Canadian actors who were born in 1944
Here are 14 famous actors from Canada were born in 1944:
Lorne Michaels
Lorne Michaels (November 17, 1944 Toronto-) also known as Lorne David Lipowitz, Lorne Michael Lipowitz, lorne_michaels, Lorne 'Bud' Michaels or Lorne Lipowitz is a Canadian screenwriter, television producer, film producer, actor and comedian. He has three children, Edward Lipowitz, Henry Lipowitz and Sophie Lipowitz.
Michaels is best known for creating and producing the long-running American sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). He was the show's executive producer from its inception in 1975 until 1980, and then returned in 1985 and has continued in that role since then. Michaels has also produced various other television shows and specials, including Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Kids in the Hall, and 30 Rock. In addition to his work in television, Michaels has produced several films, including Wayne's World and Mean Girls. He has won numerous Emmy Awards throughout his career and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999. Michaels has been inducted into the Order of Canada and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2016.
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Brian Linehan
Brian Linehan (September 3, 1944 Hamilton-June 4, 2004 Toronto) also known as The Charlie Rose of Canada, Brian Richard Linehan or Brock Linehan was a Canadian actor and film producer.
He was best known, however, for his work as a television host and celebrity interviewer. Linehan hosted several popular Canadian TV programs, including City Lights and the Gemini Award-winning program, The Brian Linehan Show. He was renowned for his insightful and engaging interviews with some of the biggest names in show business, including Martin Scorsese, Elizabeth Taylor, and Bette Davis. In addition to his successful television career, Linehan also wrote for several Canadian magazines and newspapers, including Maclean's and The Toronto Star. Throughout his career, he earned numerous accolades, including induction into the Order of Canada in 1996. Linehan passed away in 2004 at the age of 59, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Canada's most beloved and respected media personalities.
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Rocky Johnson
Rocky Johnson (August 24, 1944 Amherst-) also known as Wayde Douglas Bowles, Wayde Bowles, Soulman, Sweet Ebony Diamond or Drew Glasteau is a Canadian wrestler and actor. His children are called Dwayne Johnson, Curtis Bowles and Wanda Bowles.
Rocky Johnson was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada as Wayde Douglas Bowles. He began his wrestling career in 1964 and became a prominent wrestler in National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in the 1970s. He is best known for his partnership with Tony Atlas as The Soul Patrol, becoming the first black tag team to win the World Tag Team Championship in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1983.
Aside from wrestling, Johnson also had a successful career in acting. He appeared in several movies including “The Wrestler” and “They Live”.
Johnson's son, Dwayne, also known as The Rock, followed in his father's footsteps and became a professional wrestler, and later a successful actor.
Rocky Johnson passed away on January 15, 2020, at the age of 75. He is remembered as a trailblazer for black wrestlers in the industry and a respected figure in both wrestling and acting.
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Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois (June 25, 1944 Montreal-) otherwise known as Charlebois, Robert is a Canadian film score composer, actor, musician, author and singer-songwriter.
He began his career in the early 1960s as a member of the influential Quebec folk group Les Bozos. Charlebois quickly established himself as a solo artist with his debut album "Outremontais" in 1965.
Throughout his career, Charlebois has experimented with various musical styles, including folk, rock, pop, and even electronic music. He has released over 30 albums and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Canada and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
Charlebois has also worked as an actor, appearing in films such as "J.A. Martin Photographe" and "Elvis Gratton." He has also published several books, including a memoir titled "Je Viendrai Comme un Voleur" in 2007.
Despite his success, Charlebois has always remained dedicated to the Quebecois culture and language. His music often contains lyrics in French, and he has been an outspoken advocate for the preservation and promotion of the French language in Quebec.
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Richard Monette
Richard Monette (June 19, 1944 Montreal-September 9, 2008 London) also known as Richard Jean Monette was a Canadian actor and television director.
Monette was best known for his work in the theatre as the artistic director of the Stratford Festival from 1994 until 2007. Prior to that, he had an extensive acting career in film, television, and theater, appearing in over 100 productions. Monette received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in theatre in 2000. He was also a member of the Order of Canada and the French Order of Arts and Letters. Monette passed away in London, Ontario in 2008 at the age of 64 due to complications related to his treatment for skin cancer.
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Michael Wade
Michael Wade (October 30, 1944 Avondale-May 22, 2004 London) also known as Mike Wade was a Canadian actor.
He was best known for his work in theater and television. Born in Avondale, Newfoundland, Wade began his career in theater in the 1960s and eventually moved to London, where he appeared in numerous West End productions. He also had an extensive career in television, appearing in shows such as "Doctor Who," "Inspector Morse," and "EastEnders." Wade was highly regarded in the acting community for his talent and versatility, and he was known for his ability to bring depth and nuance to his roles. He passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impact on the world of acting.
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Robin Ward
Robin Ward (April 10, 1944 Canada-) is a Canadian actor, tv personality and voice actor.
Robin Ward was born in Canada on April 10, 1944. He is best known for his role as the host of "Go" on CBC TV in the 1960s. He also lent his voice for many animated series including "The Raccoons", "Care Bears", and "Babar". Ward began his acting career in the 1970s and has appeared in various TV shows and films such as "The Littlest Hobo" and "The Dead Zone". He also played the role of the announcer in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. In addition to his successful career in entertainment, Ward is also known for his philanthropy work, particularly involving the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
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Johnny Washbrook
Johnny Washbrook (October 16, 1944 Toronto-) also known as John A. Washbrook is a Canadian actor.
He is best known for his starring role as French-Canadian farm boy, Joey Clark Newton, in the Western television series, "My Friend Flicka," which aired in the 1950s. Washbrook began acting at a young age, appearing in various Canadian television shows and films before being cast in the lead role in "My Friend Flicka" at the age of 11. Washbrook later retired from acting to pursue a career in the aviation industry. However, in the 1990s, he returned to acting, appearing in several independent films and stage productions. Washbrook is also a licensed pilot and aircraft builder, and has held various positions in the aviation industry.
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Brian Downey
Brian Downey (October 31, 1944 St. John's-) is a Canadian actor, musician and writer.
He is best known for his role as drummer in the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, which he co-founded in 1969. Downey played on all of the band's albums and performed with them until the group disbanded in 1984. Apart from his musical career, Downey has also acted in several films and television shows, including the horror film "Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll" and the TV series "Zorro". He is also an accomplished writer and has published several books on the history of Thin Lizzy and his own experiences in the band. Downey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Thin Lizzy in 2020.
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Zal Yanovsky
Zal Yanovsky (December 19, 1944 Toronto-December 13, 2002 Kingston) also known as Zalman Yanovsky, Yanovsky, Zal, Zalman "Zal" Yanovsky, Lovin' Spoonful or The Lovin' Spoonful was a Canadian songwriter, musician, singer, actor, film score composer and restaurateur. He had one child, Zoe Yanovsky.
Zal Yanovsky is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the 1960s rock band, The Lovin' Spoonful. Yanovsky co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits including "Do You Believe in Magic" and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" He was also known for his distinctive guitar solos that helped to shape the sound of the era. In addition to his music career, Yanovsky also acted in films and television shows, and composed film scores. Later in life, he opened a popular restaurant in Kingston, Ontario called Chez Piggy. Yanovsky passed away in 2002 at the age of 57 from a heart attack.
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Paul Koslo
Paul Koslo (June 27, 1944 Germany-) also known as Manfred Koslowski is a Canadian actor.
Koslo began his career in the late 1960s by appearing in several television shows such as "The High Chaparral" and "Bonanza". He later earned supporting or co-starring roles in films such as "The Omega Man" (1971), "Rooster Cogburn" (1975) and "The Stunt Man" (1980). He also played the character of Pruitt in the action film "Virus" (1999). In addition to his acting career, Koslo was a vocal advocate for social justice causes, including the fight against fracking and the protection of the environment. He passed away on January 9, 2019 at the age of 74 due to pancreatic cancer.
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Allan Royal
Allan Royal (August 17, 1944 Canada-) also known as Allan G. Royal, Alan Royal or Allan Royale is a Canadian actor.
He was born in Toronto, Ontario and began his acting career in the 1970s. Royal has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "The Twilight Zone," "General Hospital," "Murder, She Wrote," and "Airwolf." He is also known for his work on stage, having performed in productions of "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," among others. In addition to acting, Royal has worked as a director and producer. He has been married to actress Susan Hogan since 1978 and the couple has two children together. In his spare time, Royal enjoys playing golf and tennis.
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Yves Corbeil
Yves Corbeil (July 18, 1944 Saint-Eugène, Quebec-) is a Canadian actor, television show host, comedian and teacher.
He is best known for his work on the Canadian comedy show "La Petite Vie" where he played the character "Grand-papa" and won numerous awards for his performance. Corbeil also hosted the French-language educational program "Les Débrouillards" which aimed to teach children about science in a fun way. In addition to his career in entertainment, Corbeil also worked as a teacher for over 30 years, teaching drama and French in Quebec schools. He has been recognized for his contributions to education and was awarded the Governor General's Award for Teaching Excellence in 1994.
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Bill Clark
Bill Clark (May 20, 1944 Newfoundland-) otherwise known as Walter W. Clark, Jr., Walter "Bill" Clark or Walter Clark is a Canadian detective, actor, television producer, screenwriter and soldier. He has two children, Natalie Clark and Jennifer Clark.
Clark's early career began as a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces, serving as an infantryman for six years. Following his time as a soldier, Clark worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and eventually became a detective in the homicide division.
In the 1980s, Clark shifted his focus to the entertainment industry and began working as a producer and writer for television shows such as "Matlock" and "Walker, Texas Ranger." He also had a recurring role on the television show "Matlock" as Sheriff Parsons.
In addition to his work in television, Clark appeared in several films including "The Pope Must Diet" and "The Dead Pool." He was also a co-executive producer for the film "The Fugitive" starring Harrison Ford.
Throughout his career, Clark has received numerous awards and honors including being inducted into the Order of Canada in 2008 for his contributions to the entertainment industry and his philanthropic work.
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