Mary Pickford started it.
Born in Toronto, “America’s Sweetheart” was a Canadian. And as her success – and those who’ve followed her to this side of the border – proved, Canadians take to the Hollywood game like a puck on ice.
Indeed, every generation brings a new crop. Just ask the Old Guard of Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves, James Cameron and that quintessential California girl Pam Anderson.
So with Ontarian Michael Cera’s “Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World” hitting the big screen on Friday, it’s time to check out … the New Guard.
Born in Toronto, “America’s Sweetheart” was a Canadian. And as her success – and those who’ve followed her to this side of the border – proved, Canadians take to the Hollywood game like a puck on ice.
Indeed, every generation brings a new crop. Just ask the Old Guard of Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves, James Cameron and that quintessential California girl Pam Anderson.
So with Ontarian Michael Cera’s “Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World” hitting the big screen on Friday, it’s time to check out … the New Guard.
1. SETH ROGEN
THIS GENERATION'S …: Jim Carrey. A natural-born clown with dramatic chops.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Sure, he may seem full of too many pothead jokes, but ever since this ”Freaks & Geeks” alum lit up the big screen in “The 40-Year Old Virgin," Rogen, 28, along with writing partner and fellow Vancouverite Evan Goldberg, has been on a roll .. and "Funny People" echoed Carrey's propensity for dark humor.
UP NEXT: Among many on his upcoming slate, the 3D Michel Gondry-directed "Green Hornet” Now put that in your pipe and smoke it!
THIS GENERATION'S …: Jim Carrey. A natural-born clown with dramatic chops.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Sure, he may seem full of too many pothead jokes, but ever since this ”Freaks & Geeks” alum lit up the big screen in “The 40-Year Old Virgin," Rogen, 28, along with writing partner and fellow Vancouverite Evan Goldberg, has been on a roll .. and "Funny People" echoed Carrey's propensity for dark humor.
UP NEXT: Among many on his upcoming slate, the 3D Michel Gondry-directed "Green Hornet” Now put that in your pipe and smoke it!
2. ELLEN PAGE
THIS GENERATION'S …: Sarah Polley.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: “Juno,” “Smart People," “Whip It” and “Inception” -- they might vary in critical or commercial success, but almost no one ever finds the Halifax-born and Oscar nominated actress’ performances less than captivating.
UP NEXT: The lead in “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke’s medical drama “Freeheld,” along with the hero comedy “Super” and HBO’s “Tilda.”
THIS GENERATION'S …: Sarah Polley.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: “Juno,” “Smart People," “Whip It” and “Inception” -- they might vary in critical or commercial success, but almost no one ever finds the Halifax-born and Oscar nominated actress’ performances less than captivating.
UP NEXT: The lead in “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke’s medical drama “Freeheld,” along with the hero comedy “Super” and HBO’s “Tilda.”
3. JASON REITMAN
THIS GENERATION'S …: Well, Ivan Reitman. Or Norman Jewison.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Montreal-born Reitman, 32, has only made three feature films but already received two Academy Award noms for best director (“Juno,” “Up in the Air").
UP NEXT: Along with “Juno” writer Diablo Cody, he looks set to start work on “Young Adult” with Charlize Theron. Reitman will be the only one among those three principals who hasn’t won an Oscar … yet.
THIS GENERATION'S …: Well, Ivan Reitman. Or Norman Jewison.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Montreal-born Reitman, 32, has only made three feature films but already received two Academy Award noms for best director (“Juno,” “Up in the Air").
UP NEXT: Along with “Juno” writer Diablo Cody, he looks set to start work on “Young Adult” with Charlize Theron. Reitman will be the only one among those three principals who hasn’t won an Oscar … yet.
4. DRAKE
THIS GENERATION'S …: Bryan Adams. He’s hip-hop not rock, but he’s already cutting it like a mainstream knife.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: It’s easy to dismiss the hip-hop efforts of anyone who spent several seasons on “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” but the 23-year old Aubrey Drake Graham’s debut album – on Lil Wayne’s label -- hit number #1 on Billboard’s Top 100 out of the gate.
UP NEXT: He’s said he wants to play Barack Obama, and he’s been reading tons of scripts. But before he gets in front of the camera he has a fall arena tour coming up.
THIS GENERATION'S …: Bryan Adams. He’s hip-hop not rock, but he’s already cutting it like a mainstream knife.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: It’s easy to dismiss the hip-hop efforts of anyone who spent several seasons on “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” but the 23-year old Aubrey Drake Graham’s debut album – on Lil Wayne’s label -- hit number #1 on Billboard’s Top 100 out of the gate.
UP NEXT: He’s said he wants to play Barack Obama, and he’s been reading tons of scripts. But before he gets in front of the camera he has a fall arena tour coming up.
5. SHENAE GRIMES
THIS GENERATION'S …: Kim Cattrall mixed with Margot Kidder -- minus Kidder’s nutty period.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Another “Degrassi” alum, the sexy and smart Grimes, 20, moved seamlessly into the snake pit of Beverly Hills in The CW's "90210" revamp as Annie Wilson, the Brenda Walsh of the 21st century.
UP NEXT: After a summer spent lighting up Hollywood parties on the red carpet, Grimes has another season of “90210” hitting the small screen on Sept. 13.
THIS GENERATION'S …: Kim Cattrall mixed with Margot Kidder -- minus Kidder’s nutty period.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Another “Degrassi” alum, the sexy and smart Grimes, 20, moved seamlessly into the snake pit of Beverly Hills in The CW's "90210" revamp as Annie Wilson, the Brenda Walsh of the 21st century.
UP NEXT: After a summer spent lighting up Hollywood parties on the red carpet, Grimes has another season of “90210” hitting the small screen on Sept. 13.
6. RYAN REYNOLDS
THIS GENERATION'S …: Keanu Reeves. For his leading man looks and mix of romcom and blockbusters -– and he’s even got some personality.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: In 2009’s “The Proposal,” he was the American who married the Canadian-playing Sandra Bullock, but in real life Scarlett Johansson’s Vancouver-born hubby is all Canuck. And if Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Green Lantern” lights up the box office, he could become King of the L.A. Canadians.
UP NEXT: Say it after me: “In brightest day, in blackest night, no superhero franchise shall escape my box office sight … ”
THIS GENERATION'S …: Keanu Reeves. For his leading man looks and mix of romcom and blockbusters -– and he’s even got some personality.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: In 2009’s “The Proposal,” he was the American who married the Canadian-playing Sandra Bullock, but in real life Scarlett Johansson’s Vancouver-born hubby is all Canuck. And if Warner Bros.’ upcoming “Green Lantern” lights up the box office, he could become King of the L.A. Canadians.
UP NEXT: Say it after me: “In brightest day, in blackest night, no superhero franchise shall escape my box office sight … ”
7. JUSTIN BIEBER
THIS GENERATION'S …: Celine Dion.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Love him, hate him or just want to ruffle his hair endlessly, the 16-year-old pint-sized pop star made musical history in being the first ever to have seven tunes from his debut chart on the Billboard Top 100. If he could only get on the "Avatar 2" soundtrack ...
UP NEXT: A 3D biopic, an autobiography … and, once he turns 18, being able to drink in Canada.
THIS GENERATION'S …: Celine Dion.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: Love him, hate him or just want to ruffle his hair endlessly, the 16-year-old pint-sized pop star made musical history in being the first ever to have seven tunes from his debut chart on the Billboard Top 100. If he could only get on the "Avatar 2" soundtrack ...
UP NEXT: A 3D biopic, an autobiography … and, once he turns 18, being able to drink in Canada.
8. ANNA PAQUIN
THIS GENERATION'S …: Kiefer Sutherland. This movie star reinvented herself on TV and, a big hit and a Golden Globe win later, has become bigger than ever.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: “X-Men’s” Rogue may have grown up in New Zealand, but having been born in Winnipeg, the “True Blood” star is all Canuck. After all, the youngest Oscar winner ever -- for “The Piano” in 1994, at 11 years old -- didn’t move until she was four, and we all know, those are the formative years.
UP NEXT: The comedy “The Romantics” with Elijah Wood and Katie Holmes, due out on Sept. 10.
THIS GENERATION'S …: Kiefer Sutherland. This movie star reinvented herself on TV and, a big hit and a Golden Globe win later, has become bigger than ever.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: “X-Men’s” Rogue may have grown up in New Zealand, but having been born in Winnipeg, the “True Blood” star is all Canuck. After all, the youngest Oscar winner ever -- for “The Piano” in 1994, at 11 years old -- didn’t move until she was four, and we all know, those are the formative years.
UP NEXT: The comedy “The Romantics” with Elijah Wood and Katie Holmes, due out on Sept. 10.
9. SAMANTHA BEE/JASON JONES
THIS GENERATION'S …: Peter Jennings, if the much missed ABC news anchor was a married couple. And was willing to show off his sense of humor.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: ABC used to be called “Another Bloody Canadian” back when suave Toronto-born Jennings was the frontman. Today, you could just as truthfully call "The Daily Show" the “Canadian consulate,” thanks to the double barbed-wit threat of the married correspondents.
UP NEXT: Bee’s book “I Know What I Am, But What Are You” is a bestseller, so expect more tomes. Let’s give these two their own show and they could, as Canada does the U.S. in size, dwarf the Colbert Nation.
THIS GENERATION'S …: Peter Jennings, if the much missed ABC news anchor was a married couple. And was willing to show off his sense of humor.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: ABC used to be called “Another Bloody Canadian” back when suave Toronto-born Jennings was the frontman. Today, you could just as truthfully call "The Daily Show" the “Canadian consulate,” thanks to the double barbed-wit threat of the married correspondents.
UP NEXT: Bee’s book “I Know What I Am, But What Are You” is a bestseller, so expect more tomes. Let’s give these two their own show and they could, as Canada does the U.S. in size, dwarf the Colbert Nation.
10. MICHAEL CERA
THIS GENERATION'S …: Michael J. Fox. His “Back to the Future” is just a matter of time.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: How confident is Cera in his Canadianess and his own talent? So confident that he walked out on stage at Comic-Con this year dressed as Captain America. Then again, if you’d shined in everything from “Arrested Development” to “Juno,” you might have those kind of cojones, too.
UP NEXT: The rumored lead in a “Gilligan’s Island” movie. And who isn’t waiting for “Arrested” to hit the big screen? Meantime, watch “Scott Pilgrim” get nominated for everything.
THIS GENERATION'S …: Michael J. Fox. His “Back to the Future” is just a matter of time.
THE MAPLE LEAF MAGIC: How confident is Cera in his Canadianess and his own talent? So confident that he walked out on stage at Comic-Con this year dressed as Captain America. Then again, if you’d shined in everything from “Arrested Development” to “Juno,” you might have those kind of cojones, too.
UP NEXT: The rumored lead in a “Gilligan’s Island” movie. And who isn’t waiting for “Arrested” to hit the big screen? Meantime, watch “Scott Pilgrim” get nominated for everything.
