Canadian actors who deceased in 2007
Here are 13 famous actors from Canada died in 2007:
Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson (August 15, 1925 Montreal-December 23, 2007 Mississauga) also known as Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, Oscar Petersen, Maharajah of the Keyboard, The Brown Bomber of Boogie-Woogie or Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC, CQ, OOnt was a Canadian composer, jazz pianist, singer, actor and film score composer. He had seven children, Lyn Peterson, Celine Peterson, Sharon Peterson, Gay Peterson, Joel Peterson, Oscar Peterson, Jr. and Norman Peterson.
Peterson began playing piano at a young age and later studied at the Montreal Conservatory of Music. He first gained international recognition in the 1940s as the featured pianist in the touring band led by trumpet player Roy Eldridge. Peterson went on to record and perform with some of the greatest jazz musicians of his time, including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Peterson's style was characterized by his technical skill and his ability to effortlessly blend elements of swing, bebop, and classical music. He also wrote and arranged many of his own compositions, including the well-known jazz standard "C Jam Blues". Throughout his career, he won multiple Grammy Awards and other prestigious honors, cementing his status as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time.
However, Peterson faced discrimination throughout his career due to his race. He was often denied access to hotels, restaurants and venues reserved for white musicians. Despite this, he continued to speak out against discrimination and fight for civil rights.
In addition to his music career, Peterson also acted in a number of films, including "The Connection" and "The Benny Goodman Story". He also composed music for several films, including "The Silent Partner" and "Candy Mountain".
Peterson continued to perform and record music, even after suffering a stroke in 1993. He passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential and respected jazz musicians in history.
Read more about Oscar Peterson on Wikipedia »
Robert Goulet
Robert Goulet (November 26, 1933 Lawrence-October 30, 2007 Los Angeles) also known as Robert Gerard Goulet was a Canadian singer, actor and voice actor. He had three children, Nicolette Goulet, Christopher Goulet and Michael Goulet.
Goulet began his career in the 1950s as a radio and stage performer in Canada before gaining popularity in the United States in the 1960s. He is best known for his powerful baritone voice and his roles in Broadway musicals, including Lancelot in Camelot and Sir Danvers in Jekyll and Hyde. He was also a frequent performer on television variety shows and recorded several albums throughout his career. In addition to his entertainment career, Goulet was involved in various charities and philanthropic efforts, including the development of the Robert Goulet Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Arts. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 73 from interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
Read more about Robert Goulet on Wikipedia »
Denny Doherty
Denny Doherty (November 29, 1940 Halifax-January 19, 2007 Mississauga) also known as Dennis Gerrard Stephen Doherty, denny_doherty or Doherty, Denny was a Canadian singer, songwriter and actor. He had three children, Jessica Woods, Emberly Doherty and John Doherty.
Denny Doherty was best known as a founding member of the popular 60s folk-rock group, The Mamas & the Papas. He provided lead vocals on some of the band's most beloved hits including "California Dreamin'," "Monday, Monday," and "Go Where You Wanna Go." After the band disbanded in 1968, Denny continued to pursue a solo career in music and acting, appearing in various television shows and stage productions. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Denny was also an advocate for the environment, often lending his voice and resources to various conservation efforts. He passed away in 2007 from an aortic aneurysm.
Read more about Denny Doherty on Wikipedia »
Lee Patterson
Lee Patterson (March 31, 1929 Vancouver-February 14, 2007 Galveston) was a Canadian actor.
Patterson began his acting career in theatre in Canada before moving to England in the late 1950s to pursue a career in film and television. He appeared in a number of popular British TV shows including "The Avengers," "Z Cars," and "The Sweeney." His film credits include "Room at the Top" and "The Dirty Dozen."
In the 1970s, Patterson moved to the United States and continued to work in film and TV, appearing in shows like "Dallas" and "Dynasty." He also had a recurring role on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives."
In addition to acting, Patterson was also a painter and exhibited his artwork in galleries in the United States and Europe.
Read more about Lee Patterson on Wikipedia »
William Hutt
William Hutt (May 2, 1920 Toronto-June 27, 2007 Stratford) otherwise known as William Ian DeWitt Hutt or William Ian DeWitt Hutt, CC OOnt MM was a Canadian actor.
Born in Toronto in 1920, William Hutt studied at the University of Toronto and made his stage debut in 1941. He quickly rose to prominence as one of Canada's leading actors, performing with the Stratford Festival for many years and earning critical acclaim for his roles in classic plays such as Hamlet, King Lear, and Long Day's Journey Into Night.
Hutt was also a respected teacher, serving as a master acting teacher at the National Theatre School of Canada and at the University of British Columbia. In addition to his stage work, he appeared in several films and television series throughout his career, including the 1970 film adaptation of The House That Jack Built and the Canadian series Road to Avonlea.
He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1974, and was promoted to the rank of Companion in 2000. Hutt continued to act well into his 80s, and his contributions to Canadian theatre were celebrated with numerous awards and honors, including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1992.
Read more about William Hutt on Wikipedia »
Roy Jenson
Roy Jenson (February 9, 1927 Calgary-April 24, 2007 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Roy Cameron Jenson, Roy C. Jenson, Roy C. Jensen or Roy Jensen was a Canadian actor, stunt performer and canadian football player. He had three children, Morgan Jensen, Martin Jensen and Sasha Jenson.
Jenson first gained fame as a professional football player in Canada playing for the Calgary Stampeders and later for the Edmonton Eskimos. After retiring from football, he transitioned into a career in Hollywood as a stuntman and actor. He appeared in over 300 films, usually playing tough or menacing characters, including "The Magnificent Seven," "Chinatown" and "The Outlaw Josey Wales." Jenson also worked as a stunt coordinator and a second unit director on several films. He was known for his professionalism and his ability to perform difficult stunts. Roy Jenson passed away in 2007 at the age of 80.
Read more about Roy Jenson on Wikipedia »
Neil Hope
Neil Hope (September 24, 1972 Toronto-November 25, 2007 Hamilton) was a Canadian actor.
He was best known for his role as Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on the popular Canadian television series Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High. Hope was born in Toronto and began his acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials and small roles before landing his breakthrough role on Degrassi.
After Degrassi, Hope continued to act in various television shows and films, including an appearance in the horror film "The Gate" and a recurring role on the series "Street Legal". However, he struggled with addiction and ultimately passed away in 2007 at the age of 35.
Hope's legacy continues to live on as his portrayal of "Wheels" remains a beloved character among fans of the Degrassi franchise. Since his passing, the show has paid tribute to him multiple times, including dedicating an episode to his memory in the spin-off series Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Read more about Neil Hope on Wikipedia »
Percy Rodriguez
Percy Rodriguez (June 13, 1918 Montreal-September 6, 2007 Indio) also known as Percy Rodrigues was a Canadian actor and voice actor. He had two children, Gerald Rodriguez and Hollis Rodriguez.
Percy Rodriguez had a prolific career in both film and television. He made his debut in the film "The Lost Moment" in 1947 and later had notable roles in "The Dirty Dozen," "Beneath the Planet of the Apes," and "The Serpent and the Rainbow." On television, he had guest appearances on popular shows such as "Mission: Impossible," "Star Trek," and "The Twilight Zone."
Rodriguez was also known for his voice-over work, lending his distinct voice to commercials, documentaries, and animated series. He was the voice of the U.S. Army for many years, and also narrated the opening of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
Aside from his acting career, Rodriguez was also involved in social activism, serving as a president of the American Screen Actors Guild for several years. He passed away in Indio, California in 2007 at the age of 89.
Read more about Percy Rodriguez on Wikipedia »
Dick Wilson
Dick Wilson (July 30, 1916 City of Preston, Lancashire-November 19, 2007 Woodland Hills) also known as Riccardo DiGuglielmo or Richard Wilson was a Canadian character actor and actor. He had three children, Melanie Wilson, Wendy Wilson and Stuart F. Wilson.
Wilson started his career as a traveling performer with a circus and eventually moved to Hollywood, where he began working in film and television in the 1950s. He was best known for his role as the grocery store manager Mr. Whipple in Charmin toilet paper commercials, which he played from 1964 to 1985. Wilson also appeared in several TV shows and movies, including Bewitched, The Bob Newhart Show, The Twilight Zone, and That Girl. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance in the sitcom, Home Improvement. Additionally, Wilson was heavily involved in philanthropy work and he co-founded the Children's Action Network, which focused on improving the lives of children in poverty. Wilson passed away at the age of 91 in Woodland Hills, California.
Read more about Dick Wilson on Wikipedia »
Stu Nahan
Stu Nahan (June 23, 1926 Los Angeles-December 26, 2007 Studio City) was a Canadian journalist, sports commentator, actor and newscaster. His children are called Kathleen Nahan, Mick Nahan, K.C. Nahan and Marcie Nahan.
Nahan began working in journalism in the 1940s, eventually landing a job as a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Examiner. He spent over a decade covering sports and later transitioned to sports announcing. Nahan is perhaps best known for his role as the boxing commentator in the Rocky movie franchise, a role that he reprised in each film. In addition to his work as a journalist and commentator, Nahan also appeared in numerous films and television shows. Some of his acting credits include appearances in CHiPs, Seinfeld, and Cheers. Nahan has been inducted into both the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Read more about Stu Nahan on Wikipedia »
Keith Knight
Keith Knight (January 20, 1956 Toronto-August 22, 2007 Toronto) was a Canadian actor and voice actor.
Knight was best known for his role as Sergei on the hit Canadian television series, Due South. He also provided voices for various animated series, including Beetlejuice, Franklin the Turtle, and The Busy World of Richard Scarry.
In addition to his work in television and animation, Knight was an accomplished stage actor, performing in numerous productions across Canada. He was also a talented musician, playing guitar and singing in a handful of bands throughout his career.
Knight passed away in 2007 at the age of 51. He was remembered by colleagues and fans alike for his immense talent and vibrant personality.
Read more about Keith Knight on Wikipedia »
Bradley Lavelle
Bradley Lavelle (March 31, 1958 Toronto-March 22, 2007 London) also known as Bradley Savelle, Brad Lavelle, Richard Bradley Lavelle, Richard Bradley "Ivan" Lavelle or Bradley Lavell was a Canadian actor and voice actor.
He started his career in the late 1980s and appeared in several TV shows and films, including "Street Legal," "Due South," and "The Babysitter's Club." Lavelle was known for his distinctive voice and lent it to various animated characters such as Jean-Luc in "X-Men: Evolution" and Arnold Wesker/Ventriloquist in "The Batman." He was also an accomplished stage actor and performed in several notable productions in Toronto, such as "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Merchant of Venice." Lavelle continued to work in the industry until his untimely death in 2007 at the age of 48.
Read more about Bradley Lavelle on Wikipedia »
Dennis St John
Dennis St John (September 27, 1928 Lambeth-November 6, 2007 Montreal) a.k.a. Dennis St-John, Dennis St. John or Sinj was a Canadian actor.
He was born in Lambeth, a district in South London, England, and later moved to Canada, where he became a well-known character actor. He appeared in numerous movies and television series throughout his career, including "The Dirty Dozen", "The Thomas Crown Affair", "The Dukes of Hazzard", and "Murdoch Mysteries". In addition to his acting work, St John was also a successful voice-over artist, lending his voice to many commercials and animated shows. Despite his success in the entertainment industry, St John was known for his humility and kindness, and was greatly respected by his peers. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.
Read more about Dennis St John on Wikipedia »