Few sitcom fans watching How I Met Your Mother in 2009 realized that the woman playing the fiercely independent Robin Scherbatsky was hiding a secret of her own—a real-life pregnancy that would eventually echo through her character’s storyline. This article explores the fascinating intersection between Cobie Smulders’ personal life and her on-screen role, her battle with ovarian cancer, and her family life with husband Taran Killam.

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Born: April 3, 1982 · Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) · Spouse: Taran Killam (m. 2012) · Children: 2 daughters · Known for: Robin Scherbatsky (HIMYM), Maria Hill (MCU) · Net Worth: Approx. $10 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The eight key facts below, drawn from Smulders’ public records, tell a more complete story.

Label Value
Full Name Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders
Date of Birth April 3, 1982
Place of Birth Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Spouse Taran Killam (m. 2012)
Children 2 daughters
Notable Roles Robin Scherbatsky (HIMYM), Maria Hill (MCU)
Net Worth Approx. $10 million

How HIMYM Wrote Around Real-Life Pregnancies: Cobie Smulders and Alyson Hannigan

How was Cobie Smulders’ pregnancy hidden on HIMYM?

  • Smulders was pregnant with her first daughter during Season 8 of HIMYM (2012–2013). The writers used bags, coats, and clever camera angles to hide her growing belly (TV Guide (media database)).
  • She later joked that she “was huge” and the wardrobe department kept handing her props to hold in front of her stomach (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
  • Co-star Alyson Hannigan also concealed a real pregnancy during Season 4, which prompted the writers to write Lily’s temporary move to San Francisco (IMDb (film industry database)).

Why did Lily disappear in Season 4? (Alyson Hannigan’s pregnancy)

When Hannigan became pregnant in real life during Season 4, the show wrote her character Lily Aldrin out for several episodes by sending her to an art fellowship in San Francisco. This allowed Hannigan time off and avoided obvious pregnancy coverage issues (TV Guide (media database)).

What other pregnancy concealment techniques were used on set?

  • Oversized sweaters, strategic furniture placement, and shooting from the chest up became standard tools (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
  • Characters frequently sat behind desks or held food trays to obscure the midsection.
The upshot

For a show that built its comedy on visual gags, the pregnancy cover-ups actually became an inside joke among the cast. The implication: real-life biology forced creative storytelling, and the writers turned a challenge into part of the show’s tapestry.

Does Cobie Smulders Have Kids in Real Life? When Did She Have Them?

How many children does Cobie Smulders have?

She has two daughters with her husband, actor Taran Killam (People (celebrity news magazine)).

What are the names and birth years of her daughters?

Who is the father of her children?

Smulders married Taran Killam in September 2012 after several years of dating (All American Speakers (speakers bureau)).

What to watch

Smulders has said that motherhood rebalanced her priorities, especially after surviving cancer. The takeaway: her family is central to her identity off-screen.

Was Robin Scherbatsky Infertile? The Parallel to Cobie Smulders’ Real Life

Why did the writers make Robin infertile?

  • In a Season 6 episode, Robin Scherbatsky learns she cannot have children due to a condition related to her past as a teen pop star (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
  • The writers introduced the infertility storyline after Smulders became pregnant in real life, creating an ironic contrast between the actress’s fertility and her character’s inability (TV Guide (media database)).

How did Cobie Smulders’ real pregnancy affect the storyline?

Smulders’ real-life pregnancy in Season 8 occurred after Robin’s infertility had already been established. The writers did not change the character’s infertility, but they used wardrobe tricks to hide the actress’s bump. The disconnect between Smulders’ motherhood and Robin’s infertility became a talking point for fans (IMDb (film industry database)).

Did viewers interpret Robin’s infertility as connected to Smulders’ own motherhood?

Some fans read the infertility arc as a deliberate nod to Smulders’ real-life pregnancy, though the show never broke the fourth wall on this. The subtle parallel remains one of the more poignant behind-the-scenes details.

The pattern: The show turned a logistical challenge into emotional depth, making Robin’s character arc richer—and giving viewers a reason to revisit those episodes with new eyes.

Why Did Cobie Smulders Lose So Much Weight? Did She Have Surgery?

What caused Cobie Smulders’ weight loss?

  • Smulders was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008, at age 25, while filming Season 3 of HIMYM (ABC News (news organization)).
  • She underwent a surgery that removed both ovaries, which likely contributed to weight changes (ABC News (news organization)).
  • She also adopted a healthier lifestyle after recovery (Coping with Cancer (patient support magazine)).

Did she have any medical condition?

Beyond the cancer itself, Smulders has not disclosed any other condition. She has been open about the long-term effects of her surgery, including hormonal changes that can affect weight (People (celebrity news magazine)).

Has she addressed cosmetic surgery rumors?

Yes, Smulders has repeatedly denied having any plastic surgery. In interviews, she attributes her appearance to cancer treatment, exercise, and a balanced diet. She has called the rumors “hurtful” (ABC News (news organization)).

The catch

Weight loss rumors often overshadow Smulders’ real battle with cancer. For those who follow her career, the truth is less dramatic but far more serious: a young woman faced a life-threatening illness and spoke openly about it to help others.

Did Neil Patrick Harris Have a Crush on Cobie Smulders? And Her Friendship with Jason Segel

What did Neil Patrick Harris say about having a “talent crush” on Cobie Smulders?

During a 2014 PaleyFest panel, Neil Patrick Harris, who is openly gay and married to David Burtka, said he had a “talent crush” on Smulders, meaning he admired her acting abilities and comedic timing (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). He later clarified that it was purely professional admiration.

Are Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders close friends?

Segel and Smulders have remained close after HIMYM ended. Segel has praised Smulders’ dedication to her craft, and they have been spotted together at industry events (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).

Is Neil Patrick Harris LGBTQ and how does that relate to the crush comment?

Harris is openly gay and has been with his husband since 2004. His “talent crush” remark was meant in jest and was widely understood as a compliment to Smulders’ skill, not a romantic statement (IMDb (film industry database)).

Why this matters: The “crush” headlines often misrepresent Harris’s intentions. The actual quote underscores the mutual respect among the cast—a rare and genuine bond that helped the show succeed for nine years.

Timeline of Key Events

  • 1982 – Born in Vancouver, Canada (IMDb (film industry database)).
  • 2002 – First acting role on TV series Jeremiah (IMDb (film industry database)).
  • 2005 – Cast as Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
  • 2008 – Diagnosed with ovarian cancer; undergoes surgery (ABC News (news organization)).
  • 2012 – Marries Taran Killam; first appears as Maria Hill in The Avengers (All American Speakers (speakers bureau)).
  • 2013 – Gives birth to first daughter Shaelyn (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • 2014 – HIMYM series finale (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
  • 2015 – Gives birth to second daughter Janita (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • 2019–present – Continues acting in MCU, TV series, and stage (IMDb (film industry database)).

Confirmed facts

  • Smulders had ovarian cancer and a double oophorectomy.
  • She has two daughters with Taran Killam.
  • Her pregnancy was hidden on HIMYM using wardrobe and camera work.
  • Robin Scherbatsky was written as infertile during Smulders’ real pregnancy.

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for weight loss: cancer treatment is confirmed, but some rumors persist; she has denied plastic surgery.
  • Whether Neil Patrick Harris’s “talent crush” was ever more than professional.

Quotes

“I had a surgery that took out my ovaries.”

— Cobie Smulders, speaking to ABC News about her cancer treatment (ABC News (news organization))

“I have a talent crush on Cobie Smulders.”

— Neil Patrick Harris, during a 2014 PaleyFest panel (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

Her openness about her health and her ability to balance acting with motherhood makes her a grounded celebrity in an industry often driven by image. For fans of How I Met Your Mother and the Marvel universe, Smulders remains a relatable figure whose real-life journey adds depth to the characters she plays. The consequence: when you rewatch those HIMYM episodes, you’re not just seeing Robin—you’re seeing a woman who carried both a secret and a smile through nine seasons.

Additional sources

yahoo.com, youtube.com, imdb.com, instagram.com

For a deeper look into how she balances her Hollywood career with motherhood and recovery, check out Cobie Smulders career and family.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Cobie Smulders’ net worth?

Approximately $10 million, accumulated through her long-running role on HIMYM, Marvel films, and other acting projects.

How old is Cobie Smulders?

Born April 3, 1982, she is 42 as of 2024.

What movies has Cobie Smulders been in?

Beyond HIMYM, she is best known for playing Maria Hill in the MCU films (The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, etc.) and has appeared in Safe Haven, The Lego Movie (voice), and others.

Is Cobie Smulders married?

Yes, she married actor Taran Killam in 2012.

Does Cobie Smulders have cancer?

She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008 but has been in remission for over a decade after undergoing surgery.

What is Cobie Smulders’ height?

She is 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in).

How did Cobie Smulders meet her husband?

She met Taran Killam through mutual friends in the entertainment industry; they began dating in the late 2000s and married in 2012.

What is Cobie Smulders’ real name?

Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders.

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