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- Hera Hilmar, born Hera Hilmarsdóttir on 27 December 1988, in Reykjavík, Iceland, is a well-known Icelandic actress known for her roles in international television and film.
- She gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Vanessa in the BBC Worldwide series “Da Vinci’s Demons,” which brought her international fame.
- Her acting career was influenced by her family, with both parents involved in the film industry; her mother, Thorey Sigthorsdottir, is an actress, and her father, Hilmar Oddsson, is a director.
- Apart from her role in “Da Vinci’s Demons,” Hera has played notable roles in “Life in a Fishbowl” and “Mortal Engines,” showcasing her versatility as an actress.
- She has a strong educational background in acting, having graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2011, which helped her refine her skills and contribute to her success in acting.
Who is Hera Hilmar?
Born on 27 December 1988, in Reykjavík, Iceland, Hera Hilmarsdóttir is a 35-year-old Icelandic actress. A formally educated actress, Hera rose to fame through her role as Vanessa in the hit television series “Da Vinci’s Demons”. Produced by BBC Worldwide, the show centers around a fictional version of the early life of Leonardo Da Vinci. Shown in more than 120 countries, the show made Hera a true star, and perhaps the most famous Icelandic actress. Her other significant roles include Eik in “Life is a Fishbowl”, one of the best movies in her home country, and Hester Shaw in “Mortal Engine”, perhaps her biggest movie to date.
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Early Life, Family and Education
Hera was born into an Icelandic family, to mother Thorey and father Hilmar. Thorey Sigthorsdottir is an accomplished actress herself, having starred in a myriad of Icelandic movies and TV shows, in addition to roles in other European productions. It turns out that Hera’s mother wasn’t the only one enamored with cinematography, as her spouse is none other than Hilmar Oddsson, one of the best Icelandic directors of all time.
Their influence and artistic prowess inspired young Hera to become an actress. From an early age, she displayed a pronounced infatuation with acting, and with the guidance of Thorey and Hilmar, she learned the ropes of stage performance before the age of 10 and even appeared briefly in several of her father’s movies.
She subsequently attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, from where she graduated in 2011. Even though she had several credits to her name, Hera used her newly-found theoretical knowledge to become a better actress and expand her already impressive portfolio.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hera Hilmarsdóttir |
| Known For | Acting in “Da Vinci’s Demons”, “Life in a Fishbowl”, “Mortal Engines” |
| Profession/Occupation | Actress |
| Education | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Graduated in 2011) |
| Net Worth | Over $2 million as of 2024 |
| Parents | Mother: Thorey Sigthorsdottir, Father: Hilmar Oddsson |
| Date of Birth | 27 December 1988 |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Place of Birth | Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Ethnicity | Icelandic/White |
| Hair Color | Red (Ginger) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 1.7 m |
| Weight | Approximately 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Measurements | 32-24-34 inches |
| Awards | Nominated for and won Edda Awards; Selected as one of Europe’s Shooting Stars at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2015 |
| Notable Works/Awards | “Da Vinci’s Demons”, “Life in a Fishbowl”, “Mortal Engines”, Edda Awards for Best Leading Actress |
| Social Profile Links | Instagram, Twitter |
Career Beginnings
Hera made her debut on the silver screen at the tender age of 6, when she appeared in the famous Icelandic movie, “Tears of Stone”. The plot centers around Jon Leifs, a composer who spent most of his life in Nazi Germany and was praised by critics for his accurate portrayal of the life of this iconic artist.
Hera’s father was the director, which allowed her to grow accustomed to the acting profession. Afterwards, she appeared in “No Trace”, also a successful movie, but then Hera decided to take a break from acting and focus on her education.
So her next role was in “Quiet Storm”, a 2007 hit movie, and for her excellent performance, she was nominated for an Edda, the most prestigious award in Icelandic cinematography. In 2008, she starred in “Two Birds” by Rúnar Rúnarsson, which took the festival scene by storm after its premiere at the 2008 Cannes Festival. It even received a Palme d’Or nomination, which announced Hera’s arrival on the scene. Short of the Week, a popular website, described it as ‘perhaps the purest and most earnest 15 minutes of film I have ever experienced’.
Establishing Herself as a Star
2012 was a big year for this aspiring actress, as she was featured in three episodes of “Leaving”, as Paulina, and a few months later, fans could see her in “Anna Karenina” as Varya, and in “World Without End” as Margery. Both of these roles were met with positive critiques, which resulted in subsequent roles in “The Fifth Estate” and “We Are The Freaks”.
However, her biggest accomplishment to date was being cast as Vanessa Moschella in 23 episodes of “Da Vinci’s Demons”. The series was critically praised because of its subtle distortion of historical facts and events, using just a hint of fantasy and creative energy. 2014 saw Hera act in “Life in a Fishbowl” and “Get Santa”, then after a series of successful performances in “An Ordinary Man” and “The Ottoman Lieutenant”, Hera got her first lead role in a movie produced by a major studio.
She took on the part of Hester Shaw in “Mortal Engines”, and even though her performance was satisfactory, the movie became one of the biggest box office failures of all time, with losses clocking in at approximately $175 million.
In 2020, she moved on to work on “Óskin,” a short film. 2022 saw her featuring in “A Letter from Helga” while continuing her work on “See” (2019-2022). She was also a part of the cast that brought “Driving Mum” to life.
Personal Life: Does Hera Hilmar Have a Boyfriend?
When it comes to her romantic affairs, Hera has mastered the art of discretion. Across reliable sources, there’s a conspicuous absence of any concrete details regarding this facet of her life. Hera guards this aspect with utmost privacy, leaving fans to speculate in vain. Early relationships remain shrouded in mystery, much like her current status. Not a whisper exists of her attending public events in the company of a significant other, nor does her social media offer any clues. Remarkably, there’s been nary a hint of controversy surrounding her romantic life. As far as the scant available information—or lack thereof—indicates, Hera identifies as heterosexual and presently unattached. Her time finds balance amidst the vibrant locales of Los Angeles, Reykjavik, and London.
Social Media Presence
Hera diligently shares updates on her public profiles and actively interacts with her fan base. With a staggering 130,000 followers on Instagram and a robust Twitter following of 7,800, Hera demonstrates a keen commitment to keeping her audience engaged and informed.
For Constellation Magazine by Mafalda Silva pic.twitter.com/NGw0YANErt
— Hera Hilmar (@HeraHilmar) March 7, 2017
Net Worth
Authoritative sources estimate that Hera’s net worth is over $2 million, as of 2024, accumulated from her more than a decade-long acting career on TV and the big screen.
