Gordon Pinsent

Gordon Pinsent, a Canadian actor, writer, director and singer, started acting on stage while still in his teens in the 1940s. Born in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, he took on early roles in CBC radio drama before beginning professional stage work in 1957 at Winnipeg's Theatre 77 under John Hirsch, later performing at Toronto's Crest Theatre and the Stratford Festival. He became a familiar presence on Canadian television in series such as Quentin Durgens, M.P., A Gift to Last, which he created, The Red Green Show, and Due South. His film work included The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970), The Shipping News (2001), and Away from Her (2006), and he wrote the screenplays for John and the Missus and The Rowdyman. He also voiced King Babar in the Babar productions from 1989 to 2015. His honors included five Gemini Awards, three Genie Awards, the 1997 Earle Grey Award, and the 2004 Governor General's Performing Arts Award.