Former RTA guest star Frances Bay will be receiving a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto. She won a Gemini for her role as Aunt Eliza Ward’s Cousin Winnifred in the episode “After the Ball Is Over”. However, she may be better-known as “The Marble Rye Lady” on Seinfeld; and is known as “the Hollywood Grandma”.
Last fall, members of her family and friends in her home province of Manitoba put out an online petition to convince Canada’s Walk of Fame to give her a star.
Also receiving a star are the comedy troupe Kids in the Hall; its members are Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCullough, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson, and Dave Foley (Lewis Allen in the second Anne miniseries).
The Walk of Fame ceremony will take place in Toronto this September. Past inductees with an RTA connection are Shirley Douglas (guest starred in “High Society”; inducted in 2004) and Gordon Pinsent (guest starred in “Someone To Believe In”; inducted in 2007).
CBC Arts: Walk of Fame inductees
CBC Manitoba: “Hollywood Grandma” deserves star on Walk of Fame
Published in ACTRA Strike,
Anne Prequel,
AvCon 2007,
Away from Her,
David Fox,
Gemini Awards,
General Actor News,
General Anne News,
General Avonlea News,
Genie Awards,
Jonathan Crombie,
LM Montgomery,
Lally Cadeau,
Megan Follows,
Molly Atkinson,
Sarah Polley,
Special Coverage,
Year in Review and
Zach Bennett .
More than in years past, 2007 was a huge year for not only Anne and RTA alumni, it was also a big year for fans as well, particularly for fans of Anne.
Continue reading ‘2007 in review’
Actor Keith Knight, who portrayed Reverend Fitzsimmons in RTA’s season four episode “Evelyn”, has died at the age of 51 from brain cancer in Toronto.
The Sault Ste. Marie native’s most noted role was in the 1979 comedy Meatballs, in which he portrayed Larry Finklestein, a counselor-in-training. At the time of its release, it was the highest-grossing Canadian film ever (a title that would later be bestowed upon Porky’s and Bon Cop, Bad Cop).
He also performed in local theatre productions in the 1970s and at the Shaw Festival during the 1980s. Other film credits included My Bloody Valentine, Bar Life, Looking for Angelina (filmed in his hometown), Gas (with Kiefer Sutherland and Howie Mandel), and Class of 1984. On television, he guest starred on various television series such as Street Legal, Traders, and Queer as Folk. He also lent his voice to several animated series, like Franklin and — more recently — Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends and appeared in over 160 commercials.
He is survived by wife Jennifer McCullough.
CBC Arts
IMDb Entry
Hat-tip to Kitty for this…
I was speaking to James O’Regan (Constable Jeffries) about an actor friend of his, Keith Knight (Rev. Fitzsimmons) whom we had invited to attend AvCon07.
Keith played Reverend Fitzsimmons in the episode “Evelyn” - where Alec’s friend is killed in a boating accident and Alec assumes responsibility for his friends wife and child - much to the consternation of his wife Janet.
Keith Knight was unable to attend AvCon07 because of serious health reasons. Several years ago Kay Tremblay* was also unable to attend AvCon because of health reasons and the committee and AvCon attendees asked if they could send cards or e-mails to cheer her. Since Keith Knight is also part of the “Avonlea Family”, we thought it would be nice if we sent him e-mails and cards to let him know he is remembered and to wish him a successful recovery.
Cards may be snail-mailed to the following address:
Keith Knight
c/o Fountainhead Talent
131 Davenport Road
Toronto, ON, Canada
M5R 1H8
You may also send well-wishes via email to info(at)fountainheadtalent.com
IMDb: Keith Knight
* Kay Tremblay (Aunt Eliza) was invited to AvCon 2005, which was held in late July of that year. She passed away the following month at the age of 91.
ACTRA and the CFTPA have reached yet another new deal–one that should make the Hollywood studioheads happier.
This new deal provides a way out of the new terms laid out for payment for new media. After New Year’s Day, 2009, the actors and producers will revisit and renegotiate on this issue.
Post-strike, Toronto has lost up to $400 million in production revenue. It may take a while for things to bounce back. Those represening both sides are just happy that the strike is over, and that everyone can return to work.
Toronto Star/Canadian Press
Playback Daily
