Anna Torv biography, net worth, height, husband, age, awards, family 2025

Biography of Anna Torv

Anna Torv is an Australian actress best known for her captivating performances as Olivia Dunham in the sci-fi series Fringe and as the brilliant Doctor Wendy Carr in Netflix's Mindhunter. Net worth: $6 million.

Her Childhood and Youth

Anna Torv was born on June 7, 1979, in Melbourne (Australia), the daughter of Susan Carmichael and Hans Torv. Her father is Estonian-born (raised in Scotland), while her mother has Scottish roots.

Anna's parents divorced when she was 6 years old. Anna, her mother, and younger brother Dylan moved to Mudgeeraba, Queensland. It was here that she discovered her love for surfing and horseback riding – passions she still enjoys today.

The actress tells about her absolutely happy childhood. We were constantly outside, playing with kids of all ages; we went hiking and barely watched any TV, – the girl recalls.

Her Career

"My mother encouraged what I was good at, and I knew I wasn't going to become a scientist or mathematician," Anna Torv recalls. When it came time to choose her future profession, 17-year-old Torv faced no family opposition and confidently moved from the provinces to Sydney, where she applied to Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Anna received her first movie role in 2002: she starred in the Australian movie White Collar Blue. Then came a series of TV shows and movies that were successful in Australia but relatively unknown worldwide. On the set of these movies, Torv showed herself as a hard-working and talented actress.

Anna Torv is on the screen for the first time

According to Zoomboola.com, in 2006, Anna moved to London. Initially, she faced some work challenges, but the talented blonde didn't struggle with lack of opportunities for long: she was invited to star in the British TV series Mistresses and the movie Frankenstein – an exciting retelling of Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece. In addition, Torv voiced the video game Heavenly Sword. The actress admits she doesn't know much about video games, but found this one particularly beautiful and realistic. "It's not Pac-Man," Anna laughs.

However, her biggest break was yet to come. Anna accidentally found out about the casting in the American science fiction series Fringe and sent the producers her video audition. Series creator J. J. Abrams (Stay Alive, Star Trek, Star Wars: The Force Awakens), impressed by her boldness, immediately selected her from over 300 candidates.

Torv landed the role of FBI agent Olivia Dunham, investigating mysterious crimes while exploring phenomena like telepathy, levitation, reincarnation, and genetic mutation. In the second season, Anna also played Dunham's double from a parallel universe.

Her dedication earned the actress numerous prestigious awards and a record-breaking achievement: she became the first person to receive 4 Saturn Awards. The acting experience brought Anna not only fame but also close friendships with talented co-stars Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, and Jessica Nicole. She developed warm, lasting friendships with all of them. Unsurprisingly, after filming wrapped in 2013, Torv returned to Australia, turning down US offers in favor of supporting roles in Australian films. "I just couldn't jump into another series right away – I needed a break," the actress explains. "After those five years, I just wanted to go home and see my family. I wanted to feel the excitement of meeting and working with different people again."

Anna Torv and Joshua Jackson in the TV series Fringe

In 2016, Torv returned to the USA to star in the horror movie Stephanie, which received modest reviews from the critics. In parallel, a new TV series with her participation was released in Australia. In Secret City, she stars as political journalist Harriet Dunkley, who uncovers a conspiracy that puts innocent people – and herself – in danger.

In fall 2017, Netflix launched the American drama series Mindhunter. Set in the late 1970s, the story follows two FBI agents who interview serial killers to solve complex cases. David Fincher (House of Cards, Gone Girl, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and actress Charlize Theron are the executive producers of the project.

Anna stars as Dr. Wendy Carr – a character based on real-life Dr. Anne Wolbert Burgess, a pioneer in treating victims of violence and trauma. The series was renewed for a second season six months before the first season even premiered.

Personal Life of Anna Torv

In December 2008, Anna Torv married Mark Valley, her Fringe co-star who's nearly 15 years her senior. The couple met on set and had a modest wedding ceremony after a whirlwind romance.

However, the marriage wasn't meant to last. They divorced a year later. Since then, Anna hasn't been publicly linked to anyone else – she appears to be single.

Her paternal aunt, Scottish journalist and writer Anna Murdoch Mann, was married to Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch for over 30 years. Torv gets frustrated when she's recognized more for her connection to Murdoch than for her acting achievements.

Anna Torv Now

Anna Torv continues starring in Mindhunter as Wendy Carr and in Secret City as Harriet Dunkley. Given the success of both shows, they'll likely run for multiple seasons.

Frank Williams

Anna Torv is GREAT in the Sci fi series FRINGE. I highly recommend it.

2021-07-18 02:38:59
David Alvarez

Amazing. The character Torv in the series «mindhunter» played a real person, a doctor, who actually existed. I am in favor of true such works

2021-05-01 20:50:09
Marlene Rodriguez

I have never heard of Anna Torv, but became interested in the series «Mistresses» with her participation. I`ll have to look!

2021-04-19 12:19:34
Cody Nathan Bailey

I was struck by the drama series «Mindhunter», where Torv starred. I don`t miss new items on Netflix :)

2021-04-04 08:03:41
Luis Joseph Cooper

Me, as a lover of the detective genre, watched the series «Fringe» with Anna Torv. Not the best, but still good for a change.

2021-03-23 23:48:55
Shelly Pierce

Sweet blonde actress Anna Torv is pleasant to me purely outwardly. And I also like her character in «Fringe».

2021-02-20 12:09:10