Canadian actors who died before turning 40
Here are 14 famous actors from Canada died before 40:
Jack Pickford
Jack Pickford (August 18, 1896 Toronto-January 3, 1933 Paris) a.k.a. John Charles Smith, Johnny Pickford, Jack Smith or John Carl Smith was a Canadian actor, film producer and film director.
He died in multiple neuritis.
Jack Pickford was part of the famous Pickford family in Hollywood. He was the younger brother of legendary silent film actress Mary Pickford and the two frequently acted together in films. Jack started his acting career at the age of 16 and appeared in several successful films during the silent era.
Apart from acting, Jack also dedicated himself to producing and directing films. He founded his own production company and produced successful works such as "The Love Light" and "Suds". However, Jack's personal life was a troubled one. He struggled with addiction and was involved in several scandals throughout his career. His marriage to actress Marilyn Miller was also a tumultuous one filled with controversy.
Sadly, Jack passed away at the young age of 36 due to multiple neuritis, a condition that affects the nervous system. Despite his short life and troubled personal life, Jack made significant contributions to the film industry and his legacy lives on through his work.
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Corey Haim
Corey Haim (December 23, 1971 Toronto-March 10, 2010 Burbank) also known as Corey Ian Haim, Cory Haim, Space Ace or The Haimster was a Canadian actor, film producer, musician and painter.
He died in drug overdose.
Haim began his career in the early 1980s, appearing in several television series and films such as "The Lost Boys," "Lucas," and "License to Drive." He became a teen heartthrob and gained a large fan following during this time. However, as he grew older, he struggled with drug addiction and personal issues which resulted in a decline in his career.
Despite his struggles, Haim continued to act and worked on several independent films in the 2000s. He also released a self-titled album in 1999 and was an accomplished painter, with some of his artwork being displayed in galleries.
Haim's death at the age of 38 shocked the entertainment industry and his fans. He was remembered for his charismatic on-screen presence and contribution to the teen movie genre of the 1980s.
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Test
Test (March 17, 1975 Whitby-March 13, 2009 Tampa) also known as Andrew James Robert Patrick Martin, Andrew J. Martin, Andrew Martin, Andrew 'Test' Martin, Big Foot, Martin Kane, The Punisher or T.J. Thunder was a Canadian wrestler and actor.
He died as a result of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Test was born and raised in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, and had a passion for wrestling from a young age. After training with several wrestling schools, he made his wrestling debut in 1997 with the International Wrestling Association, and quickly gained popularity with his impressive size and athleticism. He eventually signed with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in 1998, where he became a fan favorite and won several championships.
In addition to his wrestling career, Test also dabbled in acting, appearing in several films and television shows, including the movie "Ready to Rumble" and the TV series "Pacific Blue." However, his true passion remained wrestling, and he continued to perform and compete until his untimely death at age 33.
Test's death was a shock to the wrestling community, as he was still in his prime and had many years of wrestling ahead of him. It was later revealed that he had been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Test's passing helped bring attention to the dangers of concussions and head injuries in sports, and the WWE has since implemented several safety measures to protect its wrestlers.
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Steve Ihnat
Steve Ihnat (August 7, 1934 Czechoslovakia-May 12, 1972 Cannes) a.k.a. Stefan Ihnat was a Canadian actor, screenwriter and film director. He had one child, Stefan Andrew Ihnat.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Ihnat started his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor in New York City in the 1960s. He then transitioned to television and film, appearing in numerous popular shows such as The Fugitive, Star Trek, The Outer Limits, and The Wild Wild West.
In addition to his acting credits, Ihnat also wrote and directed several short films, including A Day With the Boys in 1969, which went on to become a cult classic. He also wrote and directed the feature film, Out of Mind, Out of Sight, in 1971.
Ihnat was known for his intense and methodical acting style, which earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. He was often cast in villainous roles due to his intimidating presence and commanding voice.
Tragically, Ihnat passed away at the age of 37 while promoting his latest film, The Jerusalem File, at the Cannes Film Festival. His sudden death shocked the entertainment industry and left a void in the acting community.
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Neil Hope
Neil Hope (September 24, 1972 Toronto-November 25, 2007 Hamilton) was a Canadian actor.
He died in natural causes.
Neil Hope was best known for his role as Derek 'Wheels' Wheeler on the popular Canadian teen drama series "Degrassi Junior High" and "Degrassi High". He appeared in over 70 episodes of the series which aired from 1987 to 1991. After the show ended, he pursued a career in college and later worked as a bartender in Toronto. Unfortunately, Neil Hope's life took a tragic turn when he struggled with addiction and financial problems. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 35, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved figure on Canadian television.
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Owen Hart
Owen Hart (May 7, 1965 Calgary-May 23, 1999 Kansas City) also known as Owen James Hart, The Blue Blazer, 'The Rocket' Owen Hart, Bronco Owen Hart, King of Harts Owen Hart, Owen 'The Rocket' Hart, Slammy Award Winning Owen Hart, The Rocket Owen Hart, The King of Harts, Owen James, The Rocket, The Sole Survivor, Nugget, The Black Hart or Oje was a Canadian wrestler and actor. He had two children, Oje Edward Hart and Athena Christie Hart.
He died in accidental fall.
Owen Hart was born into the legendary Hart wrestling family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was the youngest of twelve children of Stu and Helen Hart. Following in the footsteps of his brothers Bret and Bruce, Owen began his wrestling career in the 1980s. He rose to fame as a member of The Hart Foundation tag team with Bret, which won two WWF Tag Team Championships.
Throughout his career, Owen was known for his impressive aerial maneuvers and technical wrestling ability. He won multiple championships in various promotions, including Intercontinental Championship, European Championship, and Tag Team Championship. He also competed in Japan, where he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Apart from wrestling, Owen also appeared in films and TV shows, including The Simpsons and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. He was also known for his sense of humor and pranks backstage, earning him the nickname "The King of Ribbing" among his fellow wrestlers.
Tragically, Owen died at the age of 34 during a WWF pay-per-view event in Kansas City. While performing a stunt as his alter ego, The Blue Blazer, he fell from the rafters of the arena to the ring below. His death was later ruled an accidental fall. In memory of Owen, his family established The Owen Hart Foundation, which supports various charities and scholarships in Canada.
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Guy Big
Guy Big (April 5, 2015 Ebenezer-May 2, 1978 Toronto) was a Canadian actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s and appeared in numerous films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Some of his most notable roles include Mr. Wilk in "Curse of the Demon" (1957) and Professor Carter in "The Atomic Submarine" (1959). In addition to his film work, Big also acted on stage and television. He played the lead role in the Canadian television series "The Forest Rangers" in the 1960s. Big was widely respected in the entertainment industry for his talent and professionalism. He was posthumously inducted into the Canadian Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1980.
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Cory Monteith
Cory Monteith (May 11, 1982 Calgary-July 13, 2013 Vancouver) a.k.a. Cory Allan Monteith, Cory Allan-Michael Monteith, Cory Allan Michael Monteith or The Cast of Glee was a Canadian musician and actor.
He died in combined drug intoxication.
Monteith grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, and had a troubled adolescence marked by drug and alcohol abuse. He attended various schools before dropping out at age 16. His life changed when he attended a acting program for troubled teens and discovered his passion for performing.
He began his career in 2004 with small roles in television shows such as Stargate Atlantis and Supernatural. In 2009, he landed the role of Finn Hudson in the highly popular television musical series Glee. He was praised for his portrayal of the jock-turned-singer and his stunning singing voice.
Monteith’s success on Glee quickly made him a household name and he became a teen idol. He used his fame to advocate for philanthropic causes and help raise awareness for issues such as homelessness and addiction. Tragically, his own struggles with addiction resulted in his untimely death at age 31.
Monteith’s impact on the entertainment industry and his fans was significant and his legacy continues through his memorable performances and ongoing philanthropic efforts in his name.
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Tim Sims
Tim Sims (April 5, 1962 Canada-February 2, 1995 Toronto) was a Canadian comedian and actor.
He died caused by hiv/aids.
Tim Sims was born in Ottawa, Canada and started his comedic career in the 1980s. He co-founded the comedy troupe The Second City Toronto and was known for his witty and irreverent humor. Sims was a mentor to many young comedians, including Scott Thompson of The Kids in the Hall fame. In addition to his work in comedy, he also appeared in television shows and movies such as "Due South" and "The Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy." Sims was openly gay and often used his comedy to address LGBT issues. After his death in 1995 due to HIV/AIDS, the Tim Sims Playhouse was established in his honor to support emerging comedians in Canada.
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Shane McConkey
Shane McConkey (December 30, 1969 Vancouver-March 26, 2009 Dolomites) a.k.a. Saucer Boy or Cliff Huckstable was a Canadian freestyle skier and actor. His child is Ayla McConkey.
He died as a result of skiing accident.
Shane McConkey is considered as one of the pioneers of freeskiing and ski-BASE jumping, revolutionizing the sport with his innovative techniques, including the "McConkey turn." He won numerous awards throughout his career, including several X Games gold medals and was inducted into the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
Aside from skiing, McConkey was also known for his appearances in several ski films and even starred in his own documentary, "McConkey." He also founded the Saucer Boy Productions, a company that produces skiing and adventure films.
After his untimely death in 2009, the Shane McConkey Foundation was established in his honor, which supports a variety of causes including environmental protection and providing assistance to athletes with life-threatening injuries or disabilities.
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Gene Andrusco
Gene Andrusco (April 6, 1961 Fort Frances-March 20, 2000 Huntington Beach) also known as Gene Eugene or Eugene, Gene was a Canadian engineer, singer, singer-songwriter, record producer and actor.
Gene Andrusco was best known for being the lead vocalist and guitarist for the alternative rock band, Adam Again. He formed the band in 1982 and released numerous albums throughout the 80s and 90s. In addition to his work with Adam Again, Gene also produced and collaborated with various other artists in the Christian music industry. He was highly regarded for his innovative sound and production techniques, which helped pave the way for future musicians in the genre. In addition to his musical pursuits, Gene also had a successful career in engineering, working on various projects and inventions throughout his lifetime. Despite his many accomplishments, Gene died tragically at the age of 38 from a brain aneurysm.
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Brad Sihvon
Brad Sihvon (January 29, 1971 Niagara Falls-April 7, 2010 Toronto) a.k.a. Bradley Daniel Sihvon was a Canadian actor.
He received his training at the George Brown Theatre School in Toronto, and later went on to appear in various stage productions including "The Wizard of Oz" and "Hamlet". Sihvon made his film debut in 1994 with a small role in the Canadian film "Sodbusters". He continued to act in various film and television productions throughout his career, including appearances in "Due South", "Nikita", and "The Outer Limits". In addition to his acting career, Sihvon was also an accomplished writer and director, and wrote several plays that were produced in Toronto. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 39 due to complications from pneumonia.
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Tommy Sexton
Tommy Sexton (July 3, 1957 St. John's-December 13, 1993 St. John's) otherwise known as Codco was a Canadian screenwriter and actor.
He died caused by hiv/aids.
Tommy Sexton was best known for his work on the sketch comedy show CODCO, which aired on Canadian television in the 1980s. He was a talented actor and writer, and his work helped to define Canadian comedy during that era. In addition to his work on CODCO, Sexton also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including Street Legal and The Kids in the Hall. Despite his success, he struggled with drug addiction for much of his life, and was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the early 1990s. He passed away in 1993 at the age of 36, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking comedy and a lasting impact on the Canadian entertainment industry.
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Alain Montpetit
Alain Montpetit (September 24, 1950 Montreal-July 15, 1987 Washington, D.C.) a.k.a. King of Disco was a Canadian actor.
He began his career in the 1970s as a disco dancer and performer. He quickly gained fame in Canada and eventually moved to the United States where he became an iconic figure in the disco scene of the 1980s. Montpetit made various appearances on popular television shows such as Dance Fever and Solid Gold, and in films such as Thank God It's Friday. In addition to his work in entertainment, Montpetit was also an activist for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Sadly, he passed away in 1987 due to complications related to the disease. Despite his short life, Alain Montpetit left a lasting legacy in the world of disco and entertainment.
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