In large film and series projects, it is not uncommon for actors and actresses to come from all over the world. Some performers in popular productions hail straight from Quebec. Here are nine actors and actresses of Quebec origin that might surprise you.
Some stars from the Belle Province have even had leading roles in various well-known shows and films thanks to their roles in films such as “Avengers: Infinity War” from 2018 and the series “The Handmaid’s Tale”, which has been broadcast since 2017.
Pom Klementieff
Pom Klementieff.
Pom Klementtief | IMDB
If you’re a fan of Marvel movies, you’ll surely recognize the character Mantis in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy, played by Quebec actress Pom Klementieff. She was born and lived in Quebec City with her Korean mother and her Franco-Russian father, who served as consul for the French government.*
She starred in six Marvel films, including Avengers: Infinity War and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
William Shatner
William Shatner.
William Shatner | IMDB
Actor William Shatner, who is 92 at the time of writing, rose to popularity in the 1980s for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in the Star Trek films. Since then, the Montreal-born comedian has worked on feature film projects and television series such as ‘Boston Legal’ from 2004-2008 and ‘Miss Congeniality’ in 2000.*
Emily Hampshire
Comedian Emily Hampshire was born and raised in the city Montréal. She acted in a number of English language Quebec films including The Trotsky in 2009, Good Neighbors in 2010 and Laurence Anyways in 2012 before making the leap to the American and Anglo-Canadian markets.
She also played the role of Stevie Budd on the popular series Schitt’s Creek from 2015 to 2020.
Rachelle Lefevre
Rachelle Lefevre.
Rachelle Lefevre | IMDB
Quebec actress Rachelle Lefevre was part of the cast of the films Twilight (2008) and New Moon (2009) in the role of Victoria. The Montreal-born actress starred as Stacy on the Canadian series The Werewolf on Campus in 1999 before moving to Los Angeles in 2004.
Missy Peregrym
Missy Peregym
Missy Peregrym | IMDB
Missy Peregrym rose to fame as Haley Graham in the 2006 gymnastics film Stick It. She was born in Montreal but grew up in Surrey, British Columbia. Missy has since starred in several other films and series, but her most notable projects in recent years are the crime series Rookie Blue from 2010-2015 and FBI from 2018-present.
Vanessa Lengies
Vanessa Lengies.
Vanessa Lengie’s | IMDB
The cast of the 2006 film Stick It consisted of two Quebecers, Missy Peregrym (Haley) and Vanessa Lengies (Joann). The latter was born in Montreal to an Egyptian mother and a German father.*
She played the role of Sugar Motta on the Glee series for 26 episodes and has since appeared in several Christmas movies including 2022’s Christmas in Toyland and 2020’s Heart of the Holidays.
Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood.
Bruce Greenwood | IMDB
Actor and producer Bruce Greenwood, whom you saw in the 2009 and 2013 Star Trek remakes, among others, was born in Rouyn-Noranda in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. He has participated in other major American projects such as the series The Resident since 2018, the film Gerald’s Game in 2017 and National Treasure: Book of Secrets in 2007.
Devery Jacobs
Indigenous actress Devery Jacobs was born in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, Montérégie and has appeared on such series projects as Cardinal and The Order in 2019 and Reservation Dogs in 2021.
Amanda Bruegel
Amanda Bruegel.
Amanda Bruegel | IMDB
The character of Rita in the series The Handmaid’s Tale, which aired from 2017 to the present, is played by Quebecer Amanda Brugel, who was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. She has also participated in projects such as Kim’s Convenience in 2016 and Snowpiercer in 2020.
* This article has been updated.
Note that we use inclusive writing when writing our articles. Visit the Government of Canada website for more information on this topic.