Canadian actors who were born in 1914
Here are 9 famous actors from Canada were born in 1914:
Harold Russell
Harold Russell (January 14, 1914 North Sydney, Nova Scotia-January 29, 2002 Needham) otherwise known as Harold John Russell was a Canadian actor.
He is best known for his role in the 1946 film "The Best Years of Our Lives", in which he played the character of Homer Parrish, a disabled US Navy veteran. The role was particularly significant as Russell himself was a real-life veteran and had lost both of his hands during World War II. As a result, he became the only actor to have ever received two Academy Awards for the same role - one for Best Supporting Actor and a special honorary award recognizing him for his inspirational achievement. After his acting career, Russell went on to work as an advocate for veterans' rights, including serving as the national commander of AMVETS.
John Ireland
John Ireland (January 30, 1914 Vancouver-March 21, 1992 Santa Barbara) also known as John Benjamin Ireland was a Canadian actor, film director, restaurateur and athlete. His children are called Peter Ireland, Daphne Ireland Whelahan and John Ireland.
Ireland began his career as a professional footballer but an injury forced him to abandon sports and pursue acting instead. He initially worked on stage productions in New York before transitioning to films. Ireland landed his first major role in the 1948 film noir "Raw Deal" and went on to appear in more than 70 films throughout his career.
In addition to his acting work, Ireland directed the 1965 film "The Fast and the Furious" and co-owned a popular restaurant in Santa Barbara. He was also an avid supporter of civil rights causes and a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War.
Ireland's personal life was tumultuous, with several marriages and battles with alcoholism. Despite these struggles, he remained a respected and beloved figure in the entertainment industry, with a career spanning more than four decades.
Félix Leclerc
Félix Leclerc (August 2, 1914 La Tuque-August 8, 1988 Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans) also known as Felix Leclerc or Leclerc, Félix was a Canadian singer, actor, film score composer and writer. His child is called Francis Leclerc.
Félix Leclerc is widely recognized as one of Canada's most influential musicians and songwriters. He was an outspoken advocate for the rights of the French-speaking population in Quebec, and his work reflected themes of social justice, freedom, and love of the natural world. Leclerc was also an accomplished author, writing several books of poetry and memoirs throughout his career.
Leclerc began his career as a radio announcer in Quebec City, where he also performed in local theater productions. He later moved to Montreal and began recording music, quickly gaining a following for his distinctive voice and guitar-playing style. His songs, which were often highly poetic and deeply personal, touched on subjects ranging from political activism to everyday life in rural Quebec.
In addition to his music career, Leclerc also worked as an actor, appearing in several films and television shows throughout the 1960s and 70s. He also composed scores for a number of films and documentaries.
Leclerc continued to perform and record music throughout his life, until his death in 1988 at the age of 74. Today, he is remembered as a trailblazer in Canadian music, whose legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
Richard Carlyle
Richard Carlyle (March 20, 1914 St. Catharines-November 15, 2009) was a Canadian actor.
He was best known for his work on stage, appearing in numerous productions on Broadway and in London's West End. Carlyle also appeared in several films and television shows throughout his career, including "The Manchurian Candidate" and "The Edge of Night." In addition to his acting career, he was also a published author, writing several books on theatre and acting. Carlyle was regarded as one of the most versatile and talented actors of his generation and his contributions to the world of theatre and entertainment are still celebrated today.
Stanley Brown
Stanley Brown (August 18, 1914 Calgary-September 29, 2001 West Los Angeles) a.k.a. Brad Taylor was a Canadian actor.
He appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career, including "The Seven Year Itch," "The Fugitive," "The Twilight Zone," and "Gunsmoke." Brown was also a veteran of World War II, serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In addition to his acting, he was also a successful businessman, founding a company that produced motion picture equipment. Brown was married twice and had two children. He passed away at the age of 87 in 2001.
Richard Avonde
Richard Avonde (May 22, 1914 Hamilton-January 24, 1981 Van Nuys) a.k.a. Richard Louis Avonde or Dick Avonde was a Canadian actor.
Avonde began his acting career in Toronto before moving to Hollywood in the 1940s to pursue a career in film. He appeared in numerous films throughout the 1940s, including "The Falcon Strikes Back" and "The Black Cat". In the 1950s, Avonde transitioned to television and appeared in popular shows such as "The Adventures of Superman" and "Perry Mason". In addition to his acting work, Avonde also wrote and produced several plays. He was married to actress Syd Saylor and had two children. Avonde passed away in 1981 at the age of 66.
Lane Allen
Lane Allen (August 4, 1914 Toronto-August 5, 1995 Los Angeles) also known as Albert Edward Wootten or Lane Allan was a Canadian casting director and actor.
He began his career as a child actor in several silent films, and later transitioned to behind-the-scenes work as a casting director. Allen worked on a number of popular television shows and films, including "Mission: Impossible," "Mannix," "McCloud," "Airport," and "The Godfather Part II." He was known for having a keen eye for talent and helped launch the careers of many actors, including Robert Redford and Clint Eastwood. Allen was also an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, serving on several committees aimed at promoting diversity in the film industry.
Peter Frye
Peter Frye (March 1, 1914 Montreal-June 2, 1991 London) was a Canadian actor, film director, screenwriter and film producer.
He began his career as an actor in Canada before moving to England in the 1940s to work in British film and television productions. Frye appeared in more than 30 films during his career, including "The Red Shoes" (1948), "The African Queen" (1951) and "A Night to Remember" (1958).
In the 1960s, Frye turned his attention to directing and producing films. He produced the acclaimed 1964 film "The Gorgon" and directed the horror film "Persecution" (1974), which starred Lana Turner.
Frye was also a prolific writer, penning screenplays for films such as "The Siege of Sidney Street" (1960) and "The Earth Dies Screaming" (1964).
Throughout his career, Frye worked with many notable actors and filmmakers, including Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, David Lean, and Stanley Kubrick. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1986 for his contributions to the film industry.
Lajos Rajczy
Lajos Rajczy (July 1, 1914 Budapest-May 22, 1957 Montreal) also known as Rajczi Lajos was a Canadian actor.
Born in Hungary, Rajczy immigrated to Canada in the early 1950s and began his acting career in Montreal. He appeared in numerous plays and films in Canada, as well as making several appearances on American television series. Despite his relatively short career, Rajczy is remembered for his dynamic and versatile acting skills, especially in his portrayals of complex and flawed characters. He died of a heart attack at the age of 43, leaving behind a legacy as one of Canada's most talented actors.