Elisha Cuthbert was a fixture on TV during the '90s. But since her time in the spotlight, the child actress stepped away from Hollywood.
Years after she starred in the hit drama series 24, Elisha, 43, is making a comeback after taking time to be with her children. For the first time since 2022, she starred in Prime Video's adaptation of Carley Fortune's novel Every Summer After in June 2026.
"I've been at this for a long time. I started when I was 11. And I just got to a point, when my husband and I had our second [child]," Elisha told People. "I just thought, this is a good time to be with the kids and without any distractions."
Keep reading to learn about Elisha's life outside of Hollywood…
© WireImageElisha's path to stardom started when she was 11
Elisha started acting at 11 years old
Elisha grew up in Quebec, Canada and started acting as a child. Her first televised appearance was as an extra on the children's show Are You Afraid of the Dark? She later became a regular on the show.
From 1997 to 2000, Elisha was the host of the educational TV show, Popular Mechanics for Kids. Her reporting on the show landed her an invitation to the White House by Hillary Clinton. Later, Elisha starred in films like Dancing on the Moon, Airspeed, and Lucky Girl.
© WireImageElisha's breakout role came in The Girl Next Door which saw her nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance at the MTV Movie Awards
Elisha's life as a Hollywood star
When she was 17, Elisha moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She landed a role as Kim Bauer in 24, alongside Kiefer Sutherland, a show she called "overwhelming and thrilling" in an interview with People.
The actress also starred in Old School and Love Actually, before appearing in her breakout role in The Girl Next Door. Later Elisha appeared in the horror film House of Wax with Paris Hilton and Chad Michael Murray, which landed her two nominations at the Teen Choice Awards.
© Aaron HarrisHer husband Dion retired from professional hockey in 2021
The actress fell in love with a hockey player
In 2008, Elisha met NHL player Dion Phaneuf through mutual friends. The two, who are both well known Canadians, fell in love. When they met, Dion was playing for the Calgary Flames. In 2012, the couple got engaged before tying the knot in 2013 on Prince Edward Island. The wedding was a big event in Canada, with over 300 guests taking over the small island.
Dion, 41, played his final game in 2019 and officially retired from the NHL in 2021. After leaving the sport, he went onto work with CaniBrands as the Strategic Advisor, and spends his time enjoying the outdoors in his home country.
© NHLI via Getty ImagesElisha welcomed her first child in 2017
Elisha and Dion's children
Four years after the couple said "I do" they welcomed their first child, daughter Zaphire in December 2017. And in 2022, they welcomed son Fable to the family. While Elisha and Dion keep their children out of the spotlight, the actress has been open about focusing on being a mom.
"Those first four years are — they go by so quickly," she told People. "They say it's, like, in the blink of an eye and they're like teenagers." Elisha added that she felt taking time off to be with her kids "felt important to me, and just felt right."
© Getty ImagesWhen not in Los Angeles for work, Elisha and Dion spend their time in her native Canada
Elisha's Canada lifestyle
Both Elisha and Dion are from Canada and enjoy their outdoorsy lifestyle there. While the actress spends a good amount of time in Los Angeles for her work, she spends a lot of her family time on a stunning waterfront estate on Prince Edward Island. And she seems to be doubling down on that lifestyle choice. In July 2026, Elisha sold her Hollywood home for just under $2 million.
Elisha doesn't share much about her personal life on Instagram, but Dion regularly shares moments of their life on the island on social media. He recently shared photos of a fishing trip he took there.
