Claire Rankin

Originally from Prince Edward Island, Claire started her professional career in Toronto, moved it to Los Angeles and New York and has just recently returned home to Toronto.

She started dancing professionally at age 16 and performed such roles as "Louise" in Carousel and "Josie Pye" in Anne of Green Gables. She also is a singer and played "Cossette" in Les Miserables. After training with the Stratford Festival Young Company, she stayed four seasons and was cast as "Miranda" in The Tempest and "Luce" in The Knight of the Burning Pestle.

Claire has over 50 television and film credits to her name including The Mentalist, House, Without A Trace, Charmed and Monk. She is best known for the recurring role of "Kate Heightmeyer" on Stargate: Atlantis. Most recently in Toronto she has appeared on Republic of Doyle, Cracked, Nikita and Degrassi: The Next Generation.

In 2008, Claire graduated from the Professional Culinary Institute's Sommelier Program. She is also a Certified Sommelier with The Court of the Master Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators.

Claire also works with actors as a coach for on-camera auditions.