“O Canada! Our home and native land!” is probably what these celebrities sing whenever they watch a ball game. Although many people assume that you need to be from a major hub like New York City or Los Angeles to make it in the entertainment industry, these folks prove it isn’t a necessity. Here are eight of the acting industry’s best and brightest—who also happen to be Canadian.
1. Jim Carrey
Screwball comedies were all the rage in the late 1990s and early aughts, and there are few actors more synonymous with that era than Ontario-born actor Carrey. During those years, he was that guy, bringing his signature slapstick style and broad comedy to a slew of films including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “The Mask,” and “Bruce Almighty.” While Carrey currently considers himself in something of a quasi-retirement, he’s still around, and still as committed to the bit as ever. He gives every bit 110%, never being afraid to take something too far or make something too silly—an approach that continues to influence the comedy landscape today.
2. Michael J. Fox
Great Scott! Fox is Canadian! The Alberta-born actor has been in the spotlight nearly his whole life, with breakout roles on “Family Ties” (for which he won three of his five Emmys) and “Back to the Future.” Though best known for his nice-guy-with-an-edge roles, in recent years, Fox has become equally renowned for his humanitarian outreach. In 1991, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a debilitating nerve disease. Ever the go-getter, Fox continued (and continues!) to act through his diagnosis, redefining what it means to be both an actor and an activist. He was able to use his platform to found the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has funded a staggering $2.5 billion in research programs to date.
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3. Rachel McAdams
In 2003, Ontario-born McAdams wasn’t on many peoples’ radars, but by 2004 she was everywhere, due to two hit films that saw her in very different roles: She starred as high-school terror Regina George in “Mean Girls,” and love-struck girl-next-door Allie Hamilton in “The Notebook.” That dual casting set the tone for the rest of her career, throughout which she has played a wide variety of roles ranging from romantic leads (“The Vow,” “About Time”), comedic roles (“Wedding Crashers,” “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”) and, more recently, well-intentioned mothers (“Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret”). In an industry that’s desperate to pigeonhole its actors, McAdams refuses to be painted into a corner.
4. Sandra Oh
The face of Dr. Cristina Yang on “Grey’s Anatomy” has been nominated for 14 Emmy Awards. She finally won in 2024 for producing and starring in the Hulu film “Quiz Lady.” Born in Ottawa, Oh is recognizable for her relatable roles, but has also been a champion for Asian representation in the performing arts. In 2018, she garnered an Emmy nomination for best actress in a drama for her work on “Killing Eve,” becoming the first Asian woman ever to have been nominated for the award. She has also been outspoken about women’s representation in the industry, especially in directorial roles. As she told the Guardian in 2025, the majority of her opportunities have been given to her by women. “The old white patriarchy hasn’t knocked on my door yet!” she said. “Where am I going to put my power? I’m going to put it in the young women who see something in me.”
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5. Catherine O’Hara
Hailing from Toronto, O’Hara’s big break came in 1976, when she landed a spot on the Canadian sketch comedy series “SCTV”—the starting place for many fellow comedic Canadians, including John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis. When the show moved to American television as “SCTV Network,” O’Hara and her costars won an Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety series in 1982. She was a mainstay in the “Home Alone” film franchise and in Christopher Guest’s mockumentary films (“Waiting for Guffman,” “A Mighty Wind,” etc.). Later, she became famous to a whole new generation of viewers for her role as eccentric matriarch Moira Rose on “Schitt’s Creek,” which earned her an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series in 2020. Over her 50-year career, O’Hara has continued to break barriers in the generally male-dominated comedy sphere, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential voices in comedy.
6. Anna Paquin
Though New Zealand can lay some claim to Paquin (she moved to Wellington at age 4), she was born in Winnipeg and later inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame. Her entire career has been remarkable, including starring in cult classics like “Almost Famous” and “She’s All That.” But her first role was truly legendary. In 1994, when she was only 11 years old, Paquin won a best supporting actress Oscar for her role as Flora McGrath in “The Piano,” making her the second-youngest Oscar winner of all time. Paquin’s career should be a reminder to all young actors that extensive credits are not a requirement to achieve greatness.
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7. Christopher Plummer
The Toronto-born actor who breathed life into Captain Georg von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” (a film he reportedly didn’t really like) is the only Canadian ever to have won the Triple Crown of Acting (an Emmy, a Tony, and an Oscar). In Plummer’s case, he had duplicates: Emmys for “Arthur Hailey’s the Moneychangers” in 1977 and “The New Adventures of Madeline” in 1994, and Tony Awards for “Cyrano” in 1974 and “Barrymore” in 1997. He completed his Triple Crown with a best supporting actor Oscar for “Beginners” in 2012, which at the time, made him the oldest Oscar winner in history (that record was broken by Anthony Hopkins in 2021). Before passing away in 2021 at the age of 91, Plummer never went into anything resembling retirement (his 2019 role in “Knives Out” is particularly memorable), proving that age is not a factor if you really enjoy the craft.
8. Martin Short
Another much-beloved comedian from Canada (there seem to be so many), Short was born and raised in Ontario. After starring in a mind-bogglingly star-studded Toronto production of “Godspell,” Short reached wider audiences when he joined “SCTV Network” as a writer and cast member in 1982, later joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live” for a single season in 1984. He has become synonymous with many of his sketch characters, especially interviewer Jiminy Glick; the character eventually starred in his own TV show, movie, and Broadway musical. Short’s humor has always been self-deprecating and slightly off-beat, but it seems that’s what’s helped him stand the test of time; though he’s in his 70s, Short seems to be hitting a career high, finally getting the critical recognition he deserves. The actor is currently starring on “Only Murders in the Building,” which just aired its fifth season, and is actively touring with his showbiz bestie Steve Martin. This should serve as an inspiration to other actors to just stay the course; perseverance can pay off.
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