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John Dunsworth was born in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, not far from the sea where he would spend much of his time on his yacht when not working. John was one of Halifax's most venerable and revered actors, appearing in countless CBC radio dramas and held leading roles in over 25 Neptune Theatre productions. In 1970, long before the days of waterfront renewal, John convinced the city of Halifax to lease to him a run-down old building by the shipyards which he turned into Pier One Theatre - Halifax's first and arguably its most successful alternative theatre company.

John first met Mike Clattenburg in the mid-1990s when he auditioned for a small role in Mike's short, One Last Shot. Halfway through shooting, John's small role blossomed into a leading part - a part that garnered him a Best Performance award from the Atlantic Film Festival. From there, John developed that role into the character Jim Lahey, the trailer park supervisor on the series Trailer Park Boys.

John's final acting credits include "Trailer Park Boys" (2001-2018), short film George (2018), and "Sir John A. And the Curse of the Anti-Quenched" (2017)

Beyond acting, John was an avid bridge player, holding master points. He also holds, until somebody proves otherwise, the Internet Scrabble record for having three 7-letter words in a row. Around town, John was easy to spot. He drove an old truck with a thousand pound winch that he would use to hauling granite. In 1987, John founded Filmworks Casting where he worked as Halifax's most successful casting director. Prior to that, John worked in the transportation industry, driving a cab for three years and working the CNR trains from Halifax and Sydney.

Evan MacNeil was born on 3 February 1934 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was an actress, known for The Andy Griffith Show (1960), Peter Gunn (1958) and Straightaway (1961). She was married to Paul Carr. She died on 10 February 2005 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Richard Collins was born in 1947 in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. He was an actor, known for Trailer Park Boys (2001), Trailer Park Boys: The Movie (2006) and Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys (2008). He died on 15 April 2013 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Also known as the "Sucka-Free Boss", and straight out of Nova Scotia, Pat is a world renowned battle rapper who has battled in many countries. Known for his commanding and captivating performances , as well as his non-stop comic ability and delivery, he blows away every room he performs in. With an extremely crafted gift for writing, presentation and humor, there truly is no end to his talents. Most recently Pat made his acting debut in the Eminem produced feature "Bodied." Keep and eye on this man, you will hear of him.

Marguerite McNeil was born on 21 January 1935 in Glace Bay, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was an actress, known for My Bloody Valentine (1981), Jumping the Broom (2011) and Rhonda's Party (2010). She died on 6 November 2021 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Joan Orenstein was one of the most accomplished actors on the Canadian stage. Born in England, she emigrated to Canada in the 1940s. She began acting late in life, in her forties, and rose to prominence as a dynamic and brave performer. She played on most of the major stages in Canada, often at Neptune Theatre in Halifax (Forever Yours, Marie-Lou, Memories of You) and Montreal's Centaur Theatre (Juno and the Paycock, People Are Living There, Stone Angel, Road to Mecca, Albertine, en cinq temps , and La Sagouine). She also appeared at the National Arts Centre (Waiting for the Parade , Mother Courage, Ghosts), Belfry Theatre (The Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr, If We Are Women), Manitoba Theatre Centre ('Night Mother), Canadian Stage ( Odd Jobs ), Theatre Calgary ( Transit of Venus ), Tarragon Theatre (Mrs. Klein), and the Shaw Festival (Mrs. Warren's Profession, Hedda Gabler). Her fiery stage performances were enthralling.

Her screen work was irregular but luminous. She made her feature debut in Henry & Verlin (1994) and won acclaim for her performance in The Hanging Garden (1997) which garnered her a Genie nomination and an Atlantic Film Festival Award. She won the Atlantic Film Festival Award again for her cameo performance as mother to Parker Posey in The Event (2003).

Early in her career Orenstein became blind in one eye. She retrained herself so that her partial blindness was unnoticed by audiences. In 2006 she became fully blind which frustrated her acting career. Orenstein was always known as a passionate and dedicated artist. Anyone who worked with Joan Orenstein will remember her wry and sophisticated sense of humor, an intimidating ferocity, and an ability to elevate the work of her collaborators.

She was married to Henry Orenstein, an artist and CBC production designer. Their children include stage actor Sarah Orenstein, dancer Cia Tweel, and designer Edie Orenstein.

Arthur L. Murphy was born on 8 February 1906 in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was a writer, known for Ben Casey (1961) and Encounter (1952). He died on 1 November 1985 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Dave James was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was an actor, known for Degrassi High (1987), The Froome Room (1994) and The Kids of Degrassi Street (1979). He died on 2 June 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

His 60 year career as a professional performer included eight seasons at the Stratford Festival, three national tours with the Canadian Opera Company, over 30 productions at Neptune Theatre and countless other performances at theaters across Canada and the United States. He was a veteran of over 200 CBC Radio dramas and countless television and film performances. For his last performances, he appeared as Pope Calixtus in the feature film "The Conclave" and as Wilbur in the mobile device movie, "The Electric Chair". A life member of ACTRA, Rutten served as Branch Councillor for ACTRA Maritimes. Joseph was a good person who made a tremendous contribution to the performing arts.

Myles Goodwyn was born on 23 June 1948 in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. He was an actor, known for Gas (1981), April Wine Live in London (1985) and Life with Derek (2005). He died on 3 December 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Charles Saunders was born on 3 July 1946 in Elizabeth, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a writer, known for Amazons (1986) and Stormquest (1988). He died in May 2020 in Dartmouth, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Fred Nolan was born on 5 July 1927 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is known for Miracle Mile (1988), Red Shoe Diaries (1992) and Tales from Oak Island (2024). He was married to Ora Miller. He died on 4 June 2016 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Matthew Amyotte was an actor, known for Outlander (2008), All the Wrong Reasons (2013) and The Corridor (2010). He died on 28 January 2017 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Shelagh Mackenzie was born on 3 August 1937 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. She was a producer and editor, known for Rivers to the Sea (1989), Singlehanders (1982) and Lypa (1988). She died on 25 September 2006 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Danish director, producer, writer, interviewer. Born September 11, 1936. Career In 1962, she joined the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, first as a production assistant, and then as a director, producer, writer and interviewer. Between 1962 and 1977, she directed 80 films for Danmarks Radio: TV specials, short fiction films, dramas, documentaries. Highlights of this part of her career include in-depth profiles of Jack Lemmon, Jerry Lewis, Peter Sellers, Peter Ustinov, Alfred Hitchcock, Jacques Brel, Irish satirist Dave Allen, and three-part documentary series on Charles Chaplin, "Time to Live" the history of French songs, and "Hurray for Hollywood" an in-depth look at the world of the American film industry. She directed all the behind the scenes footage of the one hour special Elvis in Concert and established herself as an independent producer in Hollywood. 1977-1987, under contract with Major studios, first under the banner of Don Stern productions, and then with her own company, Mc-Curry - Wolf Enterprises, she shaped the making-of genre, writing, producing and directing interviews, behind the scenes documentaries and trailers for more than 50 films: Jaws 2, 48 Hrs., Star Trek the Motion Picture, Nighthawk, Dracula, Somewhere in Time, Missing and Cat People, amongst others. During her time in Los Angeles, she also served as the chair of the Performing Arts Committee for the Scandinavian Arts Festival Scandinavia Today and co-founded Women In Film International, a global network comprised of some 40 Women In Film chapters worldwide, dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video and other screen-based media. In 1988, she joined advertising executive Harry Webber in the production of the musical drama Crossfire. 23 young former members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods gang told their personal stories on stage. The play was taped and led to a truce between the two rivaling gangs the Bloods and the Crips. She left the USA in 1990 to return to her home country Denmark - she resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. In 2000, she founded The Wolf Foundation, a non-profit organization established to protect and preserve the natural balance of the Arctic environment and its wildlife. (2015). The feature film "So It Was" is in preproduction.

Rehtaeh Anne Parsons died tragically after cyberbullying. His parents are Leah Parsons and Glen Canning. In addition to her parents, she left behind two darling sisters, Temyson and Teaghan, who both live in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia with Leah. Rehtaeh (often called 'Rae' by her family and by those close to her) was a free spirit and thinker. A 'straight A' student for most of her life, she liked science, biology, history, the arts, and learning about life. She was a passionate painter who found beauty in things other overlooked. Rehtaeh was known for her love of animals and expressed a deep sense of love, devotion, and empathy to animals in need. A compassionate heart, Rae felt for those less fortunate and never wanted to hurt others. Those who knew her were proud to call her daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend.

William Powell was born on 6 December 1949 in Roslyn, New York, USA. He was married to Ochan Kusuma-Powell. He died on 11 July 2016 in near Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Allan Rowe was born on 10 March 1955 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was an actor, known for The Greatest Adventure of My Life (2002) and The Pope in Newfoundland (1984). He died on 16 March 2015 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Sue Klabunde was born on 4 May 1964 in London, Ontario, Canada. Sue is known for K-19: The Widowmaker (2002), The River King (2005) and WiseGirls (2002). Sue died on 28 September 2007 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Taylor Josephine Stephanie Luciow became interested in performing by her mid teens and after graduating from the Etobicoke School of the Arts with a major in musical theatre deciding on a career as a singer and songwriter taking the surname Mitchell as her stage name. Mitchell had released a four track EP in 2007, she independently released an album titled For Your Consideration in March 2009. In June 2009, she was invited to perform in the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Reaction from the roots music community and radio stations was positive, and she began working on new material. A contributor to the album, Justin Rutledge, later described Mitchell as having written beyond her years: "She didn't provide answers, as so many of her age try to do. There was no preciousness about her. Instead she asked questions." To promote the album she went on a solo concert tour of the eastern coast Maritimes, beginning on October 23, 2009. A few days before her ultimate fate, Mitchell was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Young Performer of the Year. Her final performance was in Lucasville, near Halifax. There were two days before her scheduled concert in Sydney. In order to avoid the busy traffic of her tour, she decided to hike on the Skyline Trail at Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Unfortunately, eastern coyotes attacked her while hiking on that trail. Mitchell was bitten over most of her body, with particularly serious wounds to one of her legs and head. She was taken to Sacred Heart Community Health Centre in Cheticamp, and then airlifted to Halifax's Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in critical condition from the extreme blood loss she had suffered. She died just after midnight with her mother at her side. Mitchell's interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Edward Rubin was an actor, known for Dolores Claiborne (1995). He died on 14 September 2006 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Spencer MacKay was born on 9 July 1997 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was an assistant director and producer, known for Same Nightmare (2018), Lockdown Engaged and Subject #44 (2019). He died on 27 November 2024 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Izzy Nadeau was born on 28 August 1977 in Dundee, New Brunswick, Canada. Izzy is known for From (2022) and Christmas Island (2023). Izzy died on 5 April 2025 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Doris Hall was born on 19 August 1941 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She is known for Pit Pony (1997). She died on 1 October 2021 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Kay Hill was born on 7 April 1917 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Kay was a writer, known for On Camera (1954), Encounter (1952) and The Serial (1963). Kay died on 14 March 2011 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.