Gordon Pinsent Biography

GORDON PINSENT

Date of Birth: July 12, 1930

One of Canada's most beloved and well-known actors, Gordon Pinsent was born in Newfoundland. He began his career at the Manitoba Theatre Centre, which led to roles at the famed Stratford Festival. In 1962, he made his TV debut with a guest appearance on the US series Hallmark Hall of Fame, as well as becoming a regular on the Canadian series Scarlett Hill. The following year, he played a recurring role as Mountie Sergeant Scott on the beloved children's series The Forest Rangers. The show was a huge hit not only in Canada but around the world, and still plays in reruns today.

In 1966 he landed the lead in the Canadian series Quentin Durgens, M.P.. Just a short while later, Pinsent played Jamie McDonald in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), starring Steve McQueen. Guest appearances on popular U.S. series such as Dan August, Hogan's Heroes, Cannon and Marcus Welby followed.

Not content to stick to acting, Pinsent began writing screenplays and his debut effort, The Rowdyman (1972), in which he also starred, quickly became a Canadian classic, winning him a Canadian film award for Best Performance by a Lead Actor. He also wrote and starred in the CBC TV movie Win, Again! (1999), for which he received a Gemini for Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-series.

He also won an acting Gemini in 1996 for his humorous turn as RCMP officer Benton Fraser's dead father (also a Mountie) in the popular series Due South, as well as two other Geminis for Street Legal (1989) and Power Play (1998). In addition, he has received the John Drainie Award for Overall Contribution to Broadcasting in 1990 and the prestigious Earle Grey award in recognition of his body of work in 1997. On the feature film side, he has two Genies: for Klondike Fever (1980) and for John and the Missus (1987), which he also wrote.

Other TV credits include The Red Green Show, Wind at My Back, Road to Avonlea, Lonesome Dove and A Gift to Last. Pinsent was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1980 and a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1998.

In 2003, Pinsent received the ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence and in 2004, an Award of Excellence at the Banff Television Festival and was inducted in 2007 into Canada's Walk of Fame. His autobiography, By the Way, was published in 1992. He continues to work steadily both on TV and in film. Pinsent has two children from his first, short-lived marriage, and a daughter, actress Leah Pinsent, from his long-time marriage to actress Charmion King. He lives alone in Toronto since his wife's death in January 2007.

Filmography:

The River of My Dreams: A Portrait of Gordon Pinsent (2017)
Big News From Grand Rock (2015)
The Grand Seduction (2014)
Sex After Kids (2014)
Flight of the Butterflies (2012)
At Home, by Myself... with You (2009)
The Spine (2009)
Away from Her (2007)
Saint Ralph (2005)
The Good Shepherd (2004)
Snow on the Skeleton Key (2003)
Nothing (2004)
A Promise (2002)
The Shipping News (2001)
The Old Man and the Sea (1999) (voice)
Pippi Longstocking (1997) (voice)
Pale Saints (1997)
Blood Clan (1990)
Babar: The Movie (1989) (voice)
John and the Missus (1987)
Uncle T (1985)
Silence of the North (1981)
Klondike Fever (1980)
Drága kisfiam (1978)
Who Has Seen the Wind (1977)
Newman's Law (1974)
Only God Knows (1974)
The Heatwave Lasted Four Days (1974)
Ocean Heritage (1974) (voice)
Blacula (1972)
The Rowdyman (1972)
Chandler (1971)
Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
Don't Forget to Wipe the Blood Off (1966)
Lydia (1964)