Top 20 Famous People Born in Toronto ⋆ SprawlTag.com

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and one of the country’s biggest cultural centers. It has produced famous names in music, film, television, sports, comedy, and the arts. Some became Canadian icons, while others built careers recognized around the world. This countdown ranks 20 of the most famous people born in Toronto.

20. Joey Votto (1983–)

*Joey Votto became one of Canada’s most successful Major League Baseball players.*

Baseball took Joey Votto from Toronto to a long career with the Cincinnati Reds. He made his Major League debut in 2007. Votto won the National League MVP Award in 2010. He became one of the most accomplished Canadian hitters in baseball history.

19. Penny Oleksiak (2000–)

*Penny Oleksiak became Canada’s most decorated Olympic athlete.*

Swimming made Penny Oleksiak a Canadian sports star while she was still a teenager. She won four medals at the 2016 Olympics. Oleksiak later added three more Olympic medals to her career total. Her seven medals made her Canada’s most decorated Olympian.

18. Trish Stratus (1975–)

*Trish Stratus became one of the most famous women in professional wrestling.*

Professional wrestling turned Trish Stratus into an internationally recognized performer. She became one of WWE’s biggest female stars during the 2000s. Stratus won the company’s women’s championship seven times. WWE inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2013.

17. P.K. Subban (1989–)

*P.K. Subban combined NHL success with a larger-than-life public profile.*

Hockey brought P.K. Subban fame as one of the NHL’s most recognizable defensemen. He won the Norris Trophy in 2013. Subban played for Montreal, Nashville, and New Jersey during his NHL career. He later moved into sports broadcasting after retiring.

16. Russell Peters (1970–)

*Russell Peters turned Toronto stand-up into an international comedy career.*

Stand-up comedy carried Russell Peters from Toronto stages to audiences around the world. His comedy frequently drew from multicultural experiences and family life. Peters became one of the highest-paid comedians in the world. His international tours built an especially large following outside North America.

15. Summer McIntosh (2006–)

*Summer McIntosh quickly became one of Canada’s greatest swimming stars.*

Swimming made Summer McIntosh an international star before she reached adulthood. She made her Olympic debut at only 14. McIntosh won three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She has also broken multiple world records during her young career.

14. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1998–)

*Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rose into the highest ranks of professional basketball.*

Basketball carried Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Toronto birth to NBA superstardom. He developed into one of basketball’s elite scorers with Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander also became a major figure for Canada’s national team. His rise made him one of Canada’s biggest modern sports stars.

13. Rick Moranis (1953–)

*Rick Moranis became a beloved star of several classic Hollywood comedies.*

Comedy made Rick Moranis a familiar face during the 1980s and 1990s. He first gained widespread attention through SCTV. Moranis later starred in Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. His distinctive characters became fixtures of popular comedy.

12. Howie Mandel (1955–)

*Howie Mandel built a television career lasting across several generations.*

Comedy launched Howie Mandel into a career spanning television, film, and game shows. He starred on the medical drama St. Elsewhere. Mandel later became widely known as host of Deal or No Deal. He also reached new audiences as a longtime America’s Got Talent judge.

11. Frank Gehry (1929–2025)

*Frank Gehry became one of the world’s most influential modern architects.*

Architecture made Frank Gehry one of Toronto’s most internationally influential natives. His unconventional designs transformed skylines and challenged traditional architectural forms. Gehry designed landmarks including the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Walt Disney Concert Hall. He received the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989.

10. Robbie Robertson (1943–2023)

*Robbie Robertson helped create some of rock music’s most enduring songs.*

Music made Robbie Robertson famous as guitarist and principal songwriter for The Band. The group recorded classics including “The Weight.” Robertson also developed a long creative partnership with director Martin Scorsese. His work influenced generations of rock and Americana musicians.

9. Glenn Gould (1932–1982)

*Glenn Gould became one of the most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th century.*

Classical music brought Glenn Gould worldwide recognition as a pianist. His recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach became particularly celebrated. Gould famously stopped giving public concerts while still at the height of his career. His recordings and ideas continued influencing musicians long after his death.

8. Geddy Lee (1953–)

*Geddy Lee helped turn Rush into one of Canada’s biggest rock bands.*

Rock music made Geddy Lee famous as the voice and bassist of Rush. The band developed a devoted international following across several decades. Lee became known for complex bass playing and his distinctive vocals. Rush entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

7. Lorne Michaels (1944–)

*Lorne Michaels built one of television’s longest-running comedy institutions.*

Television comedy changed permanently through the career of Lorne Michaels. He created Saturday Night Live in 1975. The program launched or transformed the careers of generations of comedians. Michaels became one of the most influential producers in American television history.

6. Mary Pickford (1892–1979)

*Mary Pickford became one of the first true superstars of motion pictures.*

Hollywood’s earliest years turned Mary Pickford into one of cinema’s first international superstars. Audiences knew her as “America’s Sweetheart.” Pickford also co-founded United Artists alongside other major Hollywood figures. Her influence extended from acting into production and control over filmmaking.

5. Catherine O’Hara (1954–2026)

*Catherine O’Hara remained a comedy favorite across more than four decades.*

Comedy brought Catherine O’Hara from Toronto to decades of international success. She first gained fame as part of SCTV. O’Hara later appeared in films including Beetlejuice and Home Alone. Her role on Schitt’s Creek introduced her comic talent to another generation.

4. Christopher Plummer (1929–2021)

*Christopher Plummer built an acclaimed acting career spanning more than six decades.*

Stage and screen made Christopher Plummer one of Canada’s most celebrated actors. He became internationally famous through The Sound of Music. Plummer continued working in major films well into his later years. He won an Academy Award for Beginners in 2012.

3. Mike Myers (1963–)

*Mike Myers turned memorable comic characters into worldwide movie hits.*

Comedy made Mike Myers one of the biggest movie stars of the 1990s and 2000s. He gained national attention through Saturday Night Live. Myers created the hugely successful Austin Powers film series. He also voiced the title character in the Shrek franchise.

2. The Weeknd (1990–)

*The Weeknd became one of the biggest global pop stars of the 21st century.*

Music carried Abel Tesfaye from Toronto to global pop superstardom as The Weeknd. His atmospheric early recordings quickly attracted international attention. Songs including “Blinding Lights” became enormous worldwide hits. He grew into one of the most commercially successful artists of his generation.

1. Drake (1986–)

*Drake became arguably the most internationally famous entertainer born in Toronto.*

Music transformed Drake from a Toronto television actor into a global superstar. He first attracted widespread attention through the series Degrassi: The Next Generation. Drake then built one of the most successful careers in modern hip-hop. His albums and singles repeatedly dominated international streaming and music charts.