Canadian actors who deceased in 2003
Here are 13 famous actors from Canada died in 2003:
Hume Cronyn
Hume Cronyn (July 18, 1911 London-June 15, 2003 Fairfield) a.k.a. Hume Blake Cronyn, Hume Cronin, Hume Blake Cronyn Jr. or Hume Blake Cronyn, OC was a Canadian actor, television producer and screenwriter. His children are called Christopher Cronyn and Tandy Cronyn.
Cronyn began his acting career in the 1930s and went on to have a successful career in film, television and stage. He was known for his roles in films such as "Shadow of a Doubt," "The Postman Always Rings Twice," and "Lifeboat." He also appeared in numerous television shows and stage productions, earning multiple Tony Awards for his performances.
In addition to his acting career, Cronyn was also a co-founder of the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, one of the most prestigious Shakespearean festivals in the world. He was also a decorated World War II veteran, having served in the Canadian Army.
Cronyn was married to fellow actress Jessica Tandy for over 50 years until her death in 1994. The two were a beloved acting couple, appearing together in numerous productions including the film "Cocoon" for which they both received Academy Award nominations.
Throughout his career, Hume Cronyn was widely respected and praised for his acting talent, as well as his contributions to the world of theater and film. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 91.
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Pierre Bourgault
Pierre Bourgault (January 23, 1934 East Angus-June 16, 2003 Montreal) was a Canadian writer, journalist, politician and actor.
He was one of Quebec's most prominent sovereigntist activists and served as the founder and leader of the Rassemblement pour l'Indépendance Nationale (RIN) political party. Bourgault was also involved in several media outlets and hosted his own television show, "La Soirée du hockey", for a time. In addition to his political and media careers, Bourgault was also known for his acting work, appearing in multiple films and television shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Throughout his life, Bourgault remained a vocal advocate for Quebec independence and left an indelible mark on Quebec's political and cultural scene.
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Billy Van
Billy Van (November 27, 2014 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 called Tracy Van and Robyn Van.
Billy Van was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on November 27, 2014. He began his career in show business as a teenager performing at The Famous People Players Theatre in Toronto. He went on to have a successful career as a comedian, actor, and singer, appearing in numerous television shows, films, and live performances.
Some of his most notable roles include his work on The Sonny and Cher Show, The Billy Van Show, and his voice acting on The Hilarious House of Frightenstein. He was a talented performer who could sing, dance, and act in a variety of genres.
Outside of his career in entertainment, Billy Van was a devoted father to his two children, Tracy Van and Robyn Van. He passed away on January 8, 2003, in Toronto, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved entertainer and a dedicated family man.
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Émile Genest
Émile Genest (July 27, 1921 Quebec City-March 19, 2003 Hallandale Beach) a.k.a. Emile Genest was a Canadian actor, soldier and sports commentator. His children are called Claude Genest and Eric Genest.
Émile Genest began his career in acting in the early 1940s, appearing in a number of films and TV series throughout his career. He was also a decorated soldier, serving in the Canadian Army during World War II. Genest later became a sports commentator for the CBC, where he was known for his coverage of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team.
In addition to his acting and broadcasting careers, Genest was also known for his love of aviation. He was a licensed pilot and owned his own plane, which he often used to commute between his home in Florida and his work in Canada.
Throughout his life, Genest remained a beloved figure in the Canadian entertainment industry, and his contributions to both acting and broadcasting have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades.
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Charlie Biddle
Charlie Biddle (July 28, 1926 Philadelphia-February 4, 2003 Montreal) also known as Charles Biddle Sr or Charles Reed Biddle was a Canadian actor. His children are called Stephanie Biddle, Charles Biddle Jr. and Sonya Biddle.
Charlie Biddle was not only a successful Canadian actor but also an accomplished jazz bassist. He began playing the bass at the age of 16 and quickly gained recognition for his skills, becoming a part of the Philadelphia jazz scene. In 1948, Charlie moved to Montreal to become a part of the city's thriving jazz community. There, he formed his own band, the Charlie Biddle Trio, which quickly gained popularity across Canada and beyond.
Throughout his life, Charlie left an indelible mark on the Canadian jazz scene. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1993. After his death in 2003, the Charlie Biddle Jazz Suite was established in his honor as a performing arts space in Montreal, ensuring that his legacy lives on.
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John Juliani
John Juliani (March 24, 1940 Montreal-August 21, 2003 Vancouver) a.k.a. John Charles Juliani was a Canadian screenwriter, actor, film producer, film director and educator. He had one child, Alessandro Juliani.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, John Juliani was a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. He began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor in theatre productions, moving on to television and film roles.
Juliani's notable acting credits include the CBC series "The Beachcombers" and the films "The Changeling" and "My American Cousin." He also directed and produced films such as "Bordertown Café" and "Bye Bye Blues," which received critical acclaim and multiple awards.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Juliani was an educator, teaching at the University of British Columbia and serving as the head of the theatre department at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts.
John Juliani was a respected and influential figure in the Canadian film and theatre community.
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John Mantley
John Mantley (April 25, 1920 Toronto-January 14, 2003 Sherman Oaks) also known as John Truman Mantley or The Fixer was a Canadian screenwriter, television producer, actor and writer. His child is called Marie Mantley.
Mantley was best known for his work as a screenwriter and producer of the television series Gunsmoke, which aired for twenty years and became one of the most successful and longest-running shows in television history. He also had writing credits for other popular shows such as Bonanza, Have Gun – Will Travel, and The Wild Wild West. In addition to his career in television, Mantley also acted in several films and television shows. He wrote two books about the entertainment business, including his memoir, “Give 'Em Hell, Harry!,” which chronicled his time working with Harry Truman on the former President's successful 1948 campaign. Mantley passed away in 2003 at the age of 82.
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Graham Jarvis
Graham Jarvis (August 25, 1930 Toronto-April 16, 2003 Los Angeles) also known as Graham P. Jarvis was a Canadian actor. He had two children, Alex Jarvis and Matthew Jarvis.
His career in acting spanned over four decades and he appeared in numerous movies, television shows, and stage productions. Jarvis was best known for his character acting and often played eccentric or offbeat characters. He appeared in popular TV shows such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, M*A*S*H, and The Twilight Zone. He also had memorable film roles in films like Misery, Silkwood, and Cat People. His work was critically acclaimed and he was praised for his versatility and ability to bring depth to his characters. Jarvis passed away in 2003 after a long battle with multiple myeloma.
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Jesse Nilsson
Jesse Nilsson (December 9, 1977 Canada-April 25, 2003 North York) also known as Jesse Allan Nilsson was a Canadian actor.
He was best known for his role as Quintin "Q" Kelly on the Canadian teen drama series "Degrassi: The Next Generation". Nilsson was born in Canada and began his acting career in the early 2000s. He appeared in several TV series and films such as "The Zack Files" and "Twice in a Lifetime". Nilsson was known for his natural acting talent and his ability to bring authenticity and depth to his roles. Unfortunately, Nilsson's promising career was cut short when he passed away in 2003 at the age of 25 due to an accidental drug overdose. Despite his short career, Nilsson left a lasting impression on audiences with his memorable performances on screen.
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Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung (September 12, 1956 Kowloon-April 1, 2003 Central) a.k.a. 張國榮, Zhang Guo Rong, ±i°êºa, 张国荣, Cheung Kwok Wing, Lesile K.W. Cheung, Kwok-wing, Guorong Zhang, Kwok-wing Cheung, Gor Gor, Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing, Ge Ge or Gor-gor was a Canadian singer, songwriter, film director, actor, record producer and screenwriter.
He began his career as a singer in 1977 and quickly became one of the most popular Cantopop singers in the 1980s. He released over 20 albums throughout his career and won numerous awards for his music, including several Golden Melody Awards. In addition to his music career, Cheung was also a successful actor, starring in over 60 films throughout his career. He received critical acclaim for his roles in films such as "Farewell My Concubine" and "Happy Together", and was awarded the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1992. Cheung was also a prominent figure in the LGBTQ community, and publicly came out as bisexual in 1997, becoming an advocate for LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong. He tragically passed away in 2003, at the age of 46, due to suicide by jumping from the 24th floor of a hotel. His death sparked an outpouring of grief from fans around the world and he is remembered as one of the most influential and beloved artists in Asian entertainment history.
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Tom Busby
Tom Busby (November 27, 2014 Toronto-September 20, 2003 Glasgow) also known as Thomas Busby was a Canadian actor. His child is called Siân Busby.
Tom Busby started his acting career in the 1950s, appearing in various theater productions before making his way to television and film. He starred in several popular TV shows such as "The Avengers" and "Doctor Who" and had roles in films like "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Octopussy".
Aside from acting, Busby was also an accomplished singer and songwriter, releasing several albums throughout his career. He even wrote a hit song for the British pop group, The Searchers.
Busby retired from acting in the early 1990s and lived a quiet life in Scotland until his passing in 2003. He was remembered as a talented and versatile performer by those who worked with him in the industry.
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Great Antonio
Great Antonio (October 10, 1925 Zagreb-September 7, 2003 Montreal) also known as The Great Antonio, Antonio Barichievich, Le Grand Antonio or Anton Baričević was a Canadian actor, wrestler and strongman.
Born in Croatia, Antonio immigrated to Canada in 1948 and made a name for himself by performing incredible feats of strength such as pulling trains and lifting automobiles. He was also a professional wrestler and appeared in several films throughout his career. Antonio was known for his eccentric personality and flamboyant style, often wearing outrageous costumes and sporting a long beard. Despite his success, he struggled with personal demons and fell into poverty later in life. In 2003, he passed away in Montreal at the age of 77.
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Paul Bradley
Paul Bradley (September 2, 1940 Canada-September 1, 2003 Victoria) was a Canadian actor.
He was best known for his role as Constable John Constable in the popular Canadian television series "Due South". Bradley was born in Canada, and after attending the University of Toronto, he began his acting career in the 1960s. He appeared in a number of Canadian television shows and films, including "The Littlest Hobo" and "The Grey Fox". In addition to his work in television and film, Bradley was also an accomplished stage actor, and he performed in a number of productions across Canada. He was widely regarded as a skilled performer and a beloved member of the Canadian acting community. Bradley passed away in Victoria, British Columbia in 2003, at the age of 62.
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