Canada's Walk of Fame is growing ever longer. With the induction of 10 new names, the walk has reached its 200th person.
Created in 1998, it started as a small gathering to unveil an engraved star on the sidewalks of Toronto’s Entertainment District and has since expanded to a year-long national series of programs and celebrations that culminate in a national broadcast. Inductees are recognized not only for their distinctive accomplishments and successes but for their philanthropy, advocacy, and contributions toward the greater good.
“The 2021 Inductees and Honourees are an extraordinary group of Canadians, each with a heart of gold. Although their inspiring journeys are unique, they share in the Canadian spirit of resiliency, courage, and giving back. More than ever, especially after the global events of this past year, we need to uplift one another and celebrate Canadian excellence and achievements that continue to make a positive impact," said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada's Walk of Fame.
Here are a few of the names you might recognize:
Keanu Reeves (Arts and Entertainment) – Global Superstar and Hollywood’s Nice Guy.
Keanu Reeves is an iconic actor, producer, and director who has entertained audiences worldwide for more than three decades. Reeves was raised in Toronto and performed in various local theatre productions and television before becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men, fronting blockbuster franchises like The Matrix and John Wick.
Graham Greene (Arts and Entertainment) – One of Canada’s Most Beloved and Iconic Actors.
Born on the Oneida Six Nations Reserve outside Brantford, ON, Graham Greene is an Academy Award nominee who attributes his success to theatre training at Native Earth Performing Arts and the Stratford Festival. He has appeared in more than 100 productions, including Dances with Wolves, The Green Mile, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Transamerica, and The Twilight Saga: New Moon.
Damian Warner (Sports and Athletics) – The Greatest Athlete on Earth.
Fresh from his dominating performance at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and winning Canada’s first gold medal in the decathlon, Damian Warner has taken his place as the greatest athlete on the world stage. He shattered numerous records at the Games this summer and is only the fourth athlete to surpass 9,000 points in the all-time history of the decathlon – a triumphant culmination to a decade-long career in sport.
Bret “The Hitman” Hart (Sports and Athletics) – The Courage and Grit of a Champion.
A true champion and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Bret Hart put Canada on the map with his gold standard in wrestling. A 32-time champion, WWE Hall of Famer, and voted one of the top 50 Canadians of all time, his strength and resiliency inside the wrestling ring are just as impressive outside the ring. Hart overcame several health scares, including a stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side and a diagnosis of prostate cancer, both of which he has largely recovered.
Related Local News: The MacLaren Art Centre is once again inviting you back inside!
For a full list of inductees and honourees, click here.
You can also tune into the full broadcast Annual Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Gala on December 4.
Featured image: Canada's Walk of Fame via canadaswalkoffame.com
