Artist of the Day


Don McKeller

Within the inner ciricles of the Canadian film scene (all two regions of it) Don McKellar is probably the only real "Canadian" celebrity, just under Rick Mercer and Paul Gross. Not to be confused with Ian McKellan, I have to say that this is one of the best Canadian actors we have, and to tell the truth that isn't saying much considering the crop of Canadian celebrities consist more of MM VJs, newscasters, Red Cgreen, Tom Green and most importantly, politicians.

The thing is you may already have seen this guy before, if you take a look at his filmography. Most notably was eXistenZ, the oft Canadian produciton Art of Woo and the most notably by who actually seen it, waydowntown. For me the production that I actually remember him from are Twitch City, waydowntown and Elimination Dance a clever little short that I hope to send to my friends someday.

But basically there isn't nothing incredibly great about this person save for the fact that he's almost like a Canadian Christopher Walken...well not even that. He can play the average schmoe, but often when you look at this guy with a permanent stubble, oft fuzzball hair and long face, you can't but help think that this person is a shoeing for psychotic or depressed typecasting. And to some degree that is the magic in who Don McKellar is, this person who is basically one of our only genuine celebrities that hasn't been pawned off as a "CBC" only personality nor some stupid little Canadian Connection quiz question for people starving to find Canadian identity. He's our own diamond in the ruff and if he were to have his own show, I would much rather hear him on CBC Radio than on CBC TV....no...not really. TV it is.

But hey, if you do what he does below...

Then you might be remotely famous in inner circles.