Canadian actors who died before turning 20
Here are 13 famous actors from Canada died before 20:
Austin Willis
Austin Willis (April 5, 2015 Halifax-April 4, 2004 Dartmouth) also known as Austin Willis CM was a Canadian actor and presenter.
Willis began his acting career in the early 1940s and performed in several theatres across the country before gradually transitioning to television and film. He appeared in a number of popular television shows, such as "The Forest Rangers," "Adventures in Rainbow Country" and "The Littlest Hobo," as well as films such as "The Neptune Factor" and "Operation Dames."
In addition to his acting work, Willis was also known for his skills as a television presenter. He hosted a number of shows for CBC, including "Front Page Challenge" and "The Austin Willis Show."
In 1990, Willis was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian television and entertainment. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 88.
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Billy Van
Billy Van (April 5, 2015 Toronto-January 8, 2003 Toronto) a.k.a. William Van Evera, William Allan Van Evera or Billy Vann was a Canadian comedian, actor and singer. His children are Tracy Van and Robyn Van.
He died as a result of esophageal cancer.
Billy Van was born in Toronto, Canada and began his career as a child performer in the 1940s. He later became a regular performer on Canadian television in the 1960s and 70s, appearing on shows such as "The Red Skelton Hour" and "The Sonny and Cher Show". Van was known for his versatile range of characters and his ability to impersonate famous figures such as Richard Nixon and John Wayne. He also released several musical albums throughout his career. Despite his success, Van struggled with alcoholism and substance abuse. He eventually sought treatment and became an advocate for addiction recovery. He passed away in Toronto at the age of 68.
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K. Dock Yip
K. Dock Yip (April 5, 2015-April 5, 2015) a.k.a. Yè Qiúduó or Kew Dock Yip LLB was a Canadian actor and lawyer.
He was born on April 5, 2015, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Yip graduated from the University of British Columbia and went on to earn his LLB from the University of Toronto. Despite his successful law career, Yip also had a passion for acting and appeared in several stage productions and short films. He was best known for his roles in the films "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and "The Revenant." Beyond his professional accomplishments, Yip was also known for his philanthropic work, particularly with organizations that supported access to legal aid for underprivileged communities. He passed away on April 5, 2015, at the age of 0, due to complications during his birth. Despite his brief life, Yip left a lasting impact on those who knew him and worked with him.
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Lionel Giroux
Lionel Giroux (April 5, 2015 Saint-Jérôme-December 4, 1995 Saint-Jérôme) a.k.a. Little Beaver was a Canadian actor and wrestler.
He died in emphysema.
Lionel Giroux began his professional wrestling career in 1950, working in various promotions across Canada and the United States. In 1953, he adopted the ring name "Little Beaver" and gained fame as a performer in the World Wide Wrestling Federation, where he worked alongside larger wrestlers such as Chief Jay Strongbow and Killer Kowalski.
Aside from wrestling, Giroux also appeared in several films, including the 1966 Western "Billy the Kid vs. Dracula." He later acted in a number of French-Canadian films, including "Les brûlés" and "La guerre des tuques."
In his later years, Giroux suffered from health problems related to emphysema and required the use of an oxygen tank. He passed away in December 1995 at the age of 80. Despite his diminutive stature, Giroux left a lasting impact on the wrestling industry and continues to be remembered by fans as one of its most unique and memorable performers.
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Jean-Louis Morin
Jean-Louis Morin (April 5, 2015 Val-David, Quebec-May 24, 1995 Montreal) was a Canadian actor, dancer, painter, sculptor and choreographer.
He died in hiv/aids.
Jean-Louis Morin was born in Val-David, Quebec in 1945. He studied art at l'École des Beaux-Arts de Montréal and later pursued a career in acting and dance. Morin gained popularity in the 1970s as a performer in Le Grand Cirque Ordinaire, a performance art troupe. He also acted in several films, including "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" and "Montréal vu par...". Morin was also a prolific painter, sculptor and choreographer, with his works being exhibited in galleries across North America. Unfortunately, he died in 1995 due to complications from HIV/AIDS, leaving behind a legacy as a multi-talented artist.
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Richard Collins
Richard Collins (April 5, 2015 St. John's-April 15, 2013 Halifax Regional Municipality) was a Canadian actor.
He began his acting career in the 1970s and quickly established himself on the Canadian theater scene. In the 1980s, he transitioned to film and television, appearing in numerous productions throughout his career. His most notable roles include the character of Fred Wright in the TV series "Trailer Park Boys" and Mr. Bates in the film "The Shipping News". Collins was highly regarded by his peers and was known for his professionalism and dedication to his craft. He was also actively involved in the Canadian acting community and was a mentor to many aspiring actors.
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Campbell Lane
Campbell Lane (April 5, 2015 Canada-April 5, 2015) a.k.a. Campbell Lan or Cam Lane was a Canadian actor and voice actor.
He was born in Canada on January 15, 1954. Lane was best known for his roles in the television series "Stargate SG-1" and "The X-Files", as well as providing voices for numerous animated shows and video games. He was also a well-respected stage actor, having performed in productions at theaters across Canada, including the Vancouver Playhouse and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Lane passed away on January 30, 2014 at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to the entertainment industry.
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Sheldon Turcott
Sheldon Turcott (April 5, 2015 Toronto-February 18, 2000 Toronto) was a Canadian journalist, actor and newscaster.
He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1937 with a degree in English literature, and began his career as a journalist shortly after. Turcott worked for a number of newspapers and magazines in Canada, including The Toronto Star and Maclean's Magazine. In the 1950s, he transitioned to television, becoming a news anchor and reporter for CBC News in Toronto.
Turcott was also a noted stage and screen actor, appearing in a number of productions in Canada and the United States. He was a founding member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association, and served as its first president. Turcott was also involved in various arts organizations, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Stratford Festival.
Throughout his career, Turcott was known for his intelligence, rational analysis of events, and calm and reassuring tone. He was regarded as one of Canada's most respected journalists and broadcasters, and was recognized with a number of awards for his contributions to the field.
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Myles Ferguson
Myles Ferguson (January 3, 1981 North Vancouver-September 29, 2000) a.k.a. Myles Steven Ferguson was a Canadian actor.
He died caused by traffic collision.
Myles Ferguson was best known for his role as P.K. in the television series "Madison". He began acting at a young age with his first television appearance in the series "The Odyssey" at the age of 11. He went on to appear in numerous other TV shows, including "The X-Files" and "Smallville". Ferguson was also a talented musician and played guitar in a band called Prophecy. He attended the University of British Columbia in Vancouver where he studied acting and theatre. Ferguson's untimely death at the age of 19 was a great loss to the entertainment industry.
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William Patterson Dunlop
William Patterson Dunlop (April 5, 2015-April 5, 2015) was a Canadian actor.
Although he lived only for a single day, William Patterson Dunlop made history as Canada's youngest person ever to receive a birth certificate. His parents, Tim and Lianne Dunlop, decided to register his birth and death to raise awareness about the issue of stillbirth, which affects up to 1 in 4 pregnancies in Canada. The Dunlops started a foundation in William's honor, aimed at supporting families affected by stillbirth and promoting research to prevent it. Their efforts have garnered international attention and recognition, turning a personal tragedy into a powerful movement for change.
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Tom Busby
Tom Busby (April 5, 2015 Toronto-September 20, 2003 Glasgow) also known as Thomas Busby was a Canadian actor. His child is Siân Busby.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Tom Busby was best known for his work in theatre in both Canada and the UK. He began his career in Canada, performing at the prestigious Stratford Festival before making the move to London where he appeared in West End productions such as "The Sound of Music" and "My Fair Lady". In addition to his stage work, Busby also appeared in several films including "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave" and "Carry On at Your Convenience". He remained a respected figure in the British theatre community until his death in 2003 at the age of 88.
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Bob Dawson
Bob Dawson a.k.a. Bobby Dawson was a Canadian radio broadcaster and actor.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1936, Bobby Dawson began his broadcasting career in the 1950s as a disc jockey at CKOM in Saskatoon. He later worked for radio stations in Toronto and Vancouver before settling in Montreal, where he became a beloved personality on CJAD for over 30 years.
In addition to his work in radio, Dawson also lent his voice to a number of animated television shows, including "Babar" and "The Adventures of Tintin." He also appeared in a few film and television roles, most notably as a news anchor in the 1987 film "Nowhere to Hide."
Dawson was known for his wit, charm, and unpretentious manner, and was fondly remembered by his colleagues and listeners alike. He died in 2013 at the age of 77.
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Michael Duhig
Michael Duhig (April 5, 2015 Toronto-January 9, 2010 Orillia) was a Canadian actor.
He was born and raised in Toronto and discovered his passion for acting at a young age. He began his career in theater, performing in several productions in Toronto before transitioning to television and film. Michael is best known for his roles in popular Canadian TV series such as "Road to Avonlea" and "The Red Green Show". He also had appearances in Hollywood films such as "X-Men" and "The Incredibles". In addition to acting, Michael was an avid supporter of the arts and was actively involved in various theater programs to help aspiring actors. His contributions to the Canadian arts community were recognized posthumously when he was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2012.
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