Phoebe Tonkin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phoebe Tonkin
Tonkin in 2014
Born	Phoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin (1989-07-12) 12 July 1989 (age 36) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2005–present
Works	Filmography other
Spouse(s)	Bernard Lagrange ​ (m. 2025)​
Awards	Full list

Phoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin (born 12 July 1989) is an Australian actress. She is well-known for her roles in popular TV shows like H₂O: Just Add Water, The Secret Circle, and The Originals. She has also starred in several movies and recently won an AACTA Award for her acting.

Early Life and Education

Phoebe Tonkin was born in Sydney, Australia, on 12 July 1989. She grew up in a suburb called Mosman.

When she was four years old, Phoebe started taking dance classes. She learned different styles like classical ballet, hip hop, contemporary dance, and tap dance. At age 12, she began studying acting at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). Phoebe later graduated from Queenwood School for Girls.

Acting Career

Starting Out and Becoming Famous

In 2005, Phoebe Tonkin got her first big role as Cleo Sertori in the Australian children's TV series H₂O: Just Add Water. In this show, three teenage girls discover they can turn into mermaids. Phoebe worked hard to improve her swimming for the role.

The show first aired in July 2006 and became very popular around the world, reaching over 250 million viewers. In 2008, Phoebe was nominated for "Best Lead Actress in a Television Series" at the Australian Film Institute Awards. The series ran for three seasons, ending in April 2010.

Gaining International Recognition

Phoebe Tonkin at an event in 2012

After H₂O: Just Add Water, Phoebe appeared in other Australian TV shows like Packed to the Rafters and Home and Away. In September 2010, she made her movie debut in the Australian action film Tomorrow, When the War Began. She played Fiona Maxwell, a character in a story about teenagers fighting an invading army.

In January 2011, Phoebe moved to Los Angeles to pursue more acting opportunities. She was cast as Faye Chamberlain in The CW's supernatural drama series The Secret Circle. The show was about a group of young witches. Critics praised Phoebe's performance, calling her a standout star. Even though the show was popular, it only ran for one season.

In August 2010, Phoebe also filmed the horror movie Bait 3D. In this film, a group of people are trapped in a supermarket with great white sharks after a huge tsunami. She worked again with her H₂O: Just Add Water co-star Cariba Heine in this movie.

In August 2012, Phoebe joined the cast of The CW series The Vampire Diaries. She played Hayley, a friend of one of the main characters. She reunited with another H₂O: Just Add Water co-star, Claire Holt, on this show.

In January 2013, a spin-off series called The Originals was announced, focusing on the original vampire family from The Vampire Diaries. Phoebe's character, Hayley, became a main character in this new series. Claire Holt also joined the cast, making it the third time Phoebe and Claire worked together.

In 2017, Phoebe was cast in the Australian drama Safe Harbour, which was about a group of Australians who find a boat of refugees. The series received great reviews and won an International Emmy Award for Best TV Movie or Miniseries.

In 2019, Phoebe wrote and directed her first short film called Furlough. She also joined the Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program, which helps female directors.

Becoming an Established Actress

In April 2021, it was announced that Phoebe would star in a horror film called Night Shift. In 2023, she was part of a historical fiction podcast called The Foxes of Hydesville.

In 2024, Phoebe starred as Frances Bell in Boy Swallows Universe, a Netflix miniseries. Her performance in the show received a lot of praise from critics and viewers. The author of the book the series is based on, Trent Dalton, highly praised her acting. For this role, Phoebe was nominated for a Logie Award and won the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Phoebe's film Kid Snow also premiered in 2024. She played Sunny in this drama film and was nominated for another AACTA Award for her performance. In February 2024, it was announced that Phoebe would star in a new series called The Dark Lake.

Other Projects

Fashion

Phoebe Tonkin at a Chanel event in Sydney (2012)

Phoebe Tonkin is known for her great sense of style and is often called a fashion icon. She has promoted Australian fashion and worked with big brands like Chanel and Tiffany & Co..

From 2015 to 2017, Phoebe was the face of the swimwear brand "Matteau Swim." She also supported the clothing line for Witchery in 2015. In September 2017, she appeared in an ad campaign for Smythson.

Phoebe is a brand ambassador for Chanel. She has done photoshoots and digital campaigns for the brand.

In October 2020, Phoebe launched her own clothing brand called "Lesjour!". It's a sustainable loungewear brand inspired by 1970s fashion. She created the brand during the COVID-19 pandemic when her acting work was affected.

Advocacy and Causes

In 2012, Phoebe started a health website called Your Zen Life with her friend Teresa Palmer. She later stepped down from the site due to her busy work schedule.

Phoebe has shown support for various social causes. In 2017, she encouraged Australians to vote in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey to support legalizing same-sex marriage. She also attended Women's Marches to support women's, immigrant, and LGBTQ rights.

In 2019, Phoebe worked with the environmental group NRDC. She spoke about issues like banning pesticides and protecting oceans from oil spills. She has always been aware of her environmental impact.

Since 2015, Phoebe has been a Global Ambassador for Plan International, a humanitarian organization. In July 2024, she became a National Ambassador for their Australian branch, focusing on helping children in crisis.

Personal Life

Phoebe Tonkin was in a four-year relationship with American actor Paul Wesley, who was also her co-star on The Vampire Diaries. They ended their relationship in 2017.

On 10 May 2025, Phoebe married art dealer Bernard Lagrange in New York City. Her friends and co-stars Claire Holt and Shelley Hennig were bridesmaids at the wedding.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Other Appearances

• Music video: "Don't Let Go" (2012) by Miles Fisher, as Female lead
• Podcast: The Foxes of Hydesville (2023), as Adelaide Granger

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Phoebe Tonkin para niños