Global Talent Directory

Comedians from Canada

The comedian directory for Canada: profiles, bios, photos and social links.

124 comedians

Anthony Kavanagh

Anthony Kavanagh, born on September 26, 1969, in Greenfield Park, Quebec, is a multifaceted Canadian entertainer. He is recognized as a Quebecois humorist, actor, singer, and television host of Haitian origin. His parents immigrated to Quebec in the 1960s; his father works as a teacher and his mother directs a hospital. Kavanagh’s early exposure to performance began at age 14 with a debut in a high school talent show, followed by a comedic and musical show at Antoine-Brossard high school when he was 16. Kavanagh quickly gained recognition within the Canadian comedy scene, winning the Best New Comic Award at the Juste pour rire Festival in Montreal in 1989. He also won the 'Juste pour rire' national auditions that same year. In 1992, Julio Iglesias and Natalie Cole benefited from his skill, and he spent two years touring Canada as the opening act for Céline Dion. At age 23, he became the youngest talk show host in Quebec, hosting “…et Anthony” starting in 1993. He also appeared on the comedy radio show Les Midis fous and television shows Super sans plomb and Voodootaxi. The comedian’s career continued to flourish with his solo show 'Kavanagh!', which premiered in 1995 and toured Quebec. This show achieved significant success, eventually running for two years and playing in seven countries, selling 250,000 DVDs, and concluding in 2003. Beyond stand-up, Kavanagh's abilities were recognized when he won the Outstanding New Talent award at the Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland in 1995; he also voiced Mushu for the French-Canadian version of Disney’s *Mulan* in 1998, and contributed voice work to numerous other films from Disney and DreamWorks. He has also showcased his musical abilities, playing Billy Flynn in the French version of Chicago in both Montreal (2003) and Paris (2004), and performing at the Théâtre Trévise in Paris for seven months and at the Olympia in 1999. In 2006, he launched “Les démons de l’Arkange,” a show combining music, comedy, and stand-up, culminating in an album release of the same name in January 2006 and performances at the Grand Rex in Paris. Since 2001, he has hosted the NRJ Music Awards six years in a row. After living abroad for a time, Kavanagh returned to live in Quebec with his family in 2017.

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Billy Tellier

Billy Tellier is a Quebec humorist, also known as a Canadian comedian and humorist. He maintains a presence on Facebook, Instagram, and X. As one of Quebec's most popular comedians, he connects with audiences through relatable anecdotes and incorporates self-deprecating humor into his comedy style, which includes observational humor and engaging storytelling. He is known for his sharp wit and uses a one-line, one-punch style of humor. Tellier’s career includes various roles in television and radio. For ten years, ending in summer 2023, he co-hosted the morning show on 96.9 CKOI radio with Martin Cloutier, Tammy Verge, and Valérie Roberts. He previously hosted shows such as 'Trouve-moi ça' (2014), 'Des champions du web' (2014-2015), and 'Le poker show' (2008) on V/TQS. He also appeared as an actor in ‘La vie parfaite’ and ‘Colocs.TV,’ co-writing and acting in the latter. From 2019 to 2021, he served as a columnist on ‘Sucré Salé’. He has contributed to numerous other shows including 'Plus ou moins misérable', 'Juste pour rire en direct', and 'Vrak la vie'. His stage work began with 'La loi du plus fort' in winter 2013, directed by Christian Viau and released on DVD. Critics and audiences praised this show. He subsequently co-hosted the ComediHa Gala for two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017, with Mario Jean, and presented 'Le petit monde de Billy Tellier Live' at Place des Arts in 2017 and 2018. His current show is "Hypocrite," which explores aspects of modern life. The show 'Hypocrite(s),' toured Quebec from 2019 to December 2023, selling over 50,000 tickets and earning the 'billet or' certification. He is expected to receive an Olivier Award in 2024 for a radio humorous capsule or sketch. His third one-man show, 'Kicker la ruche,' directed by Laurent Paquin, premiered on February 5th and explores the fear of making choices due to potential consequences, including those made for children and by his mother. The show has sold approximately 40,000 tickets and is scheduled for autumn 2024, with upcoming shows in November and December 2026 in locations such as Gatineau, Val d’Or, Rouyn-Noranda, Matagami, Brossard, and Saint-Eustache.

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Cathy Jones

Cathy Jones is a Canadian actress, comedian, and writer, born on April 6, 1955, in St. John's, Newfoundland. She hails from a family with comedic roots; her brother is the comedian Andy Jones. Her early involvement in theatre began at age 17, when her brother helped her join the Newfoundland Traveling Theatre Company. This initial experience set the stage for her future career in performance. In 1973, Jones relocated to Toronto with Tommy Sexton, Greg Malone, Mary Walsh, and Dyan Olsen seeking theatrical opportunities. Shortly thereafter, she co-founded the comedy troupe CODCO in the fall of that year. The group expanded early in 1974 with the addition of Robert Joy and Andy Jones. CODCO became a significant presence in Canadian theatre and television, with Jones appearing in a regular role in the television series Codco in 1988. She also demonstrated her versatility by starring in films such as Secret Nation (2001), where she played Frieda Vokey, and other projects like How to Be Deadly , Weirdos , Congratulations , and Happyland . She further showcased her comedic talent with one-woman shows, including Wedding in Texas and Me, Dad and The Hundred Boyfriends . Jones’s most recognizable work is likely her long tenure on the television series This Hour Has 22 Minutes , which she co-created with Rick Mercer, Mary Walsh, and Greg Thomey in 1992. She remained a cast member for 28 years, departing in 2021 and becoming the sole original cast member from 2005 onwards after Greg Thomey’s departure. On 22 Minutes , she is known for portraying a wide range of characters, including men and women with diverse gender identities, such as Mrs. Enid, Babe Bennett, Joe Crow, and Love Murphy. Her performance as Miss Enid continued in the 2020 CBC Gem web series Broad Appeal: Living with E's . Throughout her career, Jones has received considerable recognition, including 18 Gemini Awards for writing in a comedy series and three Canadian Comedy Awards for writing. A CBC Life and Times biopic, Keeping up with Cathy Jones , was produced in 2006. She also served as producer for her 2002 special, Cathy Jones Gets a Special . She has also acted as a spokesperson for Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie in 2013.

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Dave Thomas

David William Thomas, known professionally as Dave Thomas, is a Canadian actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and director. He was born on May 20, 1949, in St. Catharines, Ontario. His parents, Moreen Duff Muir from Glasgow, Scotland, and John E. Thomas from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, were British immigrants. His father, a medical ethicist, headed the Philosophy Department at McMaster University; the family briefly resided in Durham, North Carolina while his father studied at Duke University. Dave Thomas has a younger brother, Ian Thomas, who is a singer-songwriter. Thomas’s career began after graduating with honors from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. Initially working as a copywriter at McCann Erickson in 1974, he quickly advanced to head writer for Coca-Cola's Canadian account within a year. He then joined the Second City troupe following an audition, participating in the Toronto production of Godspell alongside future comedy stars. From 1976 to 1981, he played multiple roles, including Doug McKenzie, Angus Crock, and Lee Iacocca, on Second City Television ( SCTV ). He also appeared in The Rimshots (1976) and Home to Stay (1978), as well as various roles in the TV series Bizarre (1980). Thomas achieved widespread recognition through his portrayal of Doug McKenzie on SCTV , often alongside Rick Moranis. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on the show. As Bob and Doug McKenzie, they released two albums, The Great White North and Strange Brew , and starred in the film The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew (1983), which Thomas also directed. His film credits extend to titles like My Man Adam (1985), Coneheads (1993), Rat Race (2001), and Beethoven’s 5th (2003). He also co-wrote Spies Like Us (1985) with Dan Aykroyd. Thomas has voiced characters in films such as Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird (1985) and Brother Bear (2003) and Brother Bear 2 (2006), and played roles in MVP: Most Valuable Primate (2000). He directed Les Experts (1989) and The Stranger She Brought Home (2021). Beyond acting and directing, Thomas has worked extensively behind the scenes. He wrote the book SCTV: Behind the Scenes , published in 1996, and produced 144 episodes of Family Challenge for the Family Channel. He also appeared as Russell Norton on the television series Grace Under Fire from 1993 to 1998. Throughout his career, Dave Thomas has demonstrated versatility across various comedic platforms, leaving a significant mark on Canadian entertainment.

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Louis Champagne

Louis Champagne is a Canadian actor, director, and writer originating from Quebec. He graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1994, earning recognition early in his career with the Newcomer of the Year award from the Ligue nationale d'improvisation that same year. Throughout his career, he has consistently appeared in film and television, often in supporting roles, establishing himself as a familiar face in Quebec’s entertainment landscape. Champagne’s work spans various genres and roles. He is known for recurring appearances in the Radio-Canada series Minuit, le soir from 2005 to 2007, and Escouade 99 , where he appears as Goudreau. His diverse portfolio includes portraying Rodrigue 'Doggy' in Les Boys (1997), a bus driver in C't'à ton tour, Laura Cadieux (1998), and Norm in Karmina 2 (2001). He has also taken on notable characters such as Sergeant Bonneville in Coteau rouge (2011), Marc in Amsterdam (2013) and Bobby in Roche Papier Ciseaux (2013). Notably, he directed the independent film Les Cavaliers de la canette in 2007, also playing the role of Louis in that production. His versatility is further showcased by roles like portraying Elvis Presley in an episode of Dans une galaxie près de chez vous (1999), and Saint-Pierre in Dieu reçoit (1999). Beyond television and film, Champagne has demonstrated his theatrical abilities. In 2013, he played Edna Turnblad in a stage production of Hairspray at Montreal's Théâtre Saint-Denis. He continues to be active in the industry, with recent roles including François Vadeboncœur in Nous (2023), Jean-Robert ‘J-R’ Mailloux in La Candidate (2023), and a forthcoming role as Bruno Godin in Projet Innocence (2024). Future projects include playing Le gros Denis in Le Gouffre lumineux (2026), indicating a sustained presence in Canadian film and television.

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Louis Morissette

Louis Morissette is a Canadian actor and screenwriter born on July 19, 1973, in Drummondville, Quebec. Initially expected to take over his father’s ventilation business, Venmar, he ultimately pursued a career in entertainment, earning a bachelor's degree in marketing from McGill University in 1995 and studying at the École nationale de l'humour in 1995 and 1996. Morissette began his comedy journey as a member of the group Les Mecs Comiques with Alex Perron and Jean-François Baril. He co-authored the television series Un gars, une fille with Jean-François Baril starting in 1998, and later appeared in several films including The Comeback , Stay with Me , Liverpool , The Fall of the American Empire , Goodbye Happiness , and François.e . He starred in and wrote the films The Mirage (1998) and The Guide to the Perfect Family (2003), and co-wrote and acted in the television series 3X Rien from 2005 to 2007. His work also includes appearances in 3x rien , C.A. , and Plan B . He is a regular writer and sketch performer for Bye Bye , a New Year's Eve special on Ici Radio-Canada Télé. Throughout his career, Morissette has demonstrated versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. He subsequently conceived and co-produced the talk show Le Verdict in 2010, and from 2006 to 2011, wrote, co-produced, and starred in the television series C.A. , which was exported internationally. In 2011, he founded the production company KOTV with Alain Chicoine and Louis-Philippe Drolet, which now employs approximately 100 people and has produced shows like Les Bye Bye , Les Détestables , and Le Maître du jeu . He married television and radio host Véronique Cloutier in 2012, and together they have three children: Delphine, Raphaelle, and Justin, and founded the Fondation Véro et Louis in April 2016. He will also host a sports podcast called Entre la poire et le fromage with Maxime Talbot in 2026.

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Marc Favreau

A French Canadian with diverse talents, Marc Favreau was born in Montreal, Quebec, on November 9, 1929; he worked as an actor, comedian, author, and poet. He died on December 17, 2005, at the age of 76. His parents were Paul Favreau, an architect, and Esther Renaud. Initially intending to work with theatre and television set design, he studied at the Collège de Victoriaville and the Académie Querbes d'Outremont. He began his career as a comedian in 1950 at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, playing Pierrot in Molière’s Dom Juan , and also debuted on television in Le Survenant and 14, rue de Galais around that time. Favreau is best known for creating and portraying the clown character Sol. He began his television career on Radio-Canada’s children's show La Boîte à surprise in 1958, where he initially performed as part of an act called Bim et Sol. Subsequently, he appeared in several clown duos within La Boîte à surprises , including Sol et Bouton and Sol et Biscuit. He developed Sol's monologues into a popular one-man show, performing the character for roughly thirty years on stages across Canada, France, Belgium, and other French-speaking countries. From 1963 to 1967, he played Berlingot in Les Croquignoles , and from 1968 to 1971, he reprised his role as Sol in the series Sol et Gobelet , which he co-created with Luc Durand. Many English Canadian children were introduced to Quebec French through his work. Favreau’s comedy style involved witty deconstructions of the French language for the character of Sol, often manipulating words and using them to challenge the audience’s perspective. Sol advocated for water preservation. He authored works such as Les Åufs limpides , Le Fier Monde , and Faut dâla fuite dans les idÃ©es . Receiving multiple honors during his career, Marc Favreau became a Knight of the National Order of Quebec during 1995. Also, he received the Medal of the Order of Francophones of America in 1989, and was designated an Officer of the Order of Canada for 2003. A library bearing his name was established in Montreal in 2012, and an elementary school in Notre-Dame-De-Grâce is also named after him. His work helped make linguistic play a cultural touchstone.

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Marc Laurendeau

Marc Laurendeau, a Quebec humorist and journalist, was born on August 24, 1939, in Montreal, Quebec. His public career began with the comedic group Les Cyniques, which he co-founded in the early 1960s alongside Serge Grenier, André Dubois, and Marcel Saint-Germain. The group originated from performances of sketches they created while attending Collège Sainte-Marie and Université de Montréal, initially poking fun at teachers and classmates. Les Cyniques quickly gained popularity, drawing audiences as large as 25,000 to their shows and significantly shaping Quebec humor during the 1960s and early 1970s. Les Cyniques’ career spanned ten years, from their formation in 1962 to their disbandment in 1972. During this time, they performed at venues like the Casa Loma cabaret in Montreal for a month-long engagement in 1965 and released eight successful albums between 1966 and 1972. Their comedy often caused controversy among public officials and politicians. Laurendeau, while with Les Cyniques, earned a law degree and a master's in political science from the Université de Montréal, and participated in extracurricular theater activities at Collège Sainte-Marie, even joining the Revue Bleu et Or troupe while studying law. After leaving the stage at the height of his fame, Laurendeau pursued a journalism career. He began as chief editorial writer for Montr’eal-Matin in 1973 and later contributed as a political columnist and analyst for La Presse. From 1988 to 2010, he hosted a daily press review program on Radio-Canada. He has also taught journalism at the Université de Montréal since 1995. In 2022, he published his memoir, Du rire cynique au regard journalistique . In 2023, Éditions La Presse released a book of 280 pages that Marc Laurendeau wrote and narrates; the audiobook has a runtime of 7 hours and 58 minutes and is suitable for all audiences. He now focuses on creating and writing documentaries, demonstrating his passion for information and history. He has been entertaining audiences for 60 years and was appointed Chevalier of the Ordre national du Qu’éc in 2015. His sister, Huguette Laurendeau, is known as actress Amulette Garneau.

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Maurice LaMarche

Maurice LaMarche is a Canadian voice actor and comedian who was born on March 30, 1958, in Toronto, Ontario. His parents were Guy LaMarche and Linda Bourdon. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Timmins, Ontario, before returning to Toronto when he was approximately four years old. Growing up, he had Mike Myers as a neighbor. He began mimicking celebrities during high school performances, foreshadowing his future career. At age 19, he started performing stand-up comedy in New York City and moved to Los Angeles at 22 to continue pursuing this path. LaMarche’s early career included appearances on television shows like The Merv Griffin Show and An Evening At The Improv. He gained experience opening for established comedians such as Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin, Howie Mandel, David Sanborn, and Donna Summer. In 1985, he participated in the HBO Young Comedians Special alongside Rodney Dangerfield and Bob Saget. However, personal tragedy impacted his comedy career; his father was murdered in 1987, leading to depression and alcoholism. He achieved sobriety on January 20, 1989, but the loss of his sister in a car accident in September 1990 prompted him to retire from stand-up. While he initially pursued stand-up comedy, LaMarche’s career shifted significantly towards voice acting. He began this work as early as 1980 with Canadian TV specials like Easter Fever and Take Me Up to the Ball Game. He voiced characters in The All-Night Show from 1980 to 1981 and later became known for roles such as Chief Quimby on Inspector Gadget (1985-1986), Egon Spengler on The Real Ghostbusters, and most notably, The Brain on Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain. He has voiced dozens of other characters in film, television, and video games, including Popeye, General Patton, and Pépé Le Pew in Space Jam. Eisenman in 1991 and they have a son named Jonathan. He continues to work as a voice actor.

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Tyler Labine

Tyler Labine is a Canadian actor born on April 29, 1978, in Brampton, Ontario. He spent his childhood in Maple Ridge and Vancouver, British Columbia, and has two brothers, Kyle and Cameron Labine, who are also actors. Labine began his acting career at age 16 by participating in local theatre. Before gaining wider recognition, he appeared in minor roles in various television series and films. A notable early role was portraying Little John in 'Robin of Locksley' in 1996. Labine’s career gained momentum with his starring role in the Canadian television series Breaker High from 1997 to an unspecified end date. He subsequently appeared as Dave Groves in the TV series Invasion , and played Bert ‘Sock’ Wysocki in Reaper . His comedic talents have been showcased in several projects, including a lead role in the short-lived Fox comedy Sons of Tucson in 2010, and a co-starring role as Larry Munsch in Mad Love (2011). He is widely recognized for his performance as Dale in the horror-comedy film Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010), which has become a cult classic. Other notable credits include roles in Animal Practice (2012) alongside Justin Kirk and Bobby Lee, and the Hulu show Deadbeat . From 2017 to 2023, Labine played Sherlock Hobbs in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and achieved significant recognition as Dr. Iggy Frome in the series New Amsterdam , which premiered in 2018 and is based on Eric Manheimer’s book ‘Twelve Patients’. His filmography also includes voice work in Monsters University (2013) and roles in Little Evil (2017) and Super Troopers 2 (2018). Labine married Carrie Ruscheinsky on June 2, 2007, and they have three children. In 2023, he faced a serious health challenge, being hospitalized for a potentially fatal blood clot.

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Veronique Cloutier

Véronique Cloutier is a Canadian TV and radio personality, born December 31, 1974, in Laval, Quebec. Born to Guy Cloutier and Carole Fullum, she has a sister named Stéphanie Cloutier. Her nickname is Véro, and she attended pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie and collège Jean-de-Brébeuf while growing up. Cloutier began her television career in 1990 as a cultural columnist on Les mini-stars de Nathalie and also contributed to the summer show Souvenirs d'été . While attending college, she hosted Bonjour Champion on CKAC and worked on CISM-FM’s Virus Chronique . She continued her work in radio with contributions to shows like Top Musique in 1992 and Les Grandes Gueules in 1994. From 1993, she became a VJ at MusiquePlus, hosting programs such as Combat des clips , Le décompte MusiquePlus , and Vox Pop , and also appeared in Ent’Cadieux and a play called Moi, J'décroche Pas . She hosted Le choix de Montréal on CKMF-FM. Her career expanded to include hosting her own program, Véro Show , from 1995 to 1997. She then joined Radio-Canada in August 1997 and hosted La Tête de l'emploi for two years. Cloutier gained significant popularity hosting the game show La Fureur , which drew over 1.2 million viewers weekly, and produced a special edition, La Fureur de Céline , in April 2002. She hosted the Gala de l’ADISQ in 1999 and the Prix Gemeaux in 2008. She also starred in the film Les Dangereux in 2002, and co-hosted the Téléthon de la recherche sur les maladies infantiles for five years. She served as a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mint from 2007 to 2010 and hosted Radio-Canada’s Bye Bye New Year's special in 2008, which garnered over 1,300 complaints. Cloutier retired from public life at the end of the fifth season of La Fureur in 2003 but returned with Paquet Voleur in 2007. She has three children: Delphine, Raphaelle, and Justin, and her husband is comedian Louis Morissette. She took over and ran her family's communications company, renaming it Novem, in 2004, before selling her shares in August 2009. The National Order of Quebec bestowed upon her the rank of knight in 2024.

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Yvon Deschamps

Yvon Deschamps was born on July 31, 1935, in Montreal, Quebec. His early career involved working at Radio-Canada's television service and studying acting privately with François Rozet for over three years. Deschamps began performing on stage at the age of 22, debuting as Pylade in 'Andromaque' in 1957. He also spent time with La Roulotte, a travelling children's theatre, in 1958 and 1959, and appeared in several Radio-Canada programs like 'The Big Search' and 'Picolo'. His professional life took a significant turn when he befriended Claude Léveillée in 1961, briefly playing drums for him and forming a company with Léveillée at the Théâtre de Quat’Sous in 1963. Deschamps also ventured into the restaurant business, opening Le Fournil in 1964 and Saint-Amable in 1966, although these businesses did not succeed after Expo 67. He had his first film role in 'Deliver Us from Evil' in 1965, released in 1969. In 1968, he created 'L’Osstidcho', a musical review that marked a pivotal moment in his career and established his signature style. The character of the ‘good boss’ first appeared in this show. Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Deschamps continued to present numerous shows including 'L'argent', 'Le bonheur', 'Dans ma cour', and 'On va s'en sortir'. He appeared in films like 'Hold on to Daddy's Ears' in 1971 and hosted the popular television show 'Samedi de rire'. Between 1968 and 2010, he created approximately 100 monologues addressing societal issues such as racism, sexism, and prejudice. Yvon Deschamps became involved in charitable organizations supporting various causes. In 2001, he purchased Charlie Chaplin's last car, reflecting his admiration for the comedian who served as his mentor.

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