Our True North Celebrities, Revisited Quiz

Answer:

The sixteen Canadian celebrities that I chose to highlight in this quiz are amongst my favourites, either as actors, comedians, or musicians (or various combinations thereof). The *incorrect* options were from the UK (Adele, Hugh Laurie, George Michael, Dua Lipa, Rod Stewart) or Australia (Chris Hemsworth, Margot Robbie, Keith Urban).

The Canadians:

Born in Kingston, Ontario, Bryan Adams became one of Canada's most successful rock musicians beginning in the early 1980s. His breakthrough album "Reckless" (1984) produced global hits such as "Summer of '69" and "Run to You." Over his long career, he has earned multiple Grammys and JUNO Awards. Adams is also known for his humanitarian activism and photography work.

Dan Aykroyd was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and became internationally known as part of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live." He co‑wrote and starred in iconic films such as "The Blues Brothers" (1980) and "Ghostbusters" (1984). Beyond comedy and acting, Aykroyd has been involved in business ventures ranging from vodka distilling to music promotion. His career spans film, television, and entrepreneurial work.

Jim Carrey was born in Newmarket, Ontario, and rose to fame through the sketch comedy series "In Living Color." He transitioned into film with major comedy hits including "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," "The Mask," and "Dumb and Dumber," all of which were released in 1994. Carrey later earned critical acclaim for dramatic roles in "The Truman Show" (1998) and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004). He is also known for his artwork and writing.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Nathan Fillion gained early cult fame for his role as Captain Malcolm Reynolds in the TV series "Firefly" (2002). He later became widely recognized for starring in the long‑running detective comedy‑drama "Castle" (2009-16) and more recently the police drama "The Rookie," which began in 2018. Fillion has also worked extensively in voice acting for animation and video games. His career blends television stardom with genre‑fan favourite status.

Ryan Gosling was born in London, Ontario, and began his career on "The Mickey Mouse Club." He went on to build a diverse filmography, starring in acclaimed films such as "Drive" (2011), "La La Land" (2016), and "Barbie" (2023). Gosling has received multiple Academy Award nominations for his acting. He also directs and has ventured into music with his project Dead Man's Bones.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Aubrey Graham - known professionally as Drake - first became known for acting in "Degrassi: The Next Generation" (2001-15). He later emerged as one of the most influential hip‑hop artists of the 21st century, blending rap and R&B in a commercially dominant style. Drake has set streaming records and earned numerous awards, including Grammys. He is also an entrepreneur with ventures in fashion, sports, and entertainment.

Avril Lavigne was born in Belleville, Ontario, and became a global pop-punk sensation with her debut album "Let Go" (2002). Hits from that album like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi" made her an early 2000s icon. Lavigne has continued to release successful albums and remains influential in pop-punk and alternative music. She is also involved in philanthropy through her Avril Lavigne Foundation.

Evangeline Lilly was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and first gained widespread attention for her role as Kate Austen on the TV series "Lost" (2004-10). She later transitioned into major film franchises, including "The Hobbit" (2012, 2013, 2014) trilogy and Marvel's "Ant‑Man" series, beginning in 2015. Lilly is also a published children's author. Her career spans television, film, and writing.

Tatiana Maslany was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and became widely acclaimed for her Emmy‑winning performance on "Orphan Black" (2013-17). The series showcased her ability to portray multiple distinct characters across its run. She has since appeared in various film and TV roles, including Marvel's "She‑Hulk: Attorney at Law" (2022). Maslany is known for her versatility and depth as an actor.

Rachel McAdams was born in London, Ontario, and first gained major recognition with roles in the 2004 films "Mean Girls" and "The Notebook." She has since starred in a wide range of films, including "About Time" (2013), "Spotlight" (2015), and "Doctor Strange" (2016). McAdams is known for her ability to move effortlessly between drama and comedy. She continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood cinema.

Alanis Morissette was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and became a global superstar with her breakthrough album "Jagged Little Pill" (1995). The record's raw emotional style redefined 1990s alternative rock and earned her multiple Grammy Awards. She has released numerous albums exploring rock, pop, and introspective songwriting. Morissette is also an advocate for mental health and creative wellness.

Sandra Oh was born in Nepean, Ontario, and built her early career in Canadian film and television. She became internationally famous for her long‑running role on "Grey's Anatomy" from 2005 to 2014, and later starred in the acclaimed series "Killing Eve" (2018-22). Oh has earned numerous awards, including Golden Globes and SAG Awards.

Anna Paquin was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and became the second‑youngest Oscar winner in history for "The Piano" (1993) at age 11. She later starred in the first three "X‑Men" films (2000, 2003, 2006) and led the HBO series "True Blood" (2008-14). Paquin has worked across both independent and major studio projects.

Christopher Plummer was born in Toronto, Ontario, and enjoyed one of the longest and most respected acting careers in film and theatre. Best known for "The Sound of Music" (1965), he also earned an Academy Award late in life for "Beginners" (2011). Plummer's career spanned over six decades across stage, film, and television. He was widely regarded as one of Canada's finest classical actors.

Ryan Reynolds was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and began acting in Canadian television before transitioning to Hollywood roles. He achieved major success with films like "The Proposal" (2009), "Deadpool" (2016), and "Free Guy" (2021. Beyond acting, Reynolds is known for his entrepreneurial ventures, including Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile. His blend of comedy and action has made him a global star.

Martin Short was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and became known through "SCTV" (1976-81) and "Saturday Night Live" (cast member 1984-85). He built a celebrated career in comedy with characters like Ed Grimley and roles in films such as "Three Amigos" (1986). Short also works extensively in stage musicals and voice acting. He remains an enduring comedic presence across film, TV, and live performance.