Famous Canadians

Jim Carrey is one of Canada’s beloved acting gems. Born and raised in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, Carrey would become one of the world’s greatest comedians. He is famous for his sketch work and over the top impressions. He starred in comedic classics such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Dumb and Dumber, and The Mask. What truly showed Carrey’s range as an actor were his more serious roles in Liar Liar, The Truman Show and Man on the Moon.

Fun Facts

Although he was very famous for his impressions and sketch work, he never landed a role on Saturday Night Live. He did establish himself on another sketch show, In Living Color, which kickstarted his whole career.

You can travel to the most disconnected places on this earth and we bet the people there will still know who Justin Bieber is. There is no doubt in saying the Biebs is the most famous popstar of today’s generation. Now 26 years old, Bieber was discovered at the age of 13 through Youtube videos by his current agent. Bieber was known for his family-friendly hits like “Baby” and “Never Say Never” but just like his fanbase his music matured. Now his chart toppers have deeper messages such as “Sorry” and “Love Yourself”.

Fun Facts

Justin Bieber is known to be an amazing singer and dancer, but he is also a skilled musician. He knows his way around a guitar, piano and is a very talented drummer.

Avril Lavigne holds the title of being Canada’s “Pop Punk Queen” and she totally deserves it. She was probably on every playlist of every radio station in the early 2000s. Lavigne’s hits “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” were anthems to many teenagers growing up during that era. Lavigne is very active in her various charitable organizations. She lent her voice in artist K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” song which helped raise funds for the victims of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.

Fun Facts

Although she upholds a more “gothic” image, Lavigne was discovered singing covers of country songs outside a Chapters bookstore in Kingston, Ontario.

The Vancouver-native is a very skilled actress and is probably known for two major roles she has played in her career. She is Agent Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and she is Robin Scherbatsky in the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Smulders is currently starring in the crime drama Stumptown.

Fun Facts

Smulders almost didn’t become an actress. In her youth, she wanted to be a marine biologist and hated her time working as a model which made her hesitant to pursue acting.

Ryan Reynolds is currently an acting powerhouse. Being a versatile actor, Reynolds can play very serious roles and very over-the-top comedic roles. Whatever role he plays one aspect of his charm remains and that is his quick wit. Currently, Reynolds is known for his part in the first live-action Pokemon film and his portrayal of fan favourite Deadpool that was shot in his hometown of Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Reynolds also stays relevant with his public comedic social media feuds with his close actor friends: Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Fun Facts

Reynolds was listed in People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2007 and 2009. He was awarded the top honour in 2010.

James Cameron may not be a household name, but he is a very famous Canadian filmmaker and environmentalist. His accolades stretch all the way back to the 1980s. Cameron’s first blockbusters were The Terminator in 1984 and Aliens in 1986 that was a sequel to sci-fi classic. In 1997 Cameron would receive his highest awards with the movie, Titanic. He won multiple Academy awards and it became the highest grossing film of all time, only to be surpassed in 2009 by another of his films, Avatar.

Fun Facts

Cameron is a National Geographic explorer. In 2012 he became the first person to descend to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth’s ocean.

Lilly Singh also is known as ||Superwoman|| on Youtube is probably one of the most successful Youtubers out there. If you have access to Youtube you’ve probably heard of Singh. In 2017 Forbes magazine listed her as one of the highest-paid Youtube stars earning about $10.5 million.

Fun Facts

Lilly Singh has her own Late-Night talk show with NBC called “A Little Late with Lilly Singh”.

Steve Nash is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer in the NBA. This B.C. native is a two-time MVP and eight-time all-star. He is the first Canadian to win the MVP (back-to-back too!). Even though he is retired, ESPN still lists him as one of the best point guards to ever play the game.

Fun Facts

Steve Nash has a well-known love for the game of soccer. In 2011 he became a co-owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the MLS.

Since the 1990’s Celine Dion was a vocal powerhouse. The French-speaking Quebec native was born into a large family that supported her musical endeavours. After learning to speak English she signed to her first American label, Epic Records. In the 90’s Dion released many international number-one hits such as “The Power of Love”, “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” and “My Heart Will Go On” which was the theme song to the blockbuster film by fellow Canadian James Cameron, Titanic.

Fun Facts

Billboard named her “Queen of Adult Contemporary” for having the most number ones on the radio format for a female artist.

That’s right our beloved Dr. Cristina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy is Canadian! Although Oh is well-known for her role in that hit medical drama series her claim to fame was in the 90s. She was Rita Wu in the HBO sitcom Arliss. Oh is currently the star of the BBC America spy thriller series Killing Eve. In 2019 Time magazine named Oh is one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Fun Facts

Oh comes from a very studious family being the only one not completing university. Oh stated in an interview that she’s “the only person in [her] family who doesn’t have master’s in something”.

Aubrey Drake Graham or formally known us just ‘Drake’ is a proud Torontonian. Before all his fame and success now Drake was “running through the six with his woes”. Drake has produced many chart-toppers and was featured in many as well. Drake holds many Billboard records that in 2019 Billboard declared Drake is the 16th most successful artist of all time. Aside from his musical ambitions Drake also serves as a Global Ambassador for the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors.

Fun Facts

Amidst all his fame, Drake first received recognition for his role in the teen drama, Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Shania is a singer, songwriter, actress and most importantly an Ontario-native. It was her second album, The Woman in Me, that stamped her claim to fame. Here single “Any Man of Mine” who earns her a much-deserved Grammy Award. She would also release classic singles such as “You’re Still the One”, “From This Moment On” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”.

Fun Facts

She has sold over 100 million records making her the best-selling female artist in country music history.

Michael Bublé is a Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer. Bublé’s smooth voice has serenaded ears from all over the world so we’re sure you’ve heard at least one of his hits. Being a versatile singer, Bublé can sing different genres of music. He is known more for Easy Listening, Jazz and Traditional Pop. Bublé’s charm has landed him some acting gigs and endorsements.

Fun Facts

Michael Bublé is a 4-time Grammy Award winner.

That’s right John Wick is Canadian. Keanu Reeves had a unique upbringing being born in Lebanon but ultimately, he grew up in Toronto, Canada. Reeves began his big-screen career in the 80s and has remained relevant to this date. He starred in such classics: Point Break, Speed and Bam Stoker’s Dracula, to name a few. Before being known now as John Wick, Reeves’ biggest role was Neo in the Matrix franchise.

Fun Facts

Although he is known for his action-packed and serious roles, his first big film was a comedy. He was part of the Bill and Ted franchise.

We can’t talk about Canada without talking about Hockey. And we can’t talk about Hockey without talking about the “Great One”, Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky played in the NHL for 20 years and was the face of Canada during those years. He is a 4-time Stanley Cup champion and holds many records in the NHL.

Fun Facts

Wayne Gretzky is the only player in the NHL to have his jersey (99) retired by every team in the league.

Yes, Rachel McAdams is a big-name actress today; starring in many serious and romantic blockbusters but McAdams started her career in Canadian television. When she broke into Hollywood in the early 2000s many media platforms crowned her as the new “it girl”. She has starred in Romantic Dramas such as The Vow, The Time Traveler’s Wife and the romantic classic “The Notebook” where she starred along fellow Canadian, Ryan Gosling.

Fun Facts

Rachel McAdams does have a comedic side to her. Many of her best films were comedies such as “The Hot Chick”, “Mean Girls” and “Wedding Crashers” to name a few.

Rogen is probably the most famous Canadian actor-comedian today. Discovered as a teenage stand-up comedian, Rogen landed many writing gigs for various series and shows. He would eventually land supporting roles in comedic classics like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. His biggest claim to fame was the comedies he co-wrote with fellow Vancouverite, Evan Goldberg: “Superbad, Pineapple Express and “This is the End” to name a few.

Fun Facts

Rogen’s activism is heavily documented. Along with his wife, he actively raises awareness for Alzheimer’s disease.

Current popstar heartthrob, Shawn Mendes is most definitely Canadian. This Ontario-native has discovered singing covers on the once-popular social media app Vine. A few of his hits are “Stitches”, “Treat You Better” and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”.

Fun Facts

Mendes is currently the face of Tim Hortons being in their most recent commercials.

Yes, this teenage tennis phenom is Canadian. At only 19 years old Andreescu is ranked no.4 in the world and according to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), she is the highest-ranked Canadian in WTA history. She is reigning Canada and USA Open; beating Serena Williams in both.

Fun Facts

She is the first Canadian tennis player to win a Grand Slam title.

Yes, our beloved X-Men member is indeed Canadian. Many don’t think about it but James Howlett AKA Wolverine is from Alberta, Canada. This tough willed, always looking for a fight mutant comes from the friendly land of the maple leaf.

Fun Facts

In the movies, he is portrayed by Hugh Jackman, who is 6’3 but in the comics, Wolverine is only 5’3.