Born in England, Amanda Tapping was raised in Canada, where she pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Windsor.
Amanda's most notable role was as Samantha Carter in the Stargate franchise, which spanned over a decade and included Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, and Stargate Universe. She also played the lead role of Dr. Helen Magnus in the television series Sanctuary, a project she had been involved with since its inception.
Behind the camera, Tapping has also made a significant impact. She served as an Executive Producer on Sanctuary and directed several episodes, including the Stargate SG-1 episode "Resurrection," which earned her a Leo Award nomination for Best Director.
Tapping has also directed episodes of several other television shows, including Primeval: New World, Arctic Air, Continuum, Strange Empire, Olympus, Dark Matter, and X Company. Her work has earned her four Leo Awards for Best Actress, as well as nominations for two Gemini Awards and four Saturn Awards.
In addition to her work in television, Tapping has also appeared in several films, including Space Milkshake, Random Acts of Romance, Taken Back: Finding Haley, and Kid Cannabis. She has also made guest appearances on shows such as Supernatural and Package Deal.
Tapping is also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various charities and organizations, including The Coast Foundation, The Canadian Cancer Society, UNICEF, and V-Day. She has also performed in "The Vagina Monologues" to help end violence against women and girls worldwide.
In 2009, Tapping launched the charitable foundation "Sanctuary for Kids," which has raised over $650,000 to support local and global children's charities. The organization has worked in Nepal, Haiti, and the downtown east side of Vancouver, and has been recognized with several awards, including Women in Film's "Woman of Vision" award and the YWCA Women of Distinction "Connecting the Community" Award.
Tapping has also received an Honorary Life Membership from the University College of Dublin Law Society and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from The University of Windsor, in recognition of her humanitarian work. She was awarded The Jules Verne Award in Paris for her humanitarian efforts, and continues to be a dedicated advocate for various causes.
