Paul Gross
Gross at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival
Born
Paul Michael Gross

(1959-04-30) April 30, 1959
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Occupation(s)Actor, director, writer, producer
Years active1985–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1988)​
Children2, including Hannah Gross

Paul Michael Gross OC (born April 30, 1959)[1][2] is a Canadian actor, director, writer, and producer born in Calgary, Alberta.

Gross is known for his lead role as Constable Benton Fraser in the popular Canadian television series Due South as well as for his 2008 war film Passchendaele, which he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in.[3] Gross acted as executive producer on Due South and in addition to starring, wrote seven episodes including the two-part series finale, and wrote and sang songs for the soundtrack of the series. He later found success with two other Canadian television series, Slings & Arrows and Republic of Doyle.

Early life

Gross was born in Calgary, Alberta, the son of Renie Gross (née Dunne), a writer and art historian, and Robert "Bob" Gross, a career soldier, colonel, and tank commander.[4][5] His family moved to Arlington, Virginia in his adolescence, where Gross attended Yorktown High School. He credits drama teacher Timothy Jecko as his inspiration for becoming an actor: "I'm not sure where I would have ended up otherwise."[6]

Career

Gross studied acting at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, but he left during the third year of his study.[7] He went back later to complete the half-credit needed to receive his fine arts degree.[8] He appeared in several stage productions, such as Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.[9] Other productions in which he appeared include Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme and As You Like It.[9] His student work The Deer and the Antelope Play was co-produced by the university's department of drama and Theatre Network, and won both the Clifford E. Lee National Playwriting Award and the Alberta Culture Playwriting Award.[8]

After the play Successful Strangers, Gross starred in his first movie, Turning to Stone.[10][11]

He wrote and directed the curling movie Men with Brooms.[12] Gross starred in the television series Slings & Arrows from 2003 to 2006 alongside his wife Martha Burns, which The A.V. Club called "one of TV's greatest shows".[13]

In 2008, he attracted widespread attention in Canada when he wrote, co-produced, directed, and starred in the Genie Award-winning film Passchendaele, inspired by stories he heard from his grandfather, a First World War soldier.[8] The film had its premiere at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival on September 4, 2008, when it also had the honour of opening the festival.[14] The film received a mixed reception upon release. [15] Despite this, it won several awards; namely five awards the 29th Genie Awards, including Best Picture,[16] and the Golden Reel Award for Canada's top-grossing film of 2008.[17] On March 2, 2009, Paul Gross was honoured for his film Passchendaele, winning that year's National Arts Centre Award for achievement over the past performance year.[18]

From September 16, 2011, he appeared in a production of Noël Coward's Private Lives in Toronto co-starring Kim Cattrall (the production ended October 30, 2011);[19] the production moved to Broadway where it opened November 6, and closed on December 31, 2011.[20] That year, he also produced a feature film with Akshay Kumar called Breakaway starring Camilla Belle and Vinay Virmani.[21]

Between 2011 and 2014, he appeared in 9 episodes as Kevin Crocker on Republic of Doyle.[22][23]

More recently, Gross completed work on the contemporary war drama Hyena Road, released on October 9, 2015.[24][8]

Gross is starring in the title role of King Lear during the 2023 season of the Stratford Festival.[25]

Due South

His role as upright Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer Benton Fraser in the Due South television series (1994–1999) brought him increased recognition.[26] Like fellow actor David Marciano, he didn't want to do the show at first, and creator Paul Haggis didn't even know if he wanted Gross for the role, but following a meeting, he was cast as Constable Benton Fraser.[27]

When Due South was revived for the third season, Gross returned in the role of Benton Fraser. He also took on duties as executive producer and writer. He earned an estimated salary of $2–3 million per season, and at the time was the highest-paid performer in Canadian television history.[28] He wrote several episodes of the last season of the series. His favourite episodes include "Gift of the Wheelman" and "All the Queen's Horses" and his episodes "Mountie on the Bounty" and "Call of the Wild" are of a similar style.[27]

Personal life

In September 1988, Gross married Canadian actress Martha Burns.[29][25] The couple have two children, Hannah Gross, who is also an actress, and Jack Gross.[30]

Theatre

Year Role Title Theatre
1981 Sylvius As You Like It Northern Light Theatre, Edmonton
Lysander A Midsummer Night's Dream
1982–1983   Mrs Warren's Profession Theatre Calgary
  Unseen Hand
  Farther West
Clarence Underhill Walsh National Arts Centre, Ottawa
Motherwell The Kite Festival Lennoxville
  Take Me Where the Water is Warm
George Gaga In the Jungle of Cities
1984 Dorante Successful Strangers Centaur Theatre, Montréal
Romeo Romeo and Juliet Toronto Free Theatre, Toronto
1988 Young Kenneth Pyper Observe the sons of ulster marching towards the somme Centrestage Co., Toronto
1989 Brick Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg
2000 Hamlet Hamlet Stratford Festival of Canada
2011 Elyot Private Lives Royal Alexandra Theatre, Music Box Theatre
2012 Edmund Gowery Are You There, McPhee? McCarter Theatre, New Jersey[31]
2015 Bill Pulver Domesticated Berkeley St. Theatre, co-production between The Company Theatre and Canadian Stage[32]
2020 James Wallack Keene Red Bull Theatre N.Y.[33]
2023 Lear King Lear Stratford Festival

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989Cold ComfortStephen Miller
Divided LoyaltiesWalter Butler
1991Married to ItJeremy Brimfield
1992Buried on SundayAugustus Knickel
1993Aspen ExtremeT.J. Burke
1994Whale MusicDaniel Howl
Paint CansMorton Ridgewell
2002Men with BroomsChris CutterAlso writer and director
2004Wilby WonderfulBuddy French
2008PasschendaeleMichael DunneAlso writer, producer and director
2010GunlessThe Montana Kid
Barney's VersionConstable O'Malley of the North
2011Speedy SinghsProducer
2015Hyena RoadPete MitchellAlso writer, producer and director
Beeba BoysJamie
2018The Parting GlassSean
2020FallingDr. Solvei
2021The Middle ManThe Sheriff

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986Turning to StoneBillyDebut; television film
1986AirwavesWriter
1988Chasing RainbowsJake Kincaid14 episodes
1989Street LegalSteven Hines2 episodes
1990The Ray Bradbury TheaterSkip1 episode
Getting Married in Buffalo JumpAlex BresnyachukTelevision film
1993Gross Misconduct: The Life of Brian SpencerWriter
1993Armistead Maupin's Tales of the CityBrian Hawkins6 episodes
1994XXX's & OOO'sBucky DeanTelevision film
1994–1999Due SouthConstable Benton Fraser67 episodes
1996–1998The Red Green ShowKevin Black5 episodes
1997Noel's House PartyHimself1 episode[34]
20,000 Leagues Under the SeaNed LandTelevision film
1999Murder Most LikelyPatrick KellyTelevision film
2003–2005The Eleventh HourTony Joel2 episodes
2003–2006Slings & ArrowsGeoffrey Tennant18 episodes
2004H2O: The Last Prime MinisterThomas David McLaughlinAlso writer and executive producer
Monday ReportEpisode #2.3
2005Burnt ToastScottTelevision film
2006Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas StoryJohn Diefenbaker2 episodes
Hockey: A People's HistoryNarrator10 episodes
2008The Trojan HorseThomas David McLaughlinAlso writer and executive producer
2009–2010EastwickDarryl Van HorneRegular; 12 episodes
2010Men with BroomsChris Cutter12 episodes
2011–2014Republic of DoyleKevin Crocker9 episodes
2017Alias GraceThomas Kinnear4 episodes
2018CaughtRoy PattersonMiniseries; 5 episodes
2019Tales of the CityBrian HawkinsMain cast; 9 episodes
2021Y: The Last ManPresident Ted Campbell2 episodes

Honours


RibbonDescriptionNotes
Officer of the Order of Canada (O.C.)
  • Awarded on May 2, 2013;
  • Invested on February 13, 2015[35]
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Canada

Awards

Year Award Category Film/Play Result
1981Alberta Culture competitionNew PlayThe Deer and the Antelope PlayWon
1982Clifford E. Lee FoundationNational Award for PlaywrightsThe Deer and the Antelope PlayWon
Alberta Culture competitionNew PlayThe Dead of WinterWon
1985Dora AwardBest PerformanceRomeo and JulietNominated
1986Gemini AwardBest Writing in a TV DramaIn This CornerNominated
1988Dora AwardOutstanding Performance by a Male in a Featured RoleObserve the Sons of Ulster Marching Toward the SommeWon
1994Gemini AwardBest Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesGross MisconductNominated
1995Gemini AwardBest Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic RoleDue SouthWon
1996Gemini AwardBest Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic RoleDue SouthWon
1997Gemini AwardBest Writing in a Dramatic SeriesDue SouthNominated
(with Paul Quarrington, John Krizanc)
1998Gemini AwardBest Writing in a Dramatic SeriesDue SouthWon
(with John Krizanc, R.B. Carney – Mountie on the Bounty, part 2)
Best Dramatic SeriesDue SouthNominated
(with Frank Siracusa, Peter Bray, R.B. Carney, George Bloomfield)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic RoleDue SouthNominated
Best Writing in a Dramatic SeriesDue SouthNominated
(with R.B. Carney, John Krizanc – Mountie on the Bounty, part 1)
Best Writing in a Dramatic SeriesDue SouthNominated
(Burning Down the House)
1999Gemini AwardCanada's Choice AwardDue SouthWon
(with Frank Siracusa, David Cole, R.B. Carney)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic RoleDue SouthNominated
2000Gemini AwardBest Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesMurder Most LikelyNominated
Best TV Movie or Dramatic Mini-SeriesMurder Most LikelyNominated
(with R.B. Carney, Frank Siracusa, Robert Forsyth, Anne Marie La Traverse)
2003Canadian Comedy AwardPretty Funny DirectionMen With BroomsWon
Pretty Funny Male PerformanceMen With BroomsNominated
Pretty Funny WritingMen With BroomsNominated
(with John Krizanc)
Genie AwardBest Original ScreenplayMen With BroomsNominated
(with John Krizanc)
2004Gemini AwardBest Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic RoleSlings & ArrowsWon
2005ACTRA TorontoAward Of Excellence Won
Writers Guild of CanadaMovie of the Week and/or Mini-SeriesH2OWon
(with John Krizanc)
Directors Guild of CanadaOutstanding Team Achievement in a Television Movie or Mini-SeriesH2OWon
Gemini AwardBest Dramatic Mini-SeriesH2ONominated
(with Frank Siracusa)
Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesH2ONominated
(with John Krizanc)
Monte Carlo Television FestivalBest Performance by an Actor in a Mini-SeriesH2OWon
2007Gemini AwardBest Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic RoleSlings & ArrowsWon
2008Gemini AwardBest Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesThe Trojan HorseNominated
(with John Krizanc)
2009Genie AwardBest Motion PicturePasschendaeleWon
(with Niv Fichman, Francis Damberger and Frank Siracusa)
Golden Reel AwardPasschendaeleWon
(with Niv Fichman, Francis Damberger and Frank Siracusa)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading RolePasschendaeleNominated
NBC Universal CanadaAward of Distinction Won
The Governor General's performing arts awardsNational Arts Centre Award: Exceptional Achievement over the Past Performance Year Won
Directors Guild of CanadaTeam Feature FilmPasschendaeleWon
National History SocietyPierre Berton AwardPasschendaeleWon
(Sources: Paul Gross website)

Discography

Albums

Year Album
1997 Two Houses (with David Keeley)
2001 Love and Carnage (with David Keeley)

(first released as Give the Dog a Bone)[37]

Singles

Year Single CAN Country Album
1997 "Voodoo" Two Houses
(with David Keeley)
1998 "32 Down on the Robert MacKenzie"
1999 "Papa's Front Porch" 61
2000 "Ride Forever"

References

  1. ↑ Lucas, Ralph (April 29, 2020). "Paul Gross". Northernstars.ca. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Paul Gross biography and filmography | Paul Gross movies". Tribute. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  3. ↑ Walker, Angela. "Paul Gross, Due South star, receiving Confederation Centre award". CBC.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Brian D. "Paul Gross (Profile)".
  5. ↑ "Paul Gross FAQ". paulgross.org.
  6. ↑ Harris, Bill. "Paul Gross's Remarkable Teacher, Tim Jecko". Professionally Speaking. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  7. ↑ "TV.com". Paul Gross Biography. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  8. 1 2 3 4 MacPherson, Adrianna (October 11, 2015). "From Student to Star: With a new film hitting the big screen, actor-writer-director Paul Gross reflects on his time honing his craft in Edmonton". Avenue magazine Edmonton. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Paul's stage roles". Paul Gross website. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  10. ↑ Gerald Pratley, A Century of Canadian Cinema. Lynx Images, 2003. ISBN 1-894073-21-5. p. 226.
  11. ↑ Noel Taylor, "Show about women's prison shocking, moving". Ottawa Citizen, February 24, 1986.
  12. ↑ Karrys, George (March 31, 2022). "Men With Brooms Turns 20". The Curling News. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  13. ↑ "The creators of Slings & Arrows talk about creating one of TV's greatest shows". The A.V. Club. May 30, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  14. ↑ Kelly, Brendan (July 16, 2008). "Toronto unveils Canadian selection". Variety. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Passchendaele (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. December 7, 2010. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television". Academy.ca. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Pre-Genie Awards Announced" Archived 2009-06-01 at the Wayback Machine, Northern Stars.
  18. ↑ "War epic Passchendaele among GG winners". thestar.com. March 2, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Private Lives". Mirvish Productions. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  20. ↑ "About". Private Lives. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Speedy Singhs as producer". bollywoodhungama.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011.
  22. ↑ TheIndependent.ca (April 4, 2011). "Paul Gross guest starring on Republic of Doyle". The Independent. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Paul Gross and Gordon Pinsent join Republic of Doyle season finale". thestar.com. April 20, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  24. ↑ Daniel Chai. "Movie Review: Hyena Road takes you into the heart of Canada's Afghanistan war". Vancity Buzz.
  25. 1 2 "Paul Gross to play King Lear at Stratford Festival" by J. Kelly Nestruck at theglobeandmail.com
  26. ↑ "Netflix will stream older Canadian TV shows including 'Due South' starring Paul Gross". thestar.com. August 12, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  27. 1 2 Due South Archived December 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
  28. ↑ "Paul Gross (Profile)". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Paul Gross and Martha Burns onstage together for first time in 30 years" by Richard Ouzounian at thestar.com
  30. ↑ "Martha Burns returns to her roots" by Richard Ouzounian at thestar.com
  31. ↑ "Swimming in a Sea of Stories" by Charles Isherwood at www.nytimes.com
  32. ↑ "Paul Gross and Martha Burns shine in ‘Domesticated’ but script falls short" by Richard Ouzounian at www.thestar.com
  33. ↑ "Red Bull Theater Presents Anchuli Felicia King's Keene October 19" by Dan Meyer at playbill.com
  34. ↑ "Paul Gross on Crinkley Bottom". Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2010 – via YouTube.
  35. ↑ "Recipients". June 11, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Recipients". June 11, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Give a Dog a Bone (review)". Paul Gross. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
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