Don McKellar is an actor, screenwriter, and director who stands as one of Canada’s most celebrated stars. This multi-talented artist has effortlessly made his mark in film, television, and theatre. Learn more about the life and career of this world-renowned talent on torontoski.info.
A Quick Start in the Film Industry
Don McKellar was born on August 17, 1963, in Toronto. He completed his secondary education at Toronto Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, where his passion for acting blossomed through participation in school plays.
After high school, McKellar worked as a clown, entertaining at children’s birthday parties. He later enrolled at the University of Toronto to study theatre. However, fate had other plans, and McKellar left university—a decision he never regretted.
His professional journey in show business began in 1989 when, alongside Daniel and Daniel Brooks, McKellar co-founded the avant-garde theatre collective The Augusta Company, which produced a series of experimental plays.
McKellar’s charm and talent left a lasting impression on industry insiders, including Hollywood directors. In 1989, filmmaker Bruce McDonald cast him in the movie Roadkill. Despite portraying a comedic serial killer, McKellar’s performance earned him a Genie Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
McDonald won the award for Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and McKellar’s outstanding performance garnered the award for Best Actor.
In 1991, McKellar collaborated with McDonald again for the film Highway 61, a quirky story about drug smuggling and a frozen corpse. The movie further cemented McKellar’s rising career.
From Actor to Director
Following these successful films, McKellar enrolled at the Canadian Film Centre in late 1991 to study directing. His graduation project was a short film titled Blue (1992), which revolved around filmmaker David Cronenberg falling victim to his own sexual fantasies.
In 1993, McKellar began working with François Girard, co-writing the script for Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould, a biographical film about Canadian musician Glenn Gould. The project won TIFF’s award for Best Canadian Feature Film and received four additional accolades.
In 1994, McKellar delivered another standout performance in Atom Egoyan’s film Exotica, portraying Thomas, a pet shop owner with a childlike curiosity who grapples with his unconventional sexuality.
Later that year, McKellar reunited with Bruce McDonald to adapt W.P. Kinsella’s indigenous drama Dance Me Outside. Over the years, McKellar continued to act, write screenplays, and achieve remarkable success in the film industry.
Major Achievements
McKellar’s most notable contribution to cinema was his work as writer, director, and lead actor in Last Night (1998). This film won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival, further showcasing McKellar’s versatility and dedication to his craft.
Despite his international success, McKellar remained deeply rooted in his Canadian heritage. He consistently turned down offers to relocate to Hollywood, prioritizing the development of Canadian cinema instead.
In 2016, McKellar was named a Member of the Order of Canada for his significant contributions to Canadian culture as an actor and filmmaker.