Claude Falls Wright

Don McKellar, born August 17, 1963, is a Canadian actor, writer, playwright, and filmmaker. He emerged from Toronto as part of the Toronto New Wave movement. McKellar is recognized for directing and writing the film "Last Night," which received the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. His screenwriting credits include "Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould," "The Red Violin," "Blindness," and "No Other Choice." He often acts in his own productions and has appeared in films by directors like Atom Egoyan and David Cronenberg. McKellar has also had a significant presence on Canadian television, with roles in series such as "Twitch City," "Odd Job Jack," and "Slings & Arrows." Additionally, he wrote the book for the musical "The Drowsy Chaperone," which won a Tony Award. He is an eight-time nominee and two-time Genie Award winner.

McKellar's early career included co-founding Toronto's Augusta Company. His first screen appearance was in Bruce McDonald's "Roadkill" (1989), for which he also wrote the screenplay, earning Genie Award nominations. He collaborated with McDonald again on "Highway 61" (1991), writing and starring. McKellar's acting work includes roles in Atom Egoyan's "Exotica" and David Cronenberg's "eXistenZ." He authored screenplays for François Girard's "Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould" and "The Red Violin." As a filmmaker, his directorial debut "Last Night" (1998) achieved critical acclaim. He also co-created the television sitcom "Michael, Tuesdays and Thursdays."

In addition to his film and television work, McKellar has a notable theatre background. He co-wrote the book for the Tony Award-winning musical "The Drowsy Chaperone." He appeared in all three seasons of the television series "Slings & Arrows." In 2016, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian culture. McKellar was married to actress Tracy Wright, who passed away in 2010.

Don McKellar was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Marjorie Kay (Stirrett), a teacher, and John Duncan McKellar, a corporate lawyer. He completed his early education at Glenview Senior Public School and Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. Following this, he pursued higher education, studying English at Victoria College, part of the University of Toronto.

McKellar is a prominent figure in Canadian cinema, known for his multifaceted contributions as an actor, writer, and director. He was a founding member of Toronto's Augusta Company. His early screenwriting and acting work, notably in Bruce McDonald's "Roadkill" and "Highway 61," garnered significant attention and Genie Award nominations. He has penned screenplays for acclaimed films such as François Girard's "Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould" and "The Red Violin," as well as "Blindness." McKellar's directorial debut, "Last Night," achieved international recognition with an award at the Cannes Film Festival. He has also appeared in films by directors Atom Egoyan and David Cronenberg, and his work on the television series "Twitch City" and "Slings & Arrows" has been well-received.

Beyond his film work, Don McKellar has made significant contributions to theatre and television. He is recognized for his role as a writer for the Tony Award-winning musical "The Drowsy Chaperone." On television, he starred in and contributed to series like "Twitch City," "Odd Job Jack," and "Slings & Arrows," the latter of which he appeared in for all three seasons. He also co-created the Canadian television sitcom "Michael, Tuesdays and Thursdays." His extensive work across these mediums has led to multiple award nominations and wins, including Genie Awards and a Tony Award.