Alison Elizabeth "Ali" Larter (born February 28, 1976) is an American actress best known for playing the dual roles of Niki Sanders and Tracy Strauss on the NBC science fiction drama Heroes. She also appeared in guest roles on several television shows in the 1990s. Her screen debut came in the 1999 film Varsity Blues, followed by the horror films House on Haunted Hill and Final Destination. Major supporting roles in the comedy Legally Blonde and the romantic comedy A Lot Like Love led her to lead roles as the titular character in the Bollywood film Marigold and in the 2009 thriller Obsessed. Larter achieved wider fame after her portrayal of video game heroine Claire Redfield in the successful films, Resident Evil: Extinction and Resident Evil: Afterlife. Larter frequently appears in "Hot" lists compiled by Maxim, FHM and Stuff as well as People magazine's "Best Dressed List" in 2007. After a three year relationship, Larter married actor Hayes MacArthur in a small ceremony in Maine in August 2009. The couple have a son, born December 2010. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ali Larter, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
February 28, 1976
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA
N/A
Acting
Alison Elizabeth Larter, born on 28 February 1976 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is a well-known American actress and former model. She gained early fame for her intriguing portrayal of the fictional model Allegra Coleman in a 1996 Esquire magazine hoax. Larter's acting career began in the late 1990s, featuring in various television shows. She made her film debut in the teen drama Varsity Blues in 1999, and soon after appeared in the horror flick House on Haunted Hill the same year. Larter solidified her reputation as a scream queen with her role as Clear Rivers in the Final Destination series, which ran from 2000 to 2003.
Throughout her career, Larter has taken on a variety of roles. She appeared in popular films such as Legally Blonde (2001), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), and the romantic comedy A Lot Like Love (2005). She has also starred in Bollywood's Marigold (2007) and the thriller Obsessed (2009). Larter gained widespread recognition for her dual roles as Niki Sanders and Tracy Strauss on the NBC series Heroes from 2006 to 2010. She also portrayed Claire Redfield in the Resident Evil film series from 2007 to 2016. Currently, Larter stars as Angela Norris in the upcoming Paramount+ series Landman, set to premiere in 2024.
As of April 2017, the films featuring Larter have collectively grossed over $1.31 billion worldwide. She has been featured in various media rankings, including Maxim and FHM, and was named one of People magazine's "Best Dressed" in 2007. In addition to acting, Larter authored a cookbook titled Kitchen Revelry: A Year of Festive Menus from My Home to Yours, released in September 2013.
Early Life
Larter was raised in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where she was born to Margaret, a realtor, and Danforth Larter, a trucking executive. She attended Carusi Middle School and graduated from Cherry Hill High School West. However, due to her modeling career, she did not complete her senior year. Her mother played an essential role in her early career, accompanying her to various modeling gigs until Larter turned 18. She described herself as a tomboy during her childhood.
Career Milestones
Larter's modeling career began when a scout discovered her at the age of 14. This led to her taking part in a commercial for the Philadelphia Phillies and signing with the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency in New York City. By age 17, she was modeling across countries like Australia, Italy, and Japan. During her time in Italy, she formed a close friendship with model Amy Smart.
In 1996, Larter's portrayal of Allegra Coleman in a hoax for Esquire magazine sparked significant interest in her. Following this, she landed her first acting roles in Suddenly Susan and Chicago Sons in 1997. Larter's breakout film role came in Varsity Blues, where she played Darcy Sears, earning her acclaim and further roles in projects like House on Haunted Hill and Final Destination.
Her role in Final Destination was particularly significant, grossing $112 million at the box office and establishing her as a prominent figure in the horror genre. Following this success, Larter continued to take on diverse roles in films and television, including a memorable performance in Legally Blonde as Brooke Taylor Windham.
After her stint in Heroes, Larter appeared in several more films, including Resident Evil: Extinction and Obsessed, further showcasing her versatility as an actress. Despite mixed reviews for some of her projects, she consistently demonstrated her acting prowess, earning praise for her performances.
Personal Life
Larter moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career and later spent three years in New York City, seeking to understand herself outside the pressures of Hollywood. In 2007, she got engaged to actor Hayes MacArthur, whom she met on the set of Homo Erectus. They married on 1 August 2009, in Kennebunkport, Maine. The couple has two children, a son born in 2010 and a daughter born in 2015. They currently reside in Idaho.
Ali Larter continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry, balancing her career alongside her family life. She remains a beloved actress known for her engaging performances and dynamic roles.
