Some of Hollywood’s most endearing and charismatic performers hail from the Great White North, having established themselves in American cinema. Many of these gifted actors have had successful careers in both Canada and the United States, showcasing their likability and talent while attracting loyal and passionate fans along the way. Oftentimes, these individuals set out for famous places like Los Angeles or New York City, in hopes of making a career in entertainment in Tinsel Town or in Broadway shows and plays. Star Trek legend William Shatner traveled to the Big Apple in 1954, for instance, leaving his home behind in search of greener pastures and opportunities.

Two of comedy’s most respected and brightest stars came from Canada, with Mike Myers and Jim Carrey being born in Toronto and Newmarket, Ontario, respectively. Their hilarious contributions to both the big and the small screen have earned the comedians accolades, appreciation and profound status in the entertainment industry. While many are aware that singers like Celine Dion and Justin Bieber have roots in Canada, some may not realize just how many exceptional performers call the country home. These are some of the best actors you didn’t know were Canadian.

Seth Rogen

Famous for his roles in uproarious comedies like Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, and Neighbors, the hilarious and always entertaining Seth Rogen has created quite the impressive acting resume since his debut in the Judd Apatow cult classic show Freaks and Geeks. Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Rogen famously met his future writing partner Evan Goldberg at bar mitzvah classes, with the duo going on to write a rough draft for Superbad at just 13 years old. Together they would take Hollywood by storm with iconic farces like Superbad and This Is the End, as well as an adaptation of the popular comic Preacher, and would produce a variety of successful projects, including The Boys,


Related: These Are the Best Seth Rogen Movies, Ranked

Rachel McAdams

Born in London, Ontario, the dynamic and talented Rachel McAdams discovered her passion for performing when she was just seven, attending Disney and Shakespeare summer camps while also participating in Original Kids Theater Company, London productions throughout her teenage years. The actress made her Canadian film debut in the 2002 comedy My Name is Tanino before transitioning to Hollywood cinema in the Rob Schneider farce The Hot Chick, appearing as a catty high school student who switches bodies with Schneider’s character. McAdams has gone on to have an illustrious career with memorable roles in Mean Girls, The Notebook, The Wedding Crashers and Doctor Strange.

Keanu Reeves

Acting chameleon Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon before being relocated to Toronto at a young age, where he was raised throughout his adolescence. The movie star attended four different high schools while growing up, having been expelled from the Etobicoke School of the Arts because he was “just a little too rambunctious and shot my mouth off once too often… I was not generally the most well-oiled machine in the school.”


Reeves went on to attend the Avondale Secondary Alternative School while he attempted to become an actor, ultimately dropping out at 17 and obtaining his green card to move to Los Angeles three years later. He has since become a cinema sweetheart, starring in a slew of famous flicks like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, The Matrix series of movies, and the titular assassin in the John Wick franchise.

William Shatner

With an outstanding career spanning seven decades, William Shatner is perhaps best known for his iconic portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the groundbreaking sci-fi franchise Star Trek. Born in Montreal, Quebec, the renowned performer got his acting start in Canadian films and television shows, beginning in 1951 with a small role in the Canadian dramedy The Butler’s Night Off, before he headed to New York City in 1954 in hope of building a Broadway stage career. Shatner’s first major Hollywood picture was as Alexei in the 1958 drama The Brothers Karamazov, which led to subsequent parts in films like The Intruder, Incubus and the spaghetti western White Comanche; he nabbed the character of Captain Kirk in 1966, a role that he has since become synonymous with, but has given great performances elsewhere, especially in Boston Legal.

Sandra Oh

Revered for her commanding performances as determined and headstrong characters like Dr. Christina Yang on the mega hit medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy and British intelligence agent Eve Polastri in the spy thriller show Killing Eve, Sandra Oh is a decorated and esteemed actress on both the big and small screen. Born in Nepean, Ontario to South Korean immigrant parents, Oh began acting at the age of four, joining the drama club and appearing in the Canadian Improv Games and comedy group Skit Row High.

The actress rose to prominence with the lead role in the 1994 Canadian drama Double Happiness, for which she won the Genie Award for Best Actress and earned critical acclaim. In 2019, Oh became the first Asian-Canadian woman to host Saturday Night Live and she became a naturalized American citizen in 2018.

Mike Myers

Comedic genius Mike Myers first gained widespread recognition when he joined the beloved sketch series Saturday Night Live in 1989, establishing himself as one of the program’s most adored and charismatic performers. Entertainment Weekly praised the rising star, expressing how he “quickly became one of the show’s biggest draws thanks to his talent for creating oddball characters with memorable catchphrases.” Prior to nabbing a spot on the long-running comedy staple Myers got his start in his hometown of Toronto, landing roles on Canadian shows like King of Kensington, Wide Awake Club and City Limits while performing in The Second City Canadian touring company. Myers has gone on to star in Wayne’s World, the Shrek animated franchise and as the titular spy in the Austin Powers films.

Ryan Gosling

Born and raised in London, Ontario, the gifted Ryan Gosling first rose to prominence as a child star at just thirteen when he appeared in the Disney Channel variety show The Mickey Mouse Club, starring along future music sensations like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. Gosling would star in children’s programs like Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps before co-starring in the psychological thriller Murder by Numbers and the independent drama The Slaughter Rule.

Related: Ryan Golsing: What Has He Been Doing During His Five-Year Absence?

The performer gained mainstream recognition when he appeared alongside fellow Canadian Rachel McAdams in the famed romantic drama The Notebook, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel. Gosling has continued to demonstrate his impeccable acting skills in films like Blue Valentine, La La Land, Drive and Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Jim Carrey

Admired for his hilarious and energetic slapstick performances, the talented comedian and actor Jim Carrey grew up in Newmarket, Ontario where, at the age of eight, he discovered a talent for impressions and making funny faces in front of a mirror. He began stand-up at just fifteen-years-old in 1977, testing out his stage act in downtown Toronto before auditioning for the 1980-81 season of Saturday Night Live, ultimately being turned down.

Carrey permanently moved to Hollywood in 1983, performing at The Comedy Store and eventually landing a role in the ensemble comedy series In Living Color from 1990 to 1994. He would rise to worldwide fame in hit ‘90s pictures like The Mask, Dumb and Dumber and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and later further establishing himself as a dynamic actor in movies like The Truman Show, Bruce Almighty and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Ryan Reynolds

Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, charismatic funny man Ryan Reynolds has been a constant presence in Hollywood since he landed the lead role on the 1998 sitcom Two Guys and a Girl, creating an impressive and colorful acting resume in the nearly 25-years since. After starring in comedies like National Lampoon’s Van Wilder and Waiting…, Reynolds went on to appear in blockbuster hits like The Proposal, Buried and The Croods, before landing the role of the foul-mouthed titular mercenary in the smash hit 2016 superhero movie Deadpool.

The charming performer would go on to headline exciting pictures like Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, Free Guy and Red Notice, cementing his status as a highly buzzed about leading man and lucrative box-office draw; he is one of the highest-grossing film actors of all time, amassing over $5 billion worldwide.

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