Donald Sutherland

"In 1977, I had the privilege of hosting the hospitality suite at the TIFF. Among the many famous faces that graced the event, I had the pleasure of meeting Donald Sutherland. Although we had crossed paths at the club 22 in the Windsor Arms, we had never really had a chance to converse. That all changed when he arrived at the hospitality suite accompanied by the legendary Peter O'Toole. In need of a private space, they approached me and I quickly showed them to one of the bedrooms, fully stocked with a bar. They were grateful and thanked me profusely.

With almost 200 credits to his name and 6ft 3in to his frame, the late Donald Sutherland cast a literal and figurative shadow over his industry for almost 50 years.

Born in July 1935 in Saint John, New Brunswick, he was a radio news reporter in his youth and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in engineering.

But it was not long before the acting bug took hold, prompting him to leave his native Canada and travel to London in 1957.

After an unrewarding stint studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Lamda), he spent 18 months at Perth Repertory Theatre in Scotland.

Comments

Gordon Tootoosis

In the heart of Toronto, I ran an exclusive after-hours bar, a hidden gem known for its unique clientele and enigmatic charm. Gaining entry to this clandestine establishment wasn't easy; you either had to be a celebrity, most notably a musician, or have the privilege of knowing me personally. This unwritten rule provided a layer of secrecy that kept the authorities at bay for a long time. It was a sanctuary for those who craved anonymity and the freedom to unwind without the scrutiny of the public eye. One memorable evening, as I was tending to the door, a tall man donning braids and a large white cowboy hat appeared. He introduced himself in a confident yet humble manner. "Gary, you don't know me. I am Gordon Tootoosis," he said. "I am an actor, and a good actor too, I can play any tribe." His earnest declaration and imposing presence were enough for me to grant him entry. Gordon's reputation preceded him, particularly for his role in the movie Alien Th...

FARLEY MOWATT

I met Farley in the 60's we had the same Hair Stylist (Chris Beacom) and we had a few drinks at the Pilot and talked of Newfoundland. i remember one of his lines. I would like to go back to Newfoundland, maybe when Joey dies.

Elway Yost

My sister Gaille was Elway Yost's secretary for a few years at TV Ontario. "I had the incredible opportunity to meet and engage in conversation with the talented Elwy on multiple occasions. On two separate occasions, I was even asked to be a stand-by guest for his show, Magic Shadows. Though I never had the chance to step in, just being considered by Elwy himself was an honor I will never forget. As a devoted fan of Magic Shadows from the very start, these moments were truly unforgettable.

Gary'sGlimpses

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