Canada’s Walk of Fame Cements Another Legendary Group of Canadians into the Sidewalks of Toronto

Filed Under Celebs, Gossip | June 6th, 2008 

Peter Soumalias, founding director of Canada's Walk of Fame, celebrates the announcement of the 2008 inductees with Brent Butt, Canadian comedian and host of the announcement. (CNW Group/Canada's Walk of Fame)TORONTO, (CNW) – The latest group of inductees to Canada’s Walk of Fame were announced this week, and include Canadian-bred, internationally recognized names representing the best of Canadian talent from the arts, music, film, fashion, sports and innovation. Once again, the new list of Canadian luminaries will be celebrated during CTV’s broadcast of Canada’s Walk of Fame, to be taped live on Saturday, September 6 at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

“From the basketball court to the fashion runway, this year’s impressive list of inductees truly shows the depth of talent we have in Canada,” said Peter Soumalias, founding director of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Whether they are performing on stage, acting in-font of the camera, calling the shots behind the scenes, supporting a cause or leading their team on the sports field, Canadian talent is being recognized on the world stage like never before.”

Since its first broadcast in 2005, CTV has been a partner and broadcaster of the Canada’s Walk of Fame gala tribute as well as the red carpet arrivals special, eTalk at Canada’s Walk of Fame. The broadcast date and time for the 2008 presentation of Canada’s Walk of Fame will be announced at a later date.

“Once again, CTV will bring one of the most glittering and glamorous nights on the calendar to viewers across the country,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative and Channels, CTV Inc. “With this year’s gala being held during the Toronto International Film Festival, viewers can expect more stars than ever.”

In addition to the seven inductees above, the late Norma and Douglas Shearer will receive the inaugural Canadian Legends Award sponsored by Cineplex Entertainment and Universal Studios Canada. This new award is given posthumously to Canadian pioneers in film, music, sport, arts, and innovation. As part of their continuing recognition of Canadian film, Cineplex Entertainment and Universal Studios Canada are proud to sponsor this new award as well as Canada’s Walk of Fame.

This year’s inductees will join 107 other distinguished Canadians who have been honoured with having their names cemented into the sidewalks of Toronto’s entertainment district.

The 2008 festivities will include an entire weekend of special events culminating with a red carpet ceremony, star unveilings and a gala tribute presentation at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, which all inductees are confirmed to attend.

To qualify for induction to Canada’s Walk of Fame, candidates must have been born in Canada or spent their formative or creative years here. They must also have been successful for a minimum of 10 years and have a body of work recognized for its impact on our cultural heritage.

The 2008 Inductees for Canada’s Walk of Fame include:

- Bryan Adams * (Hometown: Kingston, Ontario)

At the age of 15, Adams left school to pursue his musical dreams and began song writing and performing with various bands. His talents would soon earn him a publishing contract and recording deal with A & M Records, leading to a string of hit records including, Cuts Like a Knife and Reckless, which would reach Diamond status in Canada – a first for a Canadian artist. With 55 JUNO Award nominations, 18 JUNO Award wins and over 65 million albums sold globally, Adams’ trademark raspy voice is known the world over.

- Frances Bay (Hometown: Mainville, Alberta)

Affectionately known as “Hollywood’s Grandma,” Bay’s film career didn’t begin until the age of 60, when she had a small role in a Goldie Hawn film, Foul Play. Since then she has starred in many popular films, including Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore, a role for which she is most often recognized. No stranger to Canadian audiences, Bay won a Gemini award for her role in Road to Avonlea, and has acted in both on and off-Broadway stage productions and regional theatre.

James Cameron (Hometown: Kapuskasing, Ontario)

Cameron’s film industry career began in 1978 when he left a trucking job to produce a 35mm short film. The visual effects in that film lead him to work on Roger Corman’s Battle Beyond the Stars and Galaxy of Terror. Cameron’s script writing began in 1983 when he penned scripts for Rambo: First Blood Part 2, Aliens and The Terminator, a film which he also directed. Since then, his films have blazed new trails in visual effects and have set numerous performance records both domestically and abroad, including 11 Academy Awards for his 1997 film Titanic, notably the Best Picture and Best Director wins.

- Micheal J. Fox ** (Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta)

Fox began his acting career at the age of 15 with a role in the CBS sitcom, Leo and Me, but his big break came in 1982 when Fox was cast as Alex P. Keaton in the long-running TV series Family Ties, a role for which he would win three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. International film stardom came with his roles in Teen Wolf and the popular trilogy Back to the Future. Diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991, Fox has committed himself to the campaign for increased Parkinson’s research through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

- k.d. lang (Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta)

Born in a Canadian Prairie town, lang began singing in country western venues in the early 1980’s, and was once part of a Patsy Cline tribute band called The Reclines. Her first JUNO Award came in the mid-1980s and led to collaborations with Dave Edmunds and Roy Orbison that would make lang a household name. She has four Grammy Awards and eight JUNO Awards to her name and is a passionate supporter of gay rights issues and HIV/AIDS awareness.

- The Kids in the Hall (Hometown: Toronto, Ottawa and North Bay, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta and Montreal, Quebec)

Consisting of comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson, the troupe was formed in the mid-1980s and named after a Sid Caesar line used to attribute a poorly received joke to “the kids in the hall” – meaning the group of young writers who hung around the studio. In 1986, Lorne Michaels saw them perform and immediately began plans for the self-titled television show that debuted on CBC in 1988. The troupe’s distinctly edgy humour broke new ground with their characterizations of prostitutes, gays, drug users and oddball creations like the vengeful “head crusher” and the chauvinist Cabbage Head.

- Steve Nash (Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia)

Born in South Africa and raised in British Columbia, Nash discovered basketball in Grade 8. Nash’s college basketball career included three NCAA appearances and two nods as West Coast Conference Player of the Year. In 1996, Nash entered the NBA, and quickly became known as one of the best point guards in the league. His career highlights include a lead role on the national team at the 2000 Olympic games, winning the 2005 NBA All-Star Skills Contest, becoming only the second point guard to win the league MVP award multiple times and the third guard in NBA history to win an MVP award back-to-back.

- Daria Werbowy (Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario)

Werbowy’s modeling career began at the age of 14, when she met with a schoolmate’s mother who headed a modeling agency. In 2001, Werbowy appeared on the covers of ELLE Quebec, Clin d’Oeil and Fashion, making her a nationally recognized face. Since then, Werbowy has gained international fame thanks to countless fashion magazine covers; international ad campaigns for Prada, Gucci, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent; and runway appearances for Hermès, Valentino, Missoni and Versace. Werbowy currently has a multi-year contract with Lancôme and recently launched her own unique line of makeup blends with the company.

- Norma and Douglas Shearer (Hometown: Montreal, Quebec)

Born into a prominent Montreal family, Norma and Douglas Shearer’s family fell on hard times when their father’s business failed. Following their parents’ separation, Douglas remained in Montreal while his sister, Norma, moved to New York City with their mother. While in New York, Norma worked as a bit player in small films, gaining the attention of an agent, which soon led to her first lead role in the film The Stealers. After joining MGM, Norma moved to Hollywood and began starring in numerous films, including The Barretts of Wimpole Street and Romeo & Juliet. Norma received six Academy Award nominations throughout her film career, winning a 1931 Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Divorcee. After joining Norma in Hollywood in the early 1920s, Douglas began working in the camera department at MGM, and was appointed head of the sound department in 1928, where he pioneered new methods of sound recording that would lead to 21 Academy Award nominations and 12 wins for scientific and technical development.

About Canada’s Walk of Fame: Established in 1998, Canada’s Walk of Fame aims to engage Canadians in celebrating the accomplishments of Canadians who have excelled on the national or international stage in the areas of the arts, entertainment, sports and innovation. The annual celebration culminates in a televised tribute special that honours Canada’s finest stars. Each inductee is immortalized, their names forever cemented into the sidewalks of Toronto’s entertainment district. To date, 107 Canadians have been honoured. A complete list of inductees and more details on Canada’s Walk of Fame can be found at www.canadasalkoffame.com.

(*) Bryan Adams was an inaugural 1998 inductee but was unable to attend the ceremonies.

(**) Michael J. Fox was first inducted onto the walk in 2000 but was unable to attend the ceremonies.