Many of our all-time favourite comedians, actors, actresses, singers and public figures call Canada home. We love watching our favourite movies, shows and listening to songs and coming across our fellow Canadians in lead roles. We root for them to win awards and to succeed, not only because we’re big fans, but also because we feel a deep connection to these people, simply for our Canadian identity.
From our favourite characters like Dr. Christina Yang to Shrek and even the Grinch, we love knowing that the actors behind these beloved roles are played by our fellow Canadians. We wanted to shed some light on a few Canadians you may or may not know of. And, who knows you might even have the same hometowns!
Although born in Beirut, Lebanon, the Canadian producer, musician and actor who is best known for his roles in the series The Matrix and John Wick, grew up in Ontario. His first name is Hawaiian and translates to “a cool breeze over the mountains,” which seems to be the opposite of his rambunctious personality.
Stay connected with him through his Instagram page @keanurreeves
The stunning Canadian actress was born in London, Ontario and is best known for her roles in The Notebook, Mean Girls, The Time Traveller’s Wife, and The Vow.
McAdams has been recognized for her acting chops over the years with numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Spotlight. This Canadian beauty has definitely followed her love for acting and has successfully captured our hearts in just about any flick she’s in. Catch McAdmas in her latest film, Doctor Strange.
You’ve most likely fallen in love with her as Robin Sherbotzski on How I Met Your Mother, where Cobie is not only a Canadian on the screen - she's a real life Canadian! A native to Vancouver, Smulders started her career off as a young model travelling the world from Japan to Italy and France. Since then, she has extended her fame to television and movie screens, including the ongoing Marvel series The Avengers. Follow her on Twitter @cobiesmulders to see what she’s been up to!
It’s no surprise this heart throb is a Canadian! Another Vancouver native, Reynolds is one of Canada's most beloved actors. Reynolds has played lead in many roles, but has most recently been highlighted for his lead role in Deadpool. He is also married to the gorgeous actress Blake Lively and they have two beautiful kids together!
Born in Sweden, but raised in Toronto, Ontario, this actress is best known for her roles in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Couples Retreat, and Watchmen.
Malin is a single mom and avid women and children’s rights supporter. Akerman has been involved with many different organizations such as Global Citizen, Andrea Bocelli Foundation, Opportunity International and The World Child Foundation which fight for the protection, education, health and equal chances given to children all over the world.
Follow her on Instagram and twitter @malinakerman to stay updated with her latest projects!
Born in Newmarket, Ontario, this outstanding comedian, actor, producer and film writer has amazed us with every role he has played throughout his career. From his roles in The Truman Show and Liar, Liar to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and so many more, Carrey has captured our hearts and left us laughing for a lifetime.
Carrey started out his career with open-mic nights, gaining the title ‘a genuine star coming to life’ from the Toronto Star. His dreams of making people laugh quickly sent him to Hollywood where he could perform stand-up and improv and finally moving on to acting. Although acting ended up capturing Carrey’s heart, he pursued his gift of making people laugh.
An outstanding actor and outstanding person, Carrey definitely is a face we are proud to share grassroots with.
Named the sexiest vegetarian by PETA, this Canadian celeb is best known for her breakthrough role in Juno. The Halifax born and raised actress received numerous nominations for her role in Juno, and has since then won many others. Page has been making her way onto our screens since she was just ten years old and continues to impress us with her resume, acting skills and awards. Keep up with her on Twitter and Instagram @ellenpage
Another Vancouver born star, Seth Rogen is a talented actor, comedian and writer who has graced the world with his hilarious talent. Rogen began film writing with his childhood friend, Evan Goldberg, at the young age of 13. Their first screenplay, which you may have heard of, was called Superbad, and it finally hit theatres in 2007. Since then, Rogen has been busy starring as a lead role in many movies including This is the End, The Interview and many more, making us laugh in all. Stay connected with Seth via twitter @sethrogen.
Drake first become known in Canada for playing wheelchair-bound Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi. These days he is internationally known for his music and hit songs such as “The Motto,” “Best I Ever Had,” and “Hotline Bling.” The Ontario native dropped his latest album “More Life” on March 18th, and you can catch him on June 26th hosting the first ever NBA awards on TNT!
This artist is proud to be Canadian as he supports the Toronto Raptors as an ambassador, he developed the ‘OVO Sound’ (Ontario’s Very Own) record label and he includes his experiences growing up in ‘the six’ (Toronto) in many of his songs. Stay connected with the rapper via Instagram @champagnepapi .
Born into a large family in Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion started singing at a young age and recorded her first song she had written, with her mother, at the young age of twelve. She began performing regularly at Le Vieux Baril, a piano bar in Quebec that her parents owned, and has since then grown into an international star. Dion has been highly recognized all over the world and received numerous awards, which include twelve World Music Awards, five Grammy Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, twenty Juno Awards, forty-three Félix Awards and many, many others. You go Celine!
This well-known sitcom actor may have been born in the U.S., but having been raised in Ottawa, Ontario, we claim him as our own! Matthew Perry is best known for his lovable character Chandler in the award-winning TV Series F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Known for his quick wit, sharp tongue and hilarious antics, Perry was the only cast member of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. who was involved in the screenwriting process. Some of Perry's own personal gags and jokes were so good that the writers felt they had no choice but to include them in the script. We wouldn’t want to know what the show would be without them!
Did you know this five-time Emmy nominee is Canadian? Born in Ottawa, Oh started performing ballet as a child and continued on to attend the National Theatre School of Canada where she fell in love with acting. Oh is best known for her role as Dr. Christina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy, where she was been awarded a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress among many others. Oh has been on screen since 1994 and has since then been in countless roles on both television and film. This Canadian even earned her way to receiving the key to the City of Ottawa!
We will forever be jealous of Ryan Gosling for one, getting to work with Rachel McAdams, and two, when he was 12 he was on an episode of Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark.
Like his costar McAdams, Gosling was also born in London, Ontario. He started out as a child actor with Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club and has since then been recognized in multiple lead roles, receiving Golden Globe nominations and two Oscar nominations. Gosling now resides across the border, but we still love supporting one of our favourite Canadian heart throbs.
This Scarborough, Ontario native is the ultimate Canadian - he even wrote a book called 'Canada'! Mike Myers is best known for his roles in Wayne’s World, Austin Powers, Shrek, and his time as a comedian on SNL.
Myers is also a proud supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs, even before their 2016-2017 success!
Myers’ success and Canadian roots have gained him much recognition throughout the world, but can his Hollywood Walk of Fame star compare to the road in Scarborough, Ontario named after him? If you ever pay the area a visit, check out Mike Myers Drive.
Although we couldn’t mention them all, we’re proud of these 15 Canadians that have been able to make it to the big screen and represent our country. We take pride knowing that some of our favourite and beloved on-screen characters share the same hometown roots as us. Who are your favourite Canadian celebrities?
In celebration of Canada's 150th birthday, Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery has a Canadiana Gift Basket up for grabs for one lucky winner (19+). Enter the form below before June 30th, 2017 at noon for your chance to win the following:
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