Canadian actors who were born in 1908
Here are 6 famous actors from Canada were born in 1908:
Bob Nolan
Bob Nolan (April 13, 1908 Winnipeg-June 16, 1980 Newport Beach) a.k.a. Nolan, Bob, Clarence Robert Nobles, The Stephen Foster of the West, America's No. 1 Cowboy Composer, Sons of the Pioneers, Bob Noland and The Sons of the Pioneers, Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers or Robert Clarence Nobles was a Canadian singer, singer-songwriter, actor and film score composer. He had one child, Roberta Irene.
Nolan's family moved to Tucson, Arizona when he was a child, and he spent much of his early life in the Western United States. He began his music career as a radio performer while studying at the University of Arizona. In 1933, Nolan founded the musical group Sons of the Pioneers, alongside fellow musicians Roy Rogers and Tim Spencer. The group became known for their Western-style harmonies and became a beloved fixture in classic Western films. Nolan wrote many of the group's most famous songs, including "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and "Cool Water".
In addition to his work with the Sons of the Pioneers, Nolan had a successful solo career as a musician and also appeared in several Western films. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 1989. Despite his success, Nolan remained humble about his contributions to Western music, famously saying, "I'm only a guitar player with a repertoire of cowboy songs."
Tetsu Nakamura
Tetsu Nakamura (September 19, 1908 Canada-August 3, 1992) a.k.a. Satoshi Nakamura, Tetu Nakamura or A No Star Cast was a Canadian actor.
Actually, Tetsu Nakamura (1936 – December 4, 2019) was a Japanese physician and aid worker, known for his extensive humanitarian work in Afghanistan. He was born in Fukuoka, Japan, and studied medicine at Kyushu University. In 1984, he moved to Peshawar, Pakistan, to work with Afghan refugees, and later established the NGO Peace Japan Medical Services. Nakamura was known for his efforts to provide clean water and agriculture support to communities in rural Afghanistan, and his work earned him numerous awards, including the honorary Afghan citizenship in 2018. He died in an attack in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, where he had been working on a new irrigation system.
Charles S. Thompson
Charles S. Thompson (August 28, 1908-July 9, 1994 Los Angeles) also known as Charles Thimpson, Charles Thompson, Chas. Thompson, C. Thomson or Charles Thomson was a Canadian set decorator and actor.
He started out in the film industry as a set decorator in the 1930s and worked on over 400 films throughout his career. Some of his most notable films as a decorator include the classics "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "Casablanca" (1942) and "The Wizard of Oz" (1939).
In addition to his work as a decorator, Thompson also had a successful career as an actor. He appeared in over 50 films including "The Big Sleep" (1946) and "A Star is Born" (1954) in small roles.
Thompson was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and served on the board of governors from 1957 to 1963. In 1993, he was awarded the Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the film industry.
Thompson passed away in 1994 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 85.
John K. Samson
John K. Samson (September 4, 1908 Grunthal, Manitoba-) is a Canadian actor.
He is best known for his work in the Canadian film and television industry, having appeared in numerous productions throughout his career. He began his acting career in the late 1940s and went on to appear in several popular Canadian television shows, including "The Littlest Hobo" and "The Beachcombers". Samson also had several film roles, including in the critically acclaimed drama "The Sweet Hereafter" directed by Atom Egoyan. In addition to his work in front of the camera, Samson also worked as a voice actor and provided voices for several animated television shows and movies. Throughout his career, he was recognized for his contributions to Canadian entertainment and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1997.
Mason Curry
Mason Curry (June 28, 1908 Halifax Regional Municipality-April 1, 1980 Mobile) was a Canadian actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s and became known for his roles in movies like "Johnny Belinda" and "The Silver Chalice". He also had a successful career on Broadway and received a Tony Award for his performance in "Da". In addition to acting, Curry was an avid collector of rare books and authored several works on the topic. He died in Mobile, Alabama at the age of 71.
Somar Alberg
Somar Alberg (January 15, 1908 Canada-May 31, 1977 Pound Ridge) a.k.a. Somer Alberg was a Canadian actor.
Born in Toronto, Alberg began his career on stage before transitioning to film and television. He appeared in a number of Hollywood productions in the 1940s and 1950s, often playing supporting roles. Some of his notable film credits include "The Time of Your Life" (1948), "The West Point Story" (1950), and "The Miami Story" (1954).
In addition to his work in film, Alberg was a prolific TV actor. He appeared in numerous popular shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "Perry Mason," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," and "The Beverly Hillbillies." He also had recurring roles on the series "Maverick" and "The Adventures of Jim Bowie."
Alberg's career spanned several decades and he remained active in the industry up until his death in 1977. He was married to actress Jeanne Bates and the couple had one son together.