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Eric Peterson

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Eric Peterson
Born (1946-10-02) October 2, 1946 (age 78)
NationalityCanadian
OccupationActor
Years active1971 – present
SpouseAnnie Kidder
Children2
AwardsBest Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series
2007 Corner Gas (shared)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
1992 Street Legal
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Dramatic Role
1989 Street Legal
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Dramatic Role
1987 Street Legal
2008 ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence For a significant body of work and union activism
2013 Governor General's Performing Arts Award

Eric Neal Peterson CM (born October 2, 1946)[1] is a Canadian stage, television, and film actor, known for his roles in three major Canadian television series – Street Legal (1987–1994), Corner Gas (live-action 2004–2009 and film 2014, animated 2018–2021), and This is Wonderland (2004–2006).[2]

Career

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Stage

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In 1971, Peterson began his acting career when he helped found the collective theatre company Tamahnous Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia.[3] There he received major roles in versions of The Bacchae and Nijinsky, both directed by John Gray.[4]

In 1974, he moved to Toronto, Ontario, and joined Theatre Passe Muraille, a leading collective ensemble in Canada. He had main roles in productions of The Farm Show, The West Show, Them Donnelly’s, and 1837: The Farmers' Revolt. It was in this latter Rick Salutin production that he gained the greatest recognition, playing William Lyon Mackenzie and Lady Backwash.[4]

In 1976, Peterson began to collaborate with John Gray again, writing Billy Bishop Goes to War. The play, which premiered in Vancouver in 1978, went on tour internationally, garnering positive reviews on Broadway, where Peterson won the Clarence Derwent Award for most promising performer,[4] in London's West End. He was also nominated for Best Actor[4] at the Edinburgh Festival Mainstage. In 1998, Peterson acted in the play once more at the Canadian Stage in Toronto.[3]

Peterson's later stage appearances include Love and Anger at the Factory Theatre, Health (another collaboration with John Gray) at the Vancouver Playhouse and the lead role in Richard Ill at the Young People’s Theatre.[4] In October 2000, he performed in Hysteria at the Canadian Stage and in January 2001, he appeared in Clout at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.[3]

Between November 20 and December 13, 2008, Peterson starred as family patriarch and business man Helge Klingenfeldt in The Company Theatre's production of Festen at the Berkeley Street Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Between August 8 and 29, 2009, Peterson reprised the lead role in Billy Bishop Goes to War at the Soulpepper Theatre Company in Toronto. The company announced that the production was planned to return in 2010.[5] In the same year, he played Wiff Roach in Soulpepper's revival of David French's 1973 play Of the Fields, Lately.[6]

In the early to mid 2010s he played the role of Percy Schmeiser in the docu-drama play Seeds.[7][8][9]

Television

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Until Corner Gas, his most famous role on television was his award-winning role as Leon Robinovitch, a left-wing lawyer, on Street Legal.[3] His more notable television work includes 1998's Nothing Sacred (a movie for which he also co-produced and appeared in the stage version), Night Heat and This Is Wonderland. He also appeared as Hank Stewart in the Hippocratic Oath episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents for AHF Film Productions.[4]

In total, Peterson has appeared in fifty-two movie and television productions.[2] He also appeared in an infomercial for Amnesty International.[10] He also appeared in the Goosebumps episode "Shocker on Shock Street" as Mr. Wright

Peterson's most famous television role was that of Oscar Leroy on the Canadian television program Corner Gas. Peterson played the father of Brent Leroy (played by Brent Butt), who inherited the gas station after his father decided to retire. Much to the dismay of his son and his wife Emma (played by Janet Wright), he uses his new-found free time to unwittingly annoy his family and the town at large.[11] Following the end of that show's run, Peterson made a guest appearance on the show Dan for Mayor, a show starring his former Corner Gas co-star Fred Ewanuick.[12] As of 2014 he appears in The Best Laid Plans as Jerry Stockton.

Since January 2007, he has been performing in Half Life, a play by John Mighton, at the Canadian Stage.[11] According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, "his fresh, energetic, natural acting style has made him popular with Canadian audiences, and he continues to be a mainstay of Canadian television."[3]

Personal life

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Peterson was born in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is married to fellow actor and People for Education executive director Annie Kidder, who is the sister of Margot Kidder.[13] Peterson and his wife live in Toronto, Ontario, with their two daughters, although he still frequents his home province of Saskatchewan, where he owns a cottage on Katepwa Lake in the Qu'Appelle Valley near his hometown.

Awards

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Peterson has won numerous awards over his career. For his portrayal of Leon Robinovitch on Street Legal, he was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Continuing Dramatic Role six times: in 1987, 1989, and every year from 1992 through 1995. He tied for the win with Winston Rekert (for Adderly) the first year, and won the next two outright. He has also been nominated twice under Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series with Corner Gas at the Gemini Awards, and once for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series for Episode 4 of This is Wonderland for his portrayal of Judge Malone.[14] His fourth Gemini Award came in 2001 for Best Performance in a Pre-School Program.[11]

He has also been nominated four times for Canadian Comedy Awards for his role on Corner Gas. In 2004, he was nominated (alongside fellow Corner Gas actor Brent Butt) in the "Pretty Funny Television Performance – Male" category.[15] In 2007, he was nominated for "Best Male Performance."[16]

In 1996, Peterson received an honorary Doctor of Letters in drama from the University of Saskatchewan; the head of the drama department, Henry Woolf,[4] made the presentation. In 1999, the 20th anniversary edition of his play Billy Bishop Goes To War won him Dora Awards for Best Play, Best Direction, and Best Performance.[11] He had previously received a Dora Award nomination for his role in Escape from Happiness.[4] A 1982 CBC television adaptation garnered him an ACTRA award nomination.[3] In May 2013 he received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for his work for his lifetime contributions to Canadian theatre.[17] For his lifelong contributions to the arts he received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Regina (2019).[18]

Filmography

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Film

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
1974 The Visitor Michael Tyler
1983 The Kid Who Couldn't Miss Billy Bishop / Walter Bourne Writer
1984 The Painted Door Steven Short
1985 The King of Friday Night
1986 The Last Season Father Schula
1987 Docudrama: Fact and Fiction Billy Bishop / Walter Bourne Archive footage
1991 Thick as Thieves Judge Head
1994 Henry & Verlin Lovejoy
1995 Bach's Fight for Freedom Duke Wilhelm Ernst
1996 Spill Eric Black
1998 The Sleep Room Sal Rothenberg
Earth Mr. Rogers
Sleeping Dogs Lie Jack Doughty
2001 Franklin's Magic Christmas Grandfather Turtle Voice
Direct-to-video
2002 Fairytales and Pornography Kyle
2013 Cas & Dylan Jack
Canadian Famous Himself Documentary short
2014 Corner Gas: The Movie Oscar Leroy
2015 Canadian Star Himself Documentary short
Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven A.Y. Jackson Voice
2016 Where the Universe Sings A.Y. Jackson Voice
2018 His Master's Voice Hogarth
2020 You Will Still Be Here Tomorrow Frank Short film
The Death of Father Christmas Father Riley
2021 Defining Moments Edward
Sprite Fright Elder Sprite Voice
Short film
2022 Junior's Giant Junior Short film
2023 Jerry Rigged Gerald Slate Short film
TBA Cut the Painter Pre-production

Television

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
1982 Billy Bishop Goes to War Billy Bishop / Various TV film
1985 Tramp at the Door Lemieux TV film
The Park is Mine Mike TV film
Ewoks Teebo Voice
5 episodes
Star Wars: Droids Voice
6 episodes
1986 Mr. Belvedere Season 2, episode 18: "Valentines Day"
The Care Bears Family Noble Heart Horse Voice
13 episodes
1987–1994 Street Legal Leon Robinovitch 126 episodes
1988 Night Heat Matt Semple Season 4, episode 3: "Ain't No Cure for Love"
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Hank Stweart Season 3, episode 7: "Hippocritic Oath"
1994–1995 The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon The Leprechaun Season 2, episode 6: "Dudley and the Leprachaun"
Season 3 episode 3: "The Tree House"
1994 Scales of Justice Judge Episode "L'Affaire Belshaw"
1995 Deadly Love Elliott TV film
1996 Captive Heart: The James Mink Story Reverend Eli Brennemen TV film
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Season 4, episode 12: "Escape"
Dangerous Offender: The Marlene Moore Story Dr. Spring TV film
1997 PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal O.S.I.R. Psychologist Owen Wiliston Season 1, episode 18: "The Fog/House on Garden Street"
Goosebumps Mr. Wright Season 3, episode 1: "A Shocker on Shock Street"
La Femme Nikita Zoran Bruner Season 1, episode 21: "Verdict"
I'll Be Home for Christmas Dave TV movie
Traders Joe Fitzpatrick 3 episodes
1998 Lost Universe Jess Voice
English version
Nothing Sacred TV film
1999 Big Wolf on Campus Mr. Tock Season 1, episode 16: "Time and Again"
Win, Again! Cliff
2000 The Moving of Sophia Myles Lester TV film
2001 A Colder Kind of Death Howard Downey TV film
Canada: A People's History William Lyon MacKenzie King 3 episodes
A Wind at My Back Christmas Professor Coburn TV film
2002 The Many Trials of One Jane Doe Dr. Daniels TV film
The Stork Derby Max MacLeod TV film
Trudeau Tommy Douglas TV film
Street Time Monty Season 1, episode 12: "Betrayal"
Puppets Who Kill Mr. Quigley Season 1, episode 12: "Mr. Quigley, the Asshole Next Door"
2003 Sounder Vet TV film
Do or Die Henry Chesser TV film
Jasper, Texas Old Mr. King TV film
Tom Stone Professor Vernon Day Season 1, episode 12: "Now You See Him"
Doc Kyle's Dad Season 4, episode 8: "Swing Shift"
2004 Blue Murder Phillip Carlyle Season 4, episode 8: "Upstairs Downstairs"
2004–2006 This Is Wonderland Judge Malone 39 episodes
2004–2009 Corner Gas Oscar Leroy Main role; 107 episodes
2005 Untold Stories of the ER Reenactment Season 1, episode 8: "I Need Some Help Here"
Slings & Arrows Gavin Gilchrist 6 episodes
Trudeau II: Maverick in the Making Tommy Douglas TV film
Microkillers Captain Wilcox Episode: "Ebola"
2009–2014 The Ron James Show 'Black' Amos / Sir John A. MacDonald 4 episodes
2009 It's Been a Gas Himself / Oscar Leroy
2010 Republic of Doyle Eli Kent Season 1, episode 7: "The Woman Who Knew Too Little"
Murdoch Mysteries Hershey Dillard Season 3, episode 11: "Hangman"
Billy Bishop Goes to War Billy Bishop TV film
Writer
Eco Home Adventures Himself Documentary short
2011 Dan for Mayor Lenny-Man Season 2, episode 7: "The Art of Gambling"
Wingin' It Charles Dickens Season 2, episode 9: "Carl+Alt+Delete"
Wishing Well TV film
The Casting Room Himself Season 1, episode 1: "Eric Peterson"
2012 Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town Jeff Thorpe TV film
2013 Copper Reverend William Remington 2 episodes
Rookie Blue Archie Season 4, episode 8: "For Better, for Worse"
Cracked Ed Janoski Season 2, episode 5: "The Hold Out"
2014 The Best Laid Plans Jerry Stockton Miniseries
2015 Young Drunk Punk Rudolph Season 1, episode 9: "First Date Funeral"
The Plateaus Mick Donald Episode #1.7
2016 Valentine Ever After George TV film
2017 What Would Sal Do? Harold Episode "Vince's Uncle"
2017–2019 True and the Rainbow Kingdom Rainbow King Voice
13 episodes
2017–2018 Hard Rock Medical Dr. Kesler 7 episodes
2018–2021 Corner Gas Animated Oscar Leroy Voice
Main role; 48 episodes
2019 The Umbrella Academy Al 2 episodes
Sydney to the Max Don 2 episodes
American Gods The Caretaker 4 episodes
Dino Dana Grandpa 2 episodes
Street Legal Leon Robinovitch 2 episodes
Claws of the Red Dragon James McAvoy TV film
2020 True: Terrific Tales Rainbow King 2 episodes
True: Friendship Day TV movie
2021 Private Eyes Jasper Dazzle Season 4, episode 12: "Drop Dead Carny"
Chapelwaite Samuel Gallup 7 episodes
2022 Ruby and the Well Lou Aberlard Season 2, episode 9: "I Wish I Could Stop Hurting"
2023 SurrealEstate Andrew Tolliver Season 2, episode 3: "The Butler Didn't"
Twas the Text Before Christmas Carter TV film

Awards and nominations

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Eric Peterson awards and nominations
Wins 12
Nominations 29
Year Nominated work Award Category Result Ref.
1980 Billy Bishop Goes to War Clarence Derwent Awards (United States) Most Promising Actor Won
1986 The Double Bass Dora Mavor Moore Awards Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play (Large Theatre) Nominated
1987 Street Legal Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Won in a tie with Winston Rekert
1989 Street Legal Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Won
1992 Street Legal Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Won
1993 Street Legal Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Nominated
1994 Street Legal Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Nominated
1995 Street Legal Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Nominated
1998 The Designated Mourner Dora Mavor Moore Awards Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play (Large Theatre) Won
1999 Billy Bishop Goes to War Dora Mavor Moore Awards Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play (Large Theatre) Nominated
Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play Nominated with John Gray
2003 Boy Gets Girl Dora Mavor Moore Awards Dora Mavor Moore Award Outstanding Performance in a Feature Role in a Play or Musical Nominated
2004 Corner Gas Canadian Comedy Awards Best Performance by a Male - Television Nominated [19]
Corner Gas for episode "Face Off" Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series Nominated
This is Wonderland for episode "Episode Four" Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series Nominated
2005 Half Life Dora Mavor Moore Awards Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play (Large Theatre) Nominated
2006 Corner Gas Canadian Comedy Awards Best Performance by a Male - Television Nominated [20]
Corner Gas for episode "Merry Gasmass" Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series Nominated
2007 Corner Gas Canadian Comedy Awards Best Performance by a Male - Television Won [21]
Corner Gas for episode "Gopher It" Gemini Awards Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series Nominated
2008 Eric Peterson ACTRA Awards Award of Excellence Won
Corner Gas Canadian Comedy Awards Best Performance by a Male - Television Nominated [22]
2009 Eric Peterson Gemini Awards Earl Grey Award Won
2010 Billy Bishop Goes to War Dora Mavor Moore Awards Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role – Play (Large Theatre) Nominated
Hamlet Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role/Ensemble in a Play or Musical Nominated
2012 Billy Bishop Goes to War ACTRA Awards Outstanding Performance - Male Nominated [23][24]
2013 Himself Governor General's Performing Arts Award Won
2016 Static Canadian Film Fest Best Actor in a Short Won
2017 Vancouver Badass Film Festival Best Actor Nominated
2018 NSI Online Short Film Festival Brian Linehan Actors Award Won
2023 Junior's Giant Canadian Film Festival Best Performance in a Short Film Won [25]
ACTRA Award Outstanding Performance, Male or Gender Non-Conforming Won [26]


References

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  1. ^ "Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia".
  2. ^ a b Eric Peterson at IMDb
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Eric Peterson at The Canadian Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Eric Peterson's profile at the University of Saskatchewan archives". Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  5. ^ Soulpepper Theatre Company website page for 2009 production of Billy Bishop Goes to War, "Soulpepper - Billy Bishop Goes to War". Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  6. ^ J. Kelly Nestruck, "Worthy of revival but too sentimental". The Globe and Mail, July 3, 2009.
  7. ^ Schmidt, Joff (February 12, 2016). "Eric Peterson delivers stellar performance in Schmeiser docudrama Seeds". CBC. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "Theatre Review: Annabel Soutar's Seeds a brilliant docudrama". Ottawa Citizen. March 30, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  9. ^ Cushman, Robert (February 25, 2012). "Theatre Review: Seeds is an impressive retelling of Monsanto court case". National Post. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Eric Peterson's other work on the Internet Movie Database
  11. ^ a b c d "Biography at Corner Gas Online". Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  12. ^ 'Gas' star guests on 'Dan For Mayor'. Toronto Sun, July 14, 2011.
  13. ^ Biography for Annie Kidder on the Internet Movie Database
  14. ^ Eric Peterson's Awards at the Internet Movie Database
  15. ^ "Corner Gas Online". Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  16. ^ 'Corner Gas' nabs a leading six nominations for Canadian Comedy Awards[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Eric Peterson". Award Recipients. Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  18. ^ Communications, University. "Eric Peterson to receive the University of Regina's highest honour". Communications and Marketing. University of Regina. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  19. ^ "2004 Canadian Comedy Awards". Canadian Comedy Awards. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  20. ^ "2006 Canadian Comedy Awards". Canadian Comedy Awards. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  21. ^ "2006 Canadian Comedy Awards". Canadian Comedy Awards. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  22. ^ "2008 Canadian Comedy Awards". Canadian Comedy Awards. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  23. ^ "2012 Nominees Announced - 10th Anniversary ACTRA Awards in Toronto" (PDF). ACTRA Toronto. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  24. ^ "2012 ACTRA Awards Recap". Notable Life. March 1, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  25. ^ Kelly Townsend, "Babysitter wins Best Feature at 2023 Canadian Film Fest". Playback, April 3, 2023.
  26. ^ Ahmed Dirie, "CBC’s Sort Of cast among ACTRA Award recipients". Playback, April 27, 2023.
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