18 Great Canadian Exports
by Ellen Kim
on March 02, 2010
Watching the Olympics' closing ceremonies, I loved all the appearances
by Canadian artists, especially the actors who proudly expressed their
love for their motherland. So thank you, Canada, for giving us the
following contributions to movies & television (so music artists and um, Tom Green are not on the list). These are in no particular order:
1) Anne of Green Gables.
Set on Prince Edward Island, starring Canadian actors Megan Follows,
Colleen Dewhurst and Jonathan Crombie, this television movie (and its
two sequels) were must-see watching for any young woman on either side
of the border.
2) Jim Carrey
3) Christopher Plummer. (I admit I had no idea he was Canadian.)
4) SCTV. The sketch comedy series that ran 1976-1984 birthed John Candy, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, and many other Canadian comedians.
5) The Sutherlands (Donald and Kiefer). One of the busiest and well-regarded veterans of Hollywood, and his son, aka Jack Bauer. (Incidentally, Sutherland's 24 co-stars Elisha Cuthbert and Leslie Hope are also Canadian).
6) Michael J. Fox
7) Dan Aykroyd
8) Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams: Though they are no longer a couple in real life, their tear-jerking coupling in The Notebook
remains one for the chick-flick ages, not to mention their rising
Hollywood profiles. (You could also be the greatest Canadian Hollywood
couple if you could just... get back together? Please?)
9) Mike Myers
10) William Shatner, who mentioned during the Olympics' closing ceremonies that Canadians know "how to make love in a canoe." Only the Shat can say this line with authenticity.
11) Norma Shearer
12) Mon Oncle Antoine: The 1971 French-language film was twice voted the greatest Canadian film ever.
13) Ryan Reynolds
14) Atom Egoyan: The indie director of The Sweet Hereafter, which starred Canadian actress-turned-director Sarah Polley
15) Degrassi High:
This Toronto-based series, which aired in 1987-1991 (with a couple of
spinoffs), was hailed for its realistic portrayals of teens.
16) Sandra Oh
17). Keanu Reeves
18) Nathan Fillion: Star of TV's Castle, Firefly, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along blog. And. Just. Hilarious.
Who/what else would you list as a great Canadian export? --Ellen
1) Anne of Green Gables.
Set on Prince Edward Island, starring Canadian actors Megan Follows,
Colleen Dewhurst and Jonathan Crombie, this television movie (and its
two sequels) were must-see watching for any young woman on either side
of the border.2) Jim Carrey
3) Christopher Plummer. (I admit I had no idea he was Canadian.)
4) SCTV. The sketch comedy series that ran 1976-1984 birthed John Candy, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, and many other Canadian comedians.
5) The Sutherlands (Donald and Kiefer). One of the busiest and well-regarded veterans of Hollywood, and his son, aka Jack Bauer. (Incidentally, Sutherland's 24 co-stars Elisha Cuthbert and Leslie Hope are also Canadian).6) Michael J. Fox
7) Dan Aykroyd
9) Mike Myers
10) William Shatner, who mentioned during the Olympics' closing ceremonies that Canadians know "how to make love in a canoe." Only the Shat can say this line with authenticity.
11) Norma Shearer
12) Mon Oncle Antoine: The 1971 French-language film was twice voted the greatest Canadian film ever.
13) Ryan Reynolds
14) Atom Egoyan: The indie director of The Sweet Hereafter, which starred Canadian actress-turned-director Sarah Polley
15) Degrassi High:
This Toronto-based series, which aired in 1987-1991 (with a couple of
spinoffs), was hailed for its realistic portrayals of teens.16) Sandra Oh
17). Keanu Reeves
18) Nathan Fillion: Star of TV's Castle, Firefly, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along blog. And. Just. Hilarious.
Who/what else would you list as a great Canadian export? --Ellen
sarah kim on March 02, 2010 at 07:27 PM
i WHOLEheartedly agree with number 1, 13 and 15. #1 and #15 were the only reasons why i watched pbs when i was young. and 13, YUM!
Linda on March 02, 2010 at 08:08 PM
I didn't know Christopher Plummer was Canadian either. Love that man. Honestly though, who am I kidding - I had no idea a lot of these people are Canadian.
Oh and no one but me cares but Tahmoh Penikett (From Battlestar Galactica and Dollhouse) is Canadian. Mmm, me likey.
Lee Frank on March 03, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Forever Knight a great vampire series pre-Buffy.
The Great White North, although you mentioned Rick Moranis and SCTV -- this skit actually had a feature film made.
nichole on March 03, 2010 at 07:10 AM
Sarah Mclachlan
Brad on March 03, 2010 at 08:49 AM
Joni Mitchell
Gracehaven on March 03, 2010 at 09:25 AM
Bruce Cockburn. I can identify stages in my life by what Cockburn album I was listening to at the time.
young on March 03, 2010 at 10:52 AM
kids in the hall..
Eileen Kavanagh on March 03, 2010 at 07:19 PM
The Anne of Green Gable books are even better.
Brent Butt and Corner Gas
Red Green
Steve HEO on March 08, 2010 at 05:14 PM
#6 and #7 FTW
sensations on October 25, 2010 at 12:39 AM
William Shatner, who mentioned during the Olympics' closing ceremonies that Canadians know "how to make love in a canoe." Only the Shat can say this line with authenticity.
xiao on November 14, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Oh and no one but me cares but Tahmoh Penikett (From Battlestar Galactica and Dollhouse) is Canadian