From a media release:
Peter Keleghan to Receive ACTRA Toronto’s Award of Excellence
Canadian actor Peter Keleghan will walk away with ACTRA Toronto’s highest honour in 2009. ACTRA’s Award of Excellence recognizes both an outstanding body of work by a performer and that performer’s efforts on behalf of the acting community and Canadian culture. Previous winners include Sarah Polley, Paul Gross, Gordon Pinsent, Sonja Smits, Wendy Crewson and Eric Peterson.
“Whether lobbying on Parliament Hill, or negotiating union contracts at the bargaining table, one of the key reasons that ACTRA Toronto is such a powerful and effective advocate for performers is the exemplary involvement and union activism of our stars. This year’s Award of Excellence recipient, Peter Keleghan, is a perfect example,” said ACTRA Toronto President Karl Pruner. “Peter has repeatedly found time in a busy career to stand up for his fellow performers. In January of this year ACTRA members will celebrate the launch of Creative Arts Savings & Credit Union, a financial institution created for freelance film and television professionals. The performer who conceived of and tirelessly advocated for this project? Peter Keleghan.”
Peter Keleghan has been called “the funniest man in television.” A true Canadian star, he has more than 70 film and television credits to his name, twelve Gemini award nominations and four Gemini awards. He is a familiar face for his work on The Newsroom, Made in Canada, The Red Green Show, Billable Hours, Murdoch Mysteries and Slings and Arrows. With three feature films due for release in 2008, Eating Buccaneers, The Bend and Cooper’s Camera, he has also just finished shooting the pilot Eighteen to Life for the CBC.
Keleghan’s cultural activism includes lobbying Ottawa to shore up the weak CRTC regulations that have led to decreased production of Canadian drama. He has also been an important spokesperson for culture during three federal elections, speaking out on behalf of ACTRA against government censorship and continued cuts to the arts.
The annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto will celebrate outstanding performances by ACTRA on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the CARLU. Three juried awards for outstanding performances by male, female and voice talents will also be presented in addition to the Award of Excellence. This year’s awards will be hosted by Teresa Pavlinek (The Jane Show) with musical performances by Stephanie Martin.
