Sheila McCarthy

Sheila McCarthy, born on January 1, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario, is a celebrated Canadian actress and singer, who has made significant contributions to film, television, and stage performances. Recognised as one of Canada's most honoured actors, McCarthy's repertoire of awards includes two Genie Awards for film, two Gemini Awards for television, an ACTRA Award, two Dora Awards for theatre, and multiple nominations. She began her life on stage at Toronto's Elgin Theatre, where she first performed in Peter Pan at the age of six. Her passion for the performing arts grew, leading her to study at the University of Victoria and to further her education with Uta Hagen at her HB Studio in New York City and the Second City troupe in Toronto.

After building her skills with multiple years of television work, McCarthy's breakthrough came with the television movie A Nest of Singing Birds, resulting in a Gemini Award nomination for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Dramatic Program. She gained significant fame for her portrayal of Polly in Patricia Rozema's I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, which won her the Genie Award for Best Actress. The film was a huge success in Canada and internationally. McCarthy continued to distinguish herself by ensemble roles in popular television series like Little Mosque on the Prairie and Orphan Black. She is also recognized for her voice-over performances in Free Willy, The Neverending Story, and Bad Dog among others. On stage, she has been part of several engaging productions, including Little Shop of Horrors, Hamlet, and Guys and Dolls. Beyond acting, McCarthy is a spokesperson for The Quilt Project and Canadian Feed the Children, demonstrating her dedication to community service.