Canadian Oscar nominee Christopher Plummer added another feather to his jaunty cap on the weekend after his performance in the one-man play Barrymore netted the veteran actor an outstanding-performance award at the 10th annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto on Saturday.
At press time, the 82-year-old Plummer was heading into Sunday night's Academy Awards broadcast with a nomination for best supporting actor for his role as a widower who comes out of the closet in the drama Beginners.
"If Christopher Plummer had the year he's been having 30 years ago, we would have said he'd been having a good year," said ACTRA president Heather Allin. "But to have the kind of year he's having at this stage of his career is an inspiration to his fellow actors."
ACTRA gave the best female performer award to Toronto-bred Amy Price-Francis for her role as the tough-minded cop in Showcase's TV series King. A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, Price-Francis has also starred in Californication and 24.
Cape Breton, N.S.-born actor Billy MacLellan won best voice performance for his part in CBC Radio's drama Afghanada, about Canada's mission in Afghanistan, which signed off last December after 103 episodes over six seasons.
CBC's Rick Mercer took home ACTRA Toronto's 2012 Award of Excellence.
"We all know Rick Mercer is a funny man," said Allin. "But he's also a strong voice for Canadian culture. He defies gravity, stands up to bullies, and speaks truth to power – all in a way that makes us laugh, think and dare to make a difference."
Gayle MacDonald