Renowned Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent has passed away at the age of 92. He died peacefully in his sleep in the presence of his family on Saturday. The news was confirmed by his son-in-law, Peter Keleghan.
Pinsent appeared in more than 150 films and television shows in his seven-decade-long career. He got international recognition with the 2006 film Away From Her, which also starred Julie Christie. Read on to know more about the actor’s life and career.
Actor Gordon Pinsent Passes Away at 92
Peter Keleghan released a statement to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on behalf of Gordon’s family to announce his death: “Gordon Pinsent’s daughters Leah and Beverly, and his son Barry, would like to announce the passing of their father peacefully in sleep today with his family at his side.”
“Gordon passionately loved this country and its people, purpose, and culture to his last breath,” the statement read further. The actor is survived by his three children: Leah, Barry, and Beverly. His wife, actress Charmion King, passed away in 2007 after a long battle with emphysema.
Pinsent began acting at the age of 17 and performed supporting roles in theatre productions of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at the Stratford Festival in 1962. He later returned to the festival and played lead roles in the 1970s.
Pinsent Had a Seven-Decade-Long Career
The actor started his television career in 1963 with the soap opera Scarlett Hill and made his film debut in 1964’s Lydia. He went on to star in the shows Due South, The Grand Seduction, The Red Green Show, Street Legal, Quentin Durgens, M.P., and The Forest Rangers.
He also acted in the American show It Takes a Thief and films Silence of the North and Thomas Crown Affair. He also voiced Babar the elephant in Babar and the Adventures of Badou and got wide appreciation. In 2006, he played the role of a husband losing his wife to Alzheimer’s disease in Sarah Polley’s Away from Her and received critical acclaim.
Over the years, he won several awards, including Canadian Screen Award, ACTRA Award, Gemini Award, and Canadian Film Award. The actor was also made a companion of the Order of Canada and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Tributes Pour in for the Actor
Following the news of Pinsent’s demise, a number of celebrities took to social media to pay their tributes. Comedian Rick Mercer tweeted, “Gordon Pinsent was our North Star. A true renaissance man. Actor, writer, director, painter and one-time dance instructor. Gordon beat the path and made it possible for all that followed.”
Mark Critch wrote, “My pal Gordon Pinsent passed. I saw him a few weeks ago, his twinkle as bright as ever. I looked up to him as the Rowdyman but loved him as Porky Pinsent from Grand Falls. He cut the path the rest of us travelled. A household name based on Canadian work. The best there ever was.”
Actor Kim Coates also expressed his grief and wrote, “We lost a legend yesterday. Gordon Pinsent. I’ll never forget our times together. True red blooded proud Canadian. He was adored the world over. Loved hearing tales from my pal @kbruce237. They adored each other. gonna miss you pal. What a life you had Gordon.”
Our condolences to Gordon Pinsent’s family and friends. May his soul rest in peace!
