Kim Raver, best known for her work on hit television shows like 24, Greys Anatomy, and The Nine, among others, has been in the entertainment industry for longer than you would think.
Raver’s career began in 1994, with her first acting credit being a role in a television movie. From there, she worked her way up to guest appearances and small parts on shows like Law & Order, as well as ER. However, it was her role as Kim Zambrano in Third Watch that truly launched her career in Hollywood.
Though Raver is a familiar face on the television screens of millions at this point in her career, she is quite private when it comes to details regarding her personal life outside of her career. Given that Raver does not do press interviews that frequently, there is a bit of information that fans may not know about the actress.
For 15 surprising facts about Kim Raver, just keep reading.
15 She And Her Husband Met In A Swimming Pool
Though Raver is married to French film director Manu Boyer, they did not meet on a red carpet or some exclusive, industry-only party or event. Raver revealed in a 2005 interview with Women’s Health magazine that she actually met her husband in a pool! Raver declined to explain the details of that initial meeting, stating that she found it to be “sacred.” Though Raver has not revealed any other details pertaining to their first meeting, the couple have been married for 20 years.
14 Feared She Would Get Fired On Her First Day Of Filming “24”
In a 2006 interview on The Ellen Show Raver was asked what her first day on set was like, upon joining the cast of 24. She mentioned how she was honestly quite scared because she had heard rumours that the show was notorious for killing off characters and subsequently firing people. And after various scares throughout her first day, Raver, and her character, managed to make it out alive.
13 She Travels To The South Of France Often
A common saying is that actors live out of suitcases, because of the frequent travelling their job requires of them. However, Raver travels for more than just work. Raver stated in a 2006 interview on the Late Late show with Craig Ferguson, that she and her husband often travels to the South of France to visit his parents who live there.
12 Speaks Fluent French And German
There are a surprising number of actors and actresses in Hollywood that know how to speak multiple languages. It turns out raver is one of those celebrities. Raver’s mother hails from Germany, and taught her how to speak the country's native language. Raver’s husband and his entire family are from France, and don’t speak English. This forced Raver to learn the French language.
11 Got Fired While Working As A Waitress
Lots of stars have worked odd jobs, in café’s and restaurants to make ends meet during their days at as struggling actors. You just may be surprised to find that Raver was one of those individuals. Not only did she work in a Mexican restaurant as a waitress—she was fired too! Raver told Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa of the time when she hid under a butcher block, reading a script when she was meant to be waiting on tables. When her boss discovered her, she was fired immediately.
10 She Moved Her Family Across The World For The Final Season Of “24”
Both the stars and fans of the hit television show 24 could not believe the news when Fox announced it’s sudden cancellation in 2010. However, four years later, she and the cast received news that they were going to reunited to film one last season. Raver explained in a 2014 interview how the project was based in London, which required her to relocate her whole family to England for the duration of the shoot.
9 Sometimes She Forgets She’s Not Actually A Doctor
Raver has spent quite some time playing Dr. Teddy Altman on the popular medical drama Greys Anatomy. However, she seems to sometimes forget that she is not an actual doctor. “Once my husband and I were on a plane… and they were like ‘We’re having an emergency, if there’s any doctors on the plane—‘ and I start standing up, and my husband goes white and he holds me down,” Raver recounted in a 2020 interview with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.
8 She Is Friends With Brooke Shields
Celebrity friendships seem to be quite common. With the long hours that actors work in close proximity to one another, it’s no surprise that they strike up friendships with their castmates. Raver and Brooke Shields worked together on the 2008 comedy television series Lipstick Jungle, and formed a friendship because of it. Raver said in an interview with Craig Ferguson that they sometimes have slumber parties, and that Shields is trying to set her daughter up with Raver’s son!
7 She Was Terrified On Her First Day Of Shooting "Grey's Anatomy"
Being the newbie anywhere, at any age, is always daunting. So we can only imagine the nerves Raver felt when she showed up to set on her first day of shooting the widely popular medical drama Greys Anatomy. Raver’s character was introduced in the 9thepisode of season 6, meaning she was walking into a cast of close-knit actors as an outsider. Luckily, Raver fit right in and played Dr. Teddy Altman for a total of six seasons.
6 She Can Sing
There are so many celebrities who secretly possess the talent to become double, and potentially even triple threats. Raver is an actor by trade, but can secretly carry a pretty sweet-sounding tune. In 2012, Raver sang alongside her, ironically, musically talented Greys Anatomy castmates at the benefit concert held to support the Actors Fund. Stars like Raver, Sara Ramirez, and Kevin McKidd sang songs featured on the show.
5 She Made Her Directorial Debut In 2019
Actors that have been working in the entertainment industry for long periods of time often desire to transition into more behind-the-scenes-oriented roles like producing, writing, and directing. Raver recently took this major step in her career when she directed the TV movie Tempting Faith. The film, which stars Alyssa Milano, Zane Holtz, and Steve Kazee, was released in June of 2019.
4 She Was Raised By A Single Mother
Raver and her sister were raised in New York City by their single mother, who Raver described as being “very traditional.” In a 2010 interview on The Bonnie Hunt Show, Raver spoke about what it was like returning home for Christmas: “She puts real candles on the tree. And we have this great tradition of blowing out the candles, but my sister and I are always—we have this huge bucket of water just in case.”
3 She Has A College Degree
More often than not, most of Hollywood’s stars ditched their education when they were young, in order to pursue their career. Considering Raver began working in the entertainment industry at such a young age it is quite surprising to find that she, not only attended college, but graduated as well. Raver attended Boston University where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama.
2 She Is A Die-Hard New Yorker
Raver may sound like a run-of-the-mill California girl but make no mistake, she is a purebred New Yorker. Raver grew up in the city with her mother and sister, who still live there despite Raver having moved to Los Angeles once her career took off. Despite this, she still considers herself to be a New Yorker. Raver noted in an interview with Good Day LA that her accent does return when she returns to The Big Apple.
1 Has Been On "Sesame Street"
Much like some of our other favourite stars like Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, and Justin Timberlake, Raver was also on another beloved childhood show. When she was just a child, Raver was recruited to be on Sesame Street while she, her sister and mother were shopping. Although Raver’s time on the show was before it was loved by children all around the world, she has claimed it was an incredible experience.
Sources: Peoplepill.com, Thefamouspeople.com