by Laura Weaver
Canada’s not exactly known for its stage presence – or are we? In fact, we’ve originated, or even helped originate, some amazing productions, as well as produced some stellar talent for the stage. Let’s have a look at some of these outstanding actors.
Canada’s not exactly known for its stage presence – or are we? In fact, we’ve originated, or even helped originate, some amazing productions, as well as produced some stellar talent for the stage. Let’s have a look at some of these outstanding actors.
Ramin Karimloo
While born in Iran, Karimloo moved with his family to the Canada and dropped out of school at 18, to began performing in various theatre projects and theatre companies in Canada and the UK. In 2002, Karimloo joined the national tour of Sunset Boulevard. It wasn’t until 2003 that he truly got his big break with his West End debut in Les Miserables. In 2003, Karimloo snagged the role of Raoul in Phantom of the Opera and went on to play Gustave Daae, the father of Christine, in the film adaptation of Phantom.
Karimloo other works include Miss Saigon, Love Never Dies, and he’s currently starring as Jean Val Jean on Broadway’s production of Les Miserables.
While born in Iran, Karimloo moved with his family to the Canada and dropped out of school at 18, to began performing in various theatre projects and theatre companies in Canada and the UK. In 2002, Karimloo joined the national tour of Sunset Boulevard. It wasn’t until 2003 that he truly got his big break with his West End debut in Les Miserables. In 2003, Karimloo snagged the role of Raoul in Phantom of the Opera and went on to play Gustave Daae, the father of Christine, in the film adaptation of Phantom.
Karimloo other works include Miss Saigon, Love Never Dies, and he’s currently starring as Jean Val Jean on Broadway’s production of Les Miserables.
Christopher Plummer
While Plummer is well known for his film roles (such as The Sound of Music, The Last Station, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and more), he also has a stellar rep as a theatre actor. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Plummer developed a love for the stage at an early age. Between 1948 to 1950, he appeared with the Canadian Repertory Company, performing in 75 different roles. Plummer made his debut on Broadway in 1953, in The Starcross Story, and has since established himself as a Shakespearian and character actor. Aside from appearing on Broadway, Plummer has appeared at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, as well as in the West End in London, England.
Plummer’s numerous shows include J.B., Othello, Macbeth, The Constant Wife, and The Good Doctor. He has been nominated and won numerous theatre awards, including several Tony’s. His daughter, Amanda, is also a Tony Award winning actress and well respected in the theatre world.
While Plummer is well known for his film roles (such as The Sound of Music, The Last Station, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and more), he also has a stellar rep as a theatre actor. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Plummer developed a love for the stage at an early age. Between 1948 to 1950, he appeared with the Canadian Repertory Company, performing in 75 different roles. Plummer made his debut on Broadway in 1953, in The Starcross Story, and has since established himself as a Shakespearian and character actor. Aside from appearing on Broadway, Plummer has appeared at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, as well as in the West End in London, England.
Plummer’s numerous shows include J.B., Othello, Macbeth, The Constant Wife, and The Good Doctor. He has been nominated and won numerous theatre awards, including several Tony’s. His daughter, Amanda, is also a Tony Award winning actress and well respected in the theatre world.
Martin Short
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Short is the youngest of five children. After graduating from McMaster University, Short was cast in a Toronto production of Godspell alongside Victor Garber and Eugene Levy, also famous Canadians. In 1993, Short appeared in a lead role in Neil Simon’s musical version of the film The Goodbye Girl on Broadway, and snagged Short a Tony Award nomination and an OCC Award. Six years later, Short played the lead in Little Me, which again won him an OCC, and a Tony as well. Other shows have included The Producers and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Short is the youngest of five children. After graduating from McMaster University, Short was cast in a Toronto production of Godspell alongside Victor Garber and Eugene Levy, also famous Canadians. In 1993, Short appeared in a lead role in Neil Simon’s musical version of the film The Goodbye Girl on Broadway, and snagged Short a Tony Award nomination and an OCC Award. Six years later, Short played the lead in Little Me, which again won him an OCC, and a Tony as well. Other shows have included The Producers and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.
Victor Garber
While you may know the name, you may not realize just how famous, or how talented, Victor Garber is. Born in London, Ontario, he began acting at nine, and studied at Hart House at 16. While Garber is probably most well known for his role as Jack Bristow on Alias, Victor has also appeared in Glee, James Cameron’s Titanic, Legally Blonde, Annie (1999), Argo, and Tuck Everlasting. In 1998, he featured in Art, and this was followed by A Little Night Music. Other shows included Follies and Present Laughter.
Canada has turned out quite a few theatre talents, including Rachel McAdams (on top of her film work), William Shatner, Enuka Okuma, Alanis Morissette, and Joanna Gleason. Yeah, Canada’s quite a talented bunch!
While you may know the name, you may not realize just how famous, or how talented, Victor Garber is. Born in London, Ontario, he began acting at nine, and studied at Hart House at 16. While Garber is probably most well known for his role as Jack Bristow on Alias, Victor has also appeared in Glee, James Cameron’s Titanic, Legally Blonde, Annie (1999), Argo, and Tuck Everlasting. In 1998, he featured in Art, and this was followed by A Little Night Music. Other shows included Follies and Present Laughter.
Canada has turned out quite a few theatre talents, including Rachel McAdams (on top of her film work), William Shatner, Enuka Okuma, Alanis Morissette, and Joanna Gleason. Yeah, Canada’s quite a talented bunch!
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