20 popular Canadian actors making it big in the movie industry
If you thought the best actors only came from America, you're in for a rude awakening. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood aren't even Americans. Because America is known as the land of opportunities, the country has welcomed some of the best talent in the world, including from Canada. Canadian actors continue making inroads into the film industry, appearing in some high-profile productions.
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What comes to mind when you think of Canada? You might imagine a vast landmass, tons of snow and a maple leaf flag. While these things are authentically Canadian, the country has much more to offer. Many well-known Hollywood actors are a product of this great nation.
20 popular Canadian actors
Musicians Justin Bieber, Drake, and Celine Dion are among the best talent to come out of Canada. But did you know that some famous Hollywood stars were born in Canada? Find out who these Canadian actors and actresses are in the list below.
1. Alexander Ludwig
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| Date of birth | 7 May 1992 |
| Place of birth | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Age | 30 years (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 188 cm |
| Debut year | 2000 |
| Debut film | Air Bud: World Pup |
Alexander Ludwig is a well-known actor and country singer best known for his roles in The Hunger Games (as Cato) and Vikings (as Bjorn Ironside).
Ludwig was born on 7 May 1992, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to Sharlene (née Martin), a former actress and businessman, Harald Horst Ludwig. Alexander is among the top famous Canadian actors, thanks to his success in the industry.
According to IMDb, Ludwig has 28 credits as an actor and has won several awards, including the Canadian Screen Award (2018), MTV Movie Award (2012), and Teen Choice Award (2012).
2. Cobie Smulders
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| Date of birth | 3 April 1982 |
| Place of birth | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Age | 40 years (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 173 cm |
| Debut year | 2002 |
| Debut TV show | Jeremiah |
Jacoba Francisca Maria "Cobie" Smulders was born to a Dutch father and a British mother in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. Cobie is best known for her roles in How I Met Your Mother as Robin Scherbatsky and in The Avengers films as SHIELD agent Maria Hill.
Cobie has 57 acting credits and has been performing for over twenty years. Her first acting role was as a guest in the television series Jeremiah, and her most recent appearance was in the television series High School (2022).
3. Elliot Page
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| Date of birth | 21 February 1987 |
| Place of birth | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Age | 35 years (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 155 cm |
| Debut year | 1997 |
| Debut film | Pit Pony |
Elliot Page is familiar if you have watched Juno or X-Men: Days of Future Past. She also played prominent roles in other films, earning various accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Juno.
Elliot started her career in 1997, aged ten, when she starred in Pit Pony as Maggie Maclean. The star has gone on to feature in various flicks, including Hard Candy as Hayley Stark and Inception as Ariadne. According to IMDb, Elliot Page has 51 credits as an actor. Her most recent feature is voicing Victoria Walker in the cartoon TV series ARK: The Animated Series (2023).
4. Finn Wolfhard
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| Date of birth | 23 December 2002 |
| Place of birth | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Age | 20 years (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 178 cm |
| Debut year | 2013 |
| Debut film | Aftermath |
Finn Wolfhard is a musician and actor among the top young Canadian actors. He rose to prominence as Mike Wheeler in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Among his film roles is Boris Pavlovsky in The Goldfinch (2019), Richie Tozier in It (2017 and 2019), and Pugsley Addams (voice) in The Addams Family (2019).
According to Highsnobiety, Wolfhard landed his first acting role through Craigslist in the short film Aftermath. He made his acting and television debut as Zoran in The 100's second season in 2014.
5. Jay Baruchel
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| Date of birth | 9 April 1982 |
| Place of birth | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 40 years (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 183 cm |
| Debut year | 1995 |
| Debut film | Are You Afraid of the Dark? |
Jonathan Baruchel is a comedian, screenwriter, and director from Canada. He is most well-known for his role as Hiccup Haddock in the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise. Baruchel made his acting debut in 1995 at 12 in Are You Afraid of the Dark? A horror anthology television series.
According to IMDb, Jay Baruchel has 74 acting credits, including roles in the comedies Knocked Up, The Trotsky, Fanboys, Goon, and This Is the End.
6. Jim Carrey
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| Date of birth | 17 January 1962 |
| Place of birth | Newmarket, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 61 years old (as of 2023) |
| Height | 188 cm |
| Debut year | 1981 |
| Debut TV show | Rubber Face |
Which name comes to mind when you think of the best Canadian voice actors? Of course, Jim Carrey! Carrey grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, where he developed an interest in impressions and making funny faces in front of a mirror.
According to Britannica, Carrey moved to Hollywood permanently in 1983. He began his career at The Comedy Store before landing a role in In Living Color from 1990 to 1994. The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and Bruce Almighty are among his most well-known works.
7. Joshua Jackson
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| Date of birth | 11 June 1978 |
| Place of birth | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Age | 44 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 185 cm |
| Debut year | 1991 |
| Debut film | Crooked Hearts |
Joshua Carter Jackson is a Canadian-American actor who has appeared in films and television. He was born in Vancouver to parents John and Fiona but grew up in California. Joshua is best known for his roles as Charlie Conway in Mighty Ducks and Pacey Witter in Dawson's Creek (1998–2003).
Jackson's career began in 1991, with a small part in Crooked Hearts. Carter has 53 acting credits and has won numerous awards, including the Genie Award for Best Performance and the Jury Award for Best Actor.
8. Keanu Reeves
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| Date of birth | 2 September 1964 |
| Place of birth | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Age | 58 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 186 cm |
| Debut year | 1984 |
| Debut TV show | Hangin' In |
Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, before being moved as a child to Toronto, where he spent his adolescence. His parents were Patricia (née Taylor), a costume designer and performer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.
According to IMDb, Keanu has 110 acting credits and has won numerous awards, including the Bambi Awards, Bravo Otto Germany, and the CinemaCon Award.
9. Kiefer Sutherland
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| Date of birth | 21 December 1966 |
| Place of birth | London, England |
| Age | 56 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 175 cm |
| Debut year | 1983 |
| Debut film | Max Dugan Returns |
Kiefer William Sutherland is a musician and actor of British and Canadian origin. He is best known for his role as Jack Bauer in Fox's drama series 24. He has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Satellite Awards for his performances.
According to IMDb, Sutherland made his screen debut in Max Dugan Returns (1983) and has 104 acting credits and 61 career nominations.
10. Matthew Perry
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| Date of birth | 19 August 1969 |
| Place of birth | Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA |
| Age | 53 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 183 |
| Debut year | 1988 |
| Debut film | A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon |
Matthew Langford Perry is an American-Canadian actor, comedian, and producer. He is best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom Friends (1994–2004). Perry was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to Suzanne Marie Morrison (née Langford) and John Bennett Perry.
According to IMDb, Perry moved from Ottawa to Los Angeles when he was 15 to pursue acting and graduated from The Buckley School in 1987. He made his film debut in 1988 with A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon.
11. Mike Myers
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| Date of birth | 25 May 1963 |
| Place of birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 59 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 173 cm |
| Debut year | 1973 |
| Debut on TV | Commercial for British Columbia Hydro |
Michael John Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He rose to prominence as a performer on Saturday Night Live (1989-1995), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Myers has won seven MTV Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
12. Rachel McAdams
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| Date of birth | 17 November 1978 |
| Place of birth | London, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 44 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 163 cm |
| Debut year | 2001 |
| Debut film | Shotgun Love Dolls |
Rachel Anne McAdams is a Canadian actress best known for performing in the comedy film Mean Girls. She worked in Canadian television and film productions after graduating from a theatre degree programme at York University in 2001.
Perfect Pie (2002), My Name Is Tanino (2002), and Slings and Arrows (2002) are among her notable early works. According to IMDb, Rachael has 41 acting credits and one Oscar nomination. Among her other awards are the Robert Altman Award and the Gemini Awards.
13. Ryan Gosling
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| Date of birth | 12 November 1980 |
| Place of birth | London, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 42 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 184 cm |
| Debut year | 1993 |
| Debut TV show | The Mickey Mouse Club |
Ryan Thomas Gosling is a Canadian actor best known for his performance in the romantic drama The Notebook. The star, born and raised in London, Ontario, rose to prominence as a child star at thirteen. In 1993, he made his debut on the Disney Channel variety show The Mickey Mouse Club.
Gosling is well-known for his work in independent films, but he has also worked on blockbuster films of various genres. He has won several awards, including a Golden Globe and nominations for two Academy Awards and a BAFTA Award.
14. Ryan Reynolds
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| Date of birth | 23 October 1976 |
| Place of birth | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Age | 46 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 188 cm |
| Debut year | 1991 |
| Debut film | Hillside (known as Fifteen in the US) |
Ryan Rodney Reynolds is a Canadian-American businessman and actor. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Ryan has been a constant presence in Hollywood since landing the lead role in Two Guys and a Girl (1998).
Renolds started his career in the Canadian teen soap opera Hillside (1991–1993). Since then, he has had a successful career, appearing in films such as Deadpool, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, Free Guy, and Red Notice.
15. Sandra Oh
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| Date of birth | 20 July 1971 |
| Place of birth | Nepean, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 51 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 168 cm |
| Debut year | 1994 |
| Debut film | Double Happiness |
Sandra Miju Oh is a Canadian-American actress who has appeared in Arliss (1996-2002), Grey's Anatomy (2005-2014), and Killing Eve (2018–2022). Sandra is a decorated and esteemed actress on both the big and small screens known for her commanding performances.
According to IMDb, Oh was born in Nepean, Ontario, to South Korean immigrants. She began acting at four and shot to fame in 1994 with the film Double Happiness.
16. Seth Rogen
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| Date of birth | 15 April 1982 |
| Place of birth | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Age | 40 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 180 cm |
| Debut year | 1999 |
| Debut TV show | Fre*ks and Geeks |
Seth Aaron Rogen is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He was born to a Jewish family of Ukrainian and Russian origin in Vancouver, British Columbia. Sandy Belogus, his mother, is a social worker, while his father, Mark Rogen, works for non-profit organisations.
Seth began his career as a stand-up comedian in Vancouver before moving to Los Angeles for a role in Judd Apatow's series Fre*ks and Geeks. He was then cast in Apatow's sitcom Undeclared, where he also served as a writer.
17. Shawn Ashmore
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| Date of birth | 7 October 1979 |
| Place of birth | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada |
| Age | 43 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 180 cm |
| Debut year | 1989 |
| Debut TV show | Katts and Dog |
Shawn Robert Ashmore is a Canadian actor best known for his roles in the X-Men film series as Bobby Drake/Iceman. The actor was born in Richmond, British Columbia, to homemaker Linda (née Davis) and manufacturing engineer Rick Ashmore.
Shawn debuted in 1989 as a minor character in Katts and Dog, a French and Canadian-produced television series. His most recent roles include Aftermath (2021) and Darkness Falls (2020).
18. Victor Garber
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| Date of birth | 16 March 1949 |
| Place of birth | London, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 73 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 184 cm |
| Debut year | 1973 |
| Debut film | Godspell |
Victor Jay Garber is a Canadian-American actor and singer who has appeared in various films, television shows, and plays. He has received three Gemini Awards, four Tony Awards, and six Primetime Emmy nominations.
Garber is of Russian-Jewish descent and was born in London, Ontario, Canada. Joseph Garber was his father, and Bessie Hope Wolf was his mother. According to TV Guide, Garber began acting at the age of nine in 1958, but it was in 1973 that he landed his first significant role, starring in the musical film Godspell.
19. William Shatner
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| Date of birth | 22 March 1931 |
| Place of birth | Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Age | 91 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 177 cm |
| Debut year | 1951 |
| Debut film | The Butler's Night Off |
William Shatner is a Canadian actor best known for playing James T. Kirk in the Star Trek film series. Shatner has appeared in several films throughout his seven-decade career, including William Shatner: War Chronicles, Boston Legal, and A Twist in the Tale.
According to IMDb, Shatner has 249 credits as an actor and has won 2 Primetime Emmy awards in his career, among other accolades.
20. Eric McCormack
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| Date of birth | 18 April 1963 |
| Place of birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Age | 59 years old (as of January 2023) |
| Height | 180 cm |
| Debut year | 1986 |
| Debut film | The Boys from Syracuse |
Eric James McCormack is a Canadian actor best known for his role as Will Truman in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace. McCormack was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Doris, a housewife, and James "Keith" McCormack, an oil company financial analyst.
Why are so many Canadian actors in Hallmark movies?
Most Hallmark movies are produced in Canada due to tax breaks, beautiful weather, financial benefits, location, and the dependability of the talent and crew.
Which Canadian actor served in the military?
James Doohan is among the famous Canadian actors who served in the military. James joined the Royal Canadian Artillery's 14th (Midland) Field Battery of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in 1939. He was in the military for seven years (1938-1945) before retiring at the end of WWII.
Canadian actors are making significant advances in the film industry, and these stars have proven their abilities on big and small screens. If you are a movie buff, you now know where your favourite actor is from.
Yen.com.gh published an intriguing story about famous Hollywood short actors. If you enjoy watching movies, you may have seen some of these celebrities. Most of these actors have been producing high-quality content for a long time and are unafraid of their height.
If you thought being short was a disadvantage, you'd be surprised by the success of these famous short actors. Learn everything there is to know about them in this enlightening read.
Source: YEN.com.gh
