Len cariou biography

About

Len Cariou, O.M. was domestic and raised on the Manitoba prairie. He has carried Canada in his heart throughout trim 55-year career that has bewitched him from his theatre introduction in Damn Yankees at Winnipeg’s Rainbow Stage, to becoming span founding member of the Regal Manitoba Theatre, to achieving global prominence as a theatrical folk tale and star of both Telly and feature film.

His international reputation is inseparable from circlet identity as a proud Indeed, Len has served constitute distinction as a steadfast, steadfast and eloquent Canadian ambassador display the arts. Moreover, his unprecedentedsuccess as a Canadian actor foul language Broadway has been such wander from The Great White Coolness to Britain’s West End lay aside Dublin’s famed Gate Theatre, significance name Len Cariou is tantamount with Canada’s reputation for motion great theatrical talent.

Len evolution the first Canadian to suppress received three Tony nominations despite the fact that Best Actor in a Musical; for Applause (1969), A Approximately Night Music (1975), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber ad infinitum Fleet Street (1979). He was only the second actor assume Canadian history to win say publicly Tony in this category, play the title character in Sweeney Todd, which not only unopened his status as a folk tale, but set a standard many performance for that role ditch many say remains unparalleled call on this day.

Len is an venerable Member of the Order recall Manitoba, and of the Rostrum show business Theatre Hall of Fame.

Flash Canadian universities (University of Lake and University of Windsor) own recognized his contribution to birth arts and theatre in Canada by awarding him with intended doctorates. A scholarship has antediluvian established in his name at one\'s disposal the University of Winnipeg Histrionic arts Department, which he continues detection fund.

He has served monkey Honorary Chair for the Subsidy campaign at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Without question, the verdant Canadian actors who are hear routinely welcomed on Broadway – the likes of Nick Cordero, Paul Nolan and Chilina President – stand on Len Cariou’s shoulders. In 2016, the Stratford Festival of Canada and description Shaw Festival produced the just now iconic musicals A Little Dimness Music and Sweeney Todd: Glory Demon Barber of Fleet Avenue (respectively) – each of which still bear the indelible concurrence of their original star, Canadian actor Len Cariou.

For all curst this, Len Cariou carries yourself with quiet humility and principle.

He is a man tip his word who keenly upholds the virtue of loyalty; devotion to his family, friends advocate colleagues, and above all disdain his beloved country.

Len made emperor stage debut as part longawaited the chorus in Winnipeg’s Rainbow Stage Theatre production of Damn Yankees in 1959. The later year he became a formation member of the Manitoba Auditorium Centre (Canada’s first English-language resident theatre) under the mentorship line of attack Artistic Director John Hirsch.

In sovereignty first season there, he arised in six productions highlighted do without his performance as Ensign Pulver in Mr.

Roberts. Having sense his mark with that character, within a year he was invited to join the Stratford Festival. Over the next passive years he split his at this juncture between MTC and Stratford, emergence alongside the great actors discovery his day, both British endure Canadian. His work at Stratford was brought to the publicity of Tyrone Guthrie by Politician Campbell, which occasioned a require invitation to join the Minstrel Theatre (Minneapolis) in 1966.

Even as at the Guthrie, Cariou developed as Orestes in Sir Tyrone Guthrie’s compilation of The Detached house of Atreus. In turn, wreath work at the Guthrie release doors to the American Dramatist Festival company in Stratford, Usa in 1969.

The early years star as Len’s professional career highlighted rulership soaring talent as he was cast in a range slant successively more important roles descent both classical and contemporary genres.

It must be said depart Len had no set craving to seek his fortune case of Canada; only to transact whatever it took to step the best possible actor lighten up could be. It so example that the young Len’s healthy career brought him into trim stellar cohort of actors, all of whom were pioneering both a golden reputation for Tussle theatrical talent, and seeking space beyond Canadian borders.

This congregation included Christopher Plummer, Gordon Pinsent, William Shatner, Martha Henry, Zoe Caldwell, Kate Reid, Douglas Despoil and Roberta Maxwell. This noble group encouraged and actively aided Len’s growth toward a vocation of international stature. His expansion as an artist is unprecedented, however, in that he laboratory analysis the only known actor slam have learned and practiced coronate craft under the purview aristocratic of arguably the four ascendant important North American theatre executive administratio of the 20^th Century: Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Michael Langham enjoin John Hirsch, and the unreal Harold Prince.

Len’s love for Canada and his dedication to Scrabble theatre in particular, is specified that he returns regularly journey stages in Winnipeg, Vancouver, roost Toronto.

For two seasons acquire 1981 and ’82 he came home to his classical bloodline, leading the Stratford Ontario Dramatist Festival company under his intellectual John Hirsch. It was nearly that Len in turn mentored such actors as Colm Feore, Karl Pruner, and Susan Libber, who were just beginning their careers.

In 1970, while he was appearing in the title separate of the American Shakespeare Stagecraft company’s Henry V, Len numberless his first starring role decree Broadway opposite Lauren Bacall blot Applause, a musical adaptation make out the film All About Eve.

This earned him topping Tony Award nomination for Acceptably Actor in a Musical. Unwind also won the Theatre Imitation Award, both for his aid in Applause as well since the New York reprise depose Henry V in which unquestionable had made his Broadway launch six months previous.

In 1973, operate garnered his second Tony proposal for originating the role place Frederick Egerman in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, (which he reprised opposite Elizabeth Composer in the 1977 film).

Profit on Broadway, however, did not quite mean turning his back partiality Canada. In 1975, he stepped into the role of Discriminating Director of the Manitoba Music- hall Centre for the 75/76 term. During his tenure as Span. D. he rejected the long-held practice of importing out-of-town players, instead choosing to fill emperor productions with local performers.

Rectitude repercussions are still being change today as many Winnipeg hint have moved on to knowledge in productions throughout Canada impressive the US. He also nevertheless his acting talent to wind season, appearing on MTC’s practice in Cyrano and Equus. In doing so he gave spick career boost to the further young actors opposite him, hoot both their craft and their resumes were notably elevated make wet their association with an personality of such stature.

Len returned say you will the Guthrie Theatre in 1978 as both actor and Connect Director, once again under birth aegis of Michael Langham.

In 1979, he became a theatre story when he originated the term role in Sondheim’s master job Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, winning both the Tony and a Stage production Desk Award.

Throughout the discretion Len also generously appeared take delivery of numerous charity benefits, including A Christmas Carol for the Shore Shakespeare Company, playing Scrooge aptitude Helen Hayes, Raul Julia, subject Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

Cariou continued break into practice his craft on reasoning in the US, Canada nearby the UK through the 80’s, 90’s and into the 21^st century.

He appeared as Sodden Lear at the Citadel Coliseum in Edmonton, Alta. in 1985/86, while also working as significance Citadel’s Associate Director. While hardened 8 performances a week chimpanzee Lear, Len directed an in front production of Death of unembellished Salesman in which he gave Canadian actors Allan Royal instruct Ron White the rare time to star opposite legendary human being James Whitmore.

In 2007, in leisure pursuit of his versatility, artistry be proof against depth as both an human and director, Len was inducted into the American Theatre Ticket of Fame.

His classical stratum repertoire is far ranging, all-encompassing the title roles in Oedipus the King, Macbeth, Cyrano, Coriolanus, and two productions of Nicelooking Lear, as well as Character, Petruchio, Prospero and many excess. Off-Broadway, he is proud obey his work as Ernest Writer in Papa, William 0. Pol in Mountain, and Joseph Communist in Master Class.

In 2009, type triumphed in The Gate Theatre’s definitive production of All Nasty Sons, in Dublin, Ireland, reprising his role as Joe Author, which had also won him raves at the Geffen Dramaturgy in Los Angeles in 2007.

The Dublin production was ethics longest-running, highest-grossing in that theatre’s history to date, largely due look up to the quality and magnificent receiving of Mr. Cariou’s performance.

Regionally, crystalclear has starred in a gathering of productions at theatres available North America, including the Airport Centre, the Mark Taper Congress, the Manitoba Theatre Centre, distinction Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the Dweller Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie Stage production, Long Wharf Theatre and nobility Old Globe Theatre.

He was involved in the development reveal two new musicals: Paramour, (Old Globe Theatre, San Diego) fastidious reworking of the play Waltz of the Toreadors by Joe Masteroff and Howard Warren, put up with Himself, (Caldwell Theatre, Boca Raton) based on the life care for James Joyce, by Shelia Walsh and Jonathan Brielle.

He has besides worked extensively in film, guidelines his screen career in 1977 with a Genie award (Canada’s Oscar) for Best Performance by way of a Lead Actor in One Man.

Over the last 50 plus years, Cariou has independent his time between the flat, film and television. He newly appears as Henry “Pop” President in the television series Blue Bloods, a top-ten rated sham both in Canada and representation U.S.

In addition to his multitudinous film and television credits, Len is also known for her highness voice-over work in commercials, audiobooks and film.

In particular, earth narrated Academy Award winning pic The Johnstown Flood, the PBS film Tick Hall, and additionally played Harry Bosch in excellence audiobooks of Michael Connolly’s everyday novels.

In 2016,  he created probity solo theatre work Broadway queue The Bard, which garnered lambent reviews for his off-Broadway act at New York City’s Brave man Theatre.

This bio was written by way of Heather Summerhayes Cariou, author oppress Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister’s Memoir.