Many Canadians have expatriated to the United States and Europe. Many people are not aware of their inspirations and early life stories. Here are top 10 Canadian Born Celebrities, Canadians are proud to claim as theirs.
1. Celine Dion (Singer):
Born in Quebec, Celine Dion tops the list of Canadians. She is famous for her Titanic soundtrack song “My Heart Will Go On.” She has a stunning voice and a stunning look which people adore.
2. Keanu Reeves (Actor):
Although Reeves was born on September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon, he moved around a lot. He lived in New York, Australia and in Toronto for quite some time. He mostly grew up in Toronto where he attended 4 high schools, including the Etobicoke School of Arts.
3. Pamela Anderson (Actress/Model):
Many titles suit Anderson. She is most famous for her role as CJ on the TV show Baywatch. Additionally, she is known for her scandalous and trivial relationships with Tommy Lee and Kid Rock. Many, however, forget that she is Canadian and was born in British Columbia. She struck fame during a BC Lions game.
4. Bryan Adams (Singer):
Inspired by the Beatles, Bryan Adams is one of the best singers Canadians should be proud of. He has had numerous successes and won multiple Grammy Awards. He successfully did duets with Celine Dion (another Canadian), Barbara Streisand and Tina Turner.
5. Jim Carrey (Actor):
Born in Newmarket, Ontario, Jim Carrey is one of thing Canadians are proud to have born and bred. When young, Carrey moved to Scarborough, Ontario where he attended Agincourt Collegiate Institute and Northview Heights Secondary School. He proudly talks about his Canadian background, especially in his early stand-up comedy appearances. You can view the clips on Youtube.
6. Shania Twain (Singer)
This country singer is proud of her Canadian origin. She struck fame in 1995 with her album, The “Woman in Me.” When her parents divorced, she and her mother moved to Timmins, Ontario. She currently resides and lives in Switzerland, but returned to carry the Olympic Torch in 2010 in her hometown.
7. Nelly Furtado (Singer):
Furtado is of Portuguese origin and was born on December 2, 1978 in Victoria, British Columbia. She struck fame when she sung with her mother in church. This was the beginning of a dream she had to become a singer.
8. Michael J. Fox (Actor/Activist):
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, this Canadian Actor is famous for his role in Spin City. He is also a spokesperson for Parkinson ’s disease. He started the Michael J. Fox foundation which helps raise money for Parkinson’s disease research and to find a cure. A school in York Region is opening up in September 2012 in his name.
9. Catherine O’Hara (Actress):
The on-screen mother of Macaulay Culkin in the first two movies of Home Alone is Canadian. She was born in Toronto, Ontario to a large Irish family. She was featured last year at the closing of the Vancouver Olympics, where she defined Canada and her citizenship.
10. Neve Campbell (Actress):
Born in Guelph, Ontario to a yoga instructor and psychologist, Neve Campbell debuts at # 10 on this list. She is most famously known for her role as Julie Salinger on Party of Five and for her appearances on the Cat Walk. The Party of Five role brought her fame and fortune as she went on to appear in Scream movies.
There are other Canadians who never made on this list who deserve mention: Shawn Desman, William Shatner and Kathleen Robertson. The list is small and can go on forever. However, there are only 10 spots and here they are, as they are.
He might not qualify as a “celebrity”, but Neil Young is certainly as famous/influential as anyone on this list.