Biography

Lara was born and raised in Toronto Canada. Both her parents were second generation Ukrainian. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, and had her professional debut on stage at nine years old in Ross Petty's Panto, Cinderella, subsequently appearing in both Aladdin and Jack and the Beanstalk. A gifted athlete she was also a competitive figure skater and spent most of her high school years on the ice.

Lara attended the acclaimed McGill University as a biochemistry major intending to pursue a medical career. She continued her science studies at the University of Toronto and began taking drama classes with Kurt Reiss, Marianne McIssac, and Carol Rosenfield.

A growing passion for the creative arts led her to New York City where she studied at the H.B. Studio with several of the greats, followed by a Meisner training program at The Actors Studio.

Back in Toronto, Lara acquired television credits including guest stars on Relic Hunter, Earth Final Conflict, Missing and Haven. Recently she appeared on Netflix mini-series Painkiller.

Her extensive feature film credits include lead roles in A Dark Truth, opposite Andy Garcia, Hearts of War, with Nina Dobrev, and the female lead in King of Sorrow, co-starring Kim Coates. She won a Best Actress Award for this role at the AOF film festival in Los Angeles. Hit it (2013), a comedy, was her first producer's credit. She was also nominated for Best Actress at the AOF Film Festival for her starring role in the film.

Other credits include, Death Warrior, directed by Bill Corcoran, One Eyed King, directed by Bobby Moresco, Darkness Falling, starring Jason Priestly, Mercy, starring Ellen Barkin, Merlin - The Magic Begins, and Electra voted #33 in Maxim Magazine's top 100 B movies of all time.

Lara also continued to work in the theatre including the role of 'Countess Dracula' in The Annex Theatres production of Dracula which became a cult favorite, and Dianna in the farce "Lend me a Tenor" at the Muskoka Festival.

Lara wrote and starred in the inspirational family film Ice Girls, also starring Natasha Henstridge and Elvis Stojko.

Her directorial debut, Viaticum, a short film based on a story written by acclaimed novelist, Maureen Jennings, had a successful festival run winning many awards.

Recently, Lara, co-wrote the screenplay for the horror film, Pray for Me, which she also starred in. She also just completed a leading role in the comedy Superdicks alongside Michael Ironside, Kim Coates and Marie Avgeropoulos.

Lara is wrapping up the lead role on the feature film Key to Freedom. She is excited to begin production on her next screenplay Caregiver.

- IMDb mini biography by: Lara Daans