for Financial Aid: Lilly was first scouted by the Ford Modeling Agency while in her early twenties, initially using modeling to fund her college studies at the University of British Columbia, where she studied International Relations.
- Writing Talent: Lilly is an accomplished writer and has published a children’s book series titled The Squickerwonkers. She drew inspiration from her love of whimsical stories and characters, blending darker themes into children’s literature to create her unique style.
- Marvel Universe Star: In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Lilly plays Hope van Dyne, a.k.a. The Wasp, alongside Paul Rudd in the Ant-Man series. This role expanded her fan base globally and made her one of the few actresses to star as a superhero in multiple MCU films.
- Fitness Enthusiast: Known for her dedication to fitness, Lilly performs her own stunts whenever possible and trains rigorously, especially for her role as The Wasp. She has expressed a love for physical fitness, which she says helped her build confidence and discipline.
- Passionate about Sustainability: Lilly is committed to a sustainable lifestyle and often advocates for eco-friendly practices. She’s voiced her concerns about environmental issues and has worked to implement sustainable practices in her own life.
- Minimal Acting Experience Pre-Lost: Before her big break on Lost, Lilly had almost no professional acting experience. She only took on small roles, appearing briefly in shows and films to support her studies. Despite this, she landed the prominent role of Kate Austen after her second audition, impressing producers with her natural talent.
- Multilingual Background: Raised in a French-speaking family, Lilly is fluent in both English and French. Her Canadian background and bilingual skills have helped her connect with diverse audiences and occasionally influence her acting roles.
- Real-Life Interest in Martial Arts: Lilly has trained in martial arts not only for her film roles but also as a personal pursuit. She credits martial arts with building her mental discipline and physical strength, which has become central to her performances, especially in action-heavy films.