Gordon Pinsent, a lion in the Canadian artistic community, and a portrait painter himself, chooses to sit for Star Portraits in the Hart House Theatre at University of Toronto, because it’s a place where his dear departed wife, Charmion, used to perform.  The three artists are wildly diverse in their styles and technique, but are all profoundly moved by his stories and gentle warmth as he speaks of his wife, his beloved Newfoundland, and his own drive to keep performing, even as he turns 80.  And when it comes to painting his portrait, these three artists display through their diverse works the surprisingly personal way that he has affected them.

Gordon Pinsent is a forty-year veteran of theatre, film, television and radio. He also successfully balances acting and writing (The Rowdyman and John and the Misses were both turned into feature films, with Gordon directing the latter).  He won a Gemini for his writing and starred in CBC’s Win Again.  He is a recipient of two ACTRA awards, three GENIE Awards, five Gemini Awards, and a DORA Award. Though Gordon won critical raves for his dramatic role in Away from Her, he is no stranger to comedy, having played Hap Shaughnessy on The Red Green Show.