Many Hollywood talents have settled in Canada, and it’s no surprise that Canadians always support their homegrown celebrities. While we feel connected to these actors and musicians, there’s often much we don’t know as many celebrities keep their private lives guarded from the media. Therefore, it’s fascinating when an A-list Canadian star lifts the veil of secrecy and shares humorous or intriguing facts about their life before fame. Here are some lesser-known facts about some of Canada’s biggest Hollywood names.
Sandra Oh Made an Impression by Lying Down
Before her success in Grey’s Anatomy, Sandra Oh was just another young face auditioning. However, the actress from Nepean, Ont., grabbed her first major role and stood out among the crowd by lying down.
At 19, when auditioning for the lead role in “The Diary of Evelyn Lau,” Oh asked director Sturla Gunnarsson for a few minutes to focus—by lying flat on the floor for five minutes.
Gunnarsson noted about the young actress, who competed against over 1,000 other girls for the role: “I think it was remarkable that at the age of 19, she had the confidence—and the audacity—to do that.”
Eventually, Oh won the role of Evelyn Lau and was nominated for a Gemini Award.
Tommy Chong Helped Sign Jackson 5
Today, most people know Tommy Chong as one half of the comedy duo Cheech and Chong—but prior to that, Chong collaborated with some of Motown’s greatest musical talents.
The Edmonton-born actor was a guitarist and songwriter for the band Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. Their most famous song, “Does Your Mama Know About Me,” co-written by Chong, now 86, became a hit.
In the book “Cheech & Chong: The Unauthorized Biography,” published in 2009, Chong revealed that he met the Jackson 5 during a performance in Chicago in 1967. The Jackson brothers hadn’t yet signed with Motown Records but were invited by Bobby Taylor to the label.
Chong recounted how Joe Jackson, the father of the Jackson 5 members, asked him to consider the Jackson 5’s contract with Motown Records. Chong encouraged Jackson to have his sons sign the contract, playing a small role in propelling the Jackson 5—and later, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson—to superstar status.
Drake’s Uncle Played Bass for Prince
Drake might be one of Canada’s most famous figures, but he’s not the only one in his family with remarkable musical talent. Drake’s uncle, Larry Graham, played bass for Sly and the Family Stone—and notably worked extensively with Prince.
Graham and Prince collaborated multiple times and co-produced the album “GCS 2000” by Graham Central Station.
Graham’s bassline famously opened Prince’s “Welcome 2 America” tour in 2011.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Graham is often credited with pioneering the slapping technique on electric bass guitar.
Céline Dion Won Eurovision… for Switzerland
Canadians may not pay much attention to the annual Eurovision Song Contest, but across the Atlantic, it’s a big event.
Quebec’s Céline Dion won the contest in 1988, narrowly defeating the runner-up by a single point—a win that catapulted her to new heights in her career.
The contest, where European countries send musical acts to perform an original song, saw Switzerland choose Dion to perform their entry—a powerful French ballad titled “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” (Don’t Leave Without Me).European viewers at the time remembered the 1988 event as one of the most exciting voting sequences in Eurovision history. Dion herself has expressed gratitude for the opportunity, as it introduced millions to her superb voice and captivating stage presence.
Ryan Gosling Got Suspended for Throwing Knives
Ryan Gosling may be known for his calm and collected demeanor, but his childhood was quite adventurous.
In 2011, Gosling shared with Company magazine that he first saw the 1982 film “First Blood” while in first grade and deeply identified with Sylvester Stallone’s character, John Rambo.
“The first time I saw Rambo, the movie mesmerized me, and I really thought I was Rambo,” Gosling said. “To the point where one day, I brought a bunch of steak knives to school and threw them around during recess because I thought we were in the movie.”
Gosling learned a lesson from that dangerous stunt—besides being suspended, his mother banned him from watching R-rated movies.
Ryan Reynolds Failed Drama Class
Ryan Reynolds may be one of the funniest actors in the industry, but he admits he wasn’t always a winner—especially in high school.
The Deadpool star confessed to being suspended from his Vancouver high school for stealing a teacher’s car. There was also a time he failed a math class.
However, Reynolds’ story proves that high school successes or failures don’t necessarily determine your future. Despite failing drama class in high school, he became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars.
Keanu Reeves Went from “Speed” to Winnipeg Shakespeare
Immediately after starring in the blockbuster hit “Speed,” Keanu Reeves made a surprising move—he quickly flew to Winnipeg to take on the lead role in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
As a rising actor at the time, Reeves’ performance in the 1995 play at the Manitoba Theatre Centre drew local crowds, with performances consistently sold out.
In a review of the play, Maclean’s theater critic wrote: “Though not fully at home in the big textual speeches, Reeves proves adept at the comic scenes, as well as commanding the stage with agility and gusto in the action sequences.”
Matthew Perry Invented His Iconic Comic Delivery as a Child
The late Matthew Perry will forever be associated with Chandler Bing, a sarcastic yet lovable character he became famous for in the series “Friends.”
Bing’s unique lines were something Perry experimented with since childhood—where he and his friends often emphasized words in school, creating a distinctive way of speaking that delighted them.
Bing’s signature delivery has seeped into our everyday language, now commonly referred to as “Chandler Bing speak.”
Rachel McAdams Worked at McDonald’s, Not Excellently
Like many kids, Rachel McAdams worked at McDonald’s as one of her first jobs, but the fast-food giant may not want her back behind the counter.
“(I worked there) for three years,” McAdams told Glamour magazine. “I wasn’t a very good employee; one time I broke the orange juice machine.”
She also shared that she was a bit germophobic when she started working at the restaurant and her excessive hand-washing made customers wait.
Will Arnett is One of Conan O’Brien’s Favorites
Will Arnett is a Canadian guy with a deep voice and a great sense of humor, two traits that make him a fantastic interviewee, according to Conan O’Brien.
The late-night talk show host regarded the former Arrested Development actor so highly that O’Brien placed Arnett among the top three greatest guests of all time.
It seems O’Brien has a special fondness for Canadian comedians—two other top guests chosen by him and his writers include the late Norm MacDonald and comedian Harland Williams from “Half Baked.”
John Candy Filmed “Home Alone” for Nearly 24 Hours Straight
Every holiday season, John Candy is remembered for his fictional character, Gus Polinski, the “Polka King of the Midwest.”
According to director Chris Columbus, the Toronto-born actor improvised most of his iconic scenes in “Home Alone”—and he had only one day to shoot his part. Columbus revealed that most of Candy’s lines weren’t in the script and were improvised early in the morning by the comedic artist.
Candy, who appeared in the film as a favor to screenwriter John Hughes, was reportedly paid only $414 for his guest appearance. Columbus mentioned that Candy was bitter about the paltry sum until his death in 1994.
Pamela Anderson’s Big Break with the CFL Jumbotron
Before donning the iconic red Baywatch swimsuit, Pamela Anderson began her career at a BC Lions football game in 1989.
Born in Ladysmith, BC, Anderson attended a match at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver with a group of friends when she was unexpectedly broadcasted on the Jumbotron and caught the attention of the local audience. On that occasion, Anderson was wearing a Labatt Blue t-shirt, and the company received a large number of inquiries about the product. Subsequently, the company decided to use Anderson’s image in the famous ‘Blue Zone Girl’ campaign.
From there, Anderson’s entertainment career skyrocketed, making her one of the most recognizable faces of the 1990s.
