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Wendy Crewson
WendyCrewsonTIFFSept2011.jpg
Crewson in 2011
Born
Wendy Jane Crewson

(1956-05-09) May 9, 1956 (age 68)
Occupation Actress, producer
Years active 1980–present
Spouse(s)
(m. 1988; div. 2009)
Children 2

Wendy Jane Crewson (born May 9, 1956) is a Canadian actress and producer. She began her career appearing on Canadian television, before her breakthrough role in 1991 dramatic film The Doctor.

Crewson has appeared in many Hollywood films, including The Good Son (1993), The Santa Clause (1994) and its sequels The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006), as well as Air Force One (1997), Bicentennial Man (1999), What Lies Beneath (2000), The 6th Day (2000), The Covenant (2006) and Eight Below (2006). She also starred in a number of independent movies, such as Better Than Chocolate (1999), Perfect Pie (2002), Away from Her (2006), Into the Forest (2015) and Room (2015).

Crewson has won six Gemini Awards, two Canadian Screen Awards and ACTRA Award for her performances on television. She played leading roles in a number of television films, include playing Joanne Kilbourn in six movies based on novels by Gail Bowen. She had recurring roles on American television series 24 and Revenge, and the Canadian television series Frankie Drake Mysteries. From 2012 to 2017, Crewson co-starred in the CTV medical drama Saving Hope.

Early life

Crewson was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the daughter of June Doreen (née Thomas) and Robert Binnie Crewson. She attended John Rennie High School in Pointe Claire, Québec, as did her younger brother, Brad Crewson.

She attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where she won the Lorne Greene Award for outstanding work in the theater. She then studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

WendyCrewson06TIFF
Crewson at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival

Career

When she returned to Canada, Crewson landed a leading role in the television movie War Brides (1980) directed by Martin Lavut, for which she received her first ACTRA Award nomination. From 1980 to 1983, she starred in the CBC drama series, Home Fires, a family saga set in Toronto during World War II. For the final season, she won ACTRA Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 1984. In 1982, she made her American debut starring alongside Tom Hanks in the television drama film Mazes and Monsters.

During 1980s, Crewson appeared in a number of Canadian television productions, including a recurring roles on Night Heat and Street Legal, and several television films. She was lead actress in two short lived American drama series: Hard Copy (CBS, 1987), and Studio 5-B (ABC, 1989). In 1988, she starred in the HBO political mockumentary miniseriesTanner '88 directed by Robert Altman, and in 1990 starred in Getting Married in Buffalo Jump, for which she was nominated for Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series. She also received Gemini Awards nomination for I'll Never Get to Heaven (1992), A Killing Spring (2002), The Robber Bride (2007), and The Summit (2008), and won for At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story (1999), The Many Trials of One Jane Doe (2002), and The Man Who Lost Himself (2005). Crewson also won Gemini Awards for guest starring in Due South in 1998, and supporting role in ReGenesis in 2007.

In 1991, Crewson appeared in her first breakthrough role in the American drama film The Doctor starring William Hurt. The following year, she starred opposite Tom Selleck in the comedy-drama Folks!, the film was panned by critics and grossed only $6 million. In 1993, she starred in the psychological thriller The Good Son (1993), and in 1994 appeared opposite Whoopi Goldberg in Corrina, Corrina. Also in 1994, Crewson starred alongside Tim Allen in the financially successful Christmas comedy film The Santa Clause. The film grossed $189 million and its two sequels, The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006) also grossed $283 million worldwide together.

In 1996, Crewson co-starred in the romantic drama film To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday as Peter Gallagher's unfortunate blind date, and the following year played Grace Marshall, First Lady to President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) in the political thriller Air Force One directed by Wolfgang Petersen. She also appeared in Gang Related (1997), played a leading role in Sleeping Dogs Lie (1998), and co-starred opposite Robin Williams in the science fiction film Bicentennial Man (1999). In 2000, she played Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife in The 6th Day, and appeared in What Lies Beneath. She also appeared in Between Strangers (2002), The Clearing (2004), Eight Below (2006), The Covenant (2006), Academy Award-nominated Away from Her (2006), The Seeker (2007), Winnie Mandela (2011), Antiviral (2012), Into the Forest, Room (2015), and Kodachrome (2017).

Crewson starred in independent movie Better Than Chocolate (1999), directed by Anne Wheeler. In 2002, she starred in drama film Perfect Pie, for which she received ACTRA Award nomination. She had leading roles in a number of made for television movies. She starred opposite Robert Urich in Lifetime movies Spenser: The Judas Goat (1994) and Spenser: A Savage Place(1995), and opposite Susan Lucci in Ebbie (1995). In 1998, she played Faye Stafford, wife of Thomas Stafford, in the Sally Field-directed episode of HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. Other credits including Lives of Girls & Women (1996), Summer's End (1999), The Matthew Shepard Story (2002), An Unexpected Love (2003), Twelve Mile Road (2003), and The Path to 9/11 (2006). From 2000 to 2002, she played Joanne Kilbourn, a single mom of three and an ex-cop who teaches criminology and solves crimes in her spare time, in six movies based on novels by Gail Bowen.

In 2003, Crewson took a recurring role as Dr. Anne Packard, personal physician and love interest to the President, of the third season of Fox drama series 24. From 2006 to 2010, she hosted W Network series Crimes of Passion, and from 2007 to 2008 starred on the Canadian science-fiction series ReGenesis as Dr. Rachel Woods. She later guest-starred on Flashpoint, Rookie Blue, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Murdoch Mysteries. From 2012 to 2013, she had a recurring role during the second season of ABC primetime soap opera Revenge playing villainous Helen Crowley. Also in 2012, Crewson began playing Dr. Dana Kinny in the CTV medical drama Saving Hope, for which she received Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Program or Series in 2013. The series ended in 2017. Also in 2017, she won another Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress for her recurring role on Slasher.

Wendy Crewson at the 2016 CFC Annual Gala & Auction (24722770541)
Crewson at the 2016 CFC Annual Gala & Auction

In 2015, Crewson was inducted to Canada's Walk of Fame. In 2016, she received the Earle Grey Award, which recognizes actors for their contributions to the international profile of Canadian TV or for their significant body of work.

From 2017 to 2021, Crewson played a recurring role lead character's mother and assisting her in investigations in the CBC drama series, Frankie Drake Mysteries. She received two nominations for Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Performance, Drama Series. Also that time, she had a recurring role on the CBC sitcom Workin' Moms, receiving another Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2020. In 2018, she starred in the CTV crime drama series, The Detail, for which she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role. In 2019, she starred in the Hallmark series When Hope Calls, and in 2020 starred in the Netflix horror series October Faction. In 2021, she starred in the second season of Peacock series Departure, and in 2022 starred as title character' mother in the CBS medical drama Good Sam. She later was cast in the third season of CBC Television police drama Pretty Hard Cases and the internationally produced thriller Gray.

Personal life

She married actor Michael Murphy in 1988, and they have two children. They divorced in January 2009, but remain friends and worked together on the film Fall (2014).

Crewson came out publicly as lesbian in December 2014, and revealed to the press that she had come out to her family years earlier. In 2015, it was reported that Crewson was in a relationship with Julie Bristow, president of Bristow Global Media in Canada.

She resides in Rosedale, Toronto.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1983 Skullduggery Barbara / Dorigen
1986 Whodunit? Elizabeth
Mark of Cain Dale
1991 The Doctor Dr. Leslie Abbott
1992 Folks! Audrey Aldrich
1993 The Good Son Susan Evans
1994 Corrina, Corrina Jenny Davis
The Santa Clause Laura Calvin Miller
1996 To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday Kevin Dollof
1997 Air Force One First Lady Grace Marshall
Gang Related District Attorney Helen Eden
The Eighteenth Angel Norah Stanton
1998 Where's Marlowe? Dr. Ninki Bregman
Sleeping Dogs Lie Theresa Small
1999 Better Than Chocolate Lila
Question of Privilege Gail Sterling
Escape Velocity Billie
Bicentennial Man Rachel "Ma'am" Martin
2000 Mercy Bernadine Mello
What Lies Beneath Elena
The 6th Day Natalie Gibson
2002 Between Strangers Amanda Trent
Perfect Pie Patsy Willets Nominated — ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance - Female
The Santa Clause 2 Laura Calvin Miller
2004 The Clearing Louise Miller
A Home at the End of the World Isabel Morrow
2005 Niagara Motel Lily
2006 Eight Below Eve McClaren
The Covenant Evelyn Danvers
Away from Her Madeleine Montpellier
Who Loves the Sun Mary Bloom
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Laura Calvin Miller
2007 The Seeker Mary Stanton
2009 Formosa Betrayed Susan Kane
2010 A Beginner's Guide to Endings Goldie White
2011 Winnie Mandela Mary Botha
2012 The Vow Dr. Fishman
Antiviral Mira Tesser
2014 Fall Sheila
2015 Into the Forest Mom
Room Talk Show Hostess
2018 Death Wish Dr. Jill Klavens
Kodachrome Aunt Sarah
2019 From the Vine Marina Gentile
2020 The Nest Allison's Mum
The Kid Detective Mrs. Applebaum
2023 Backspot
2023 Close to You

Television films

Year Title Role Notes
1980 War Brides Kate Nominated — ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance - Female
1982 Mazes and Monsters Kate Finch
1984 Heartsounds Judy
1984 The Guardian Marlee Kramer
1985 Murder in Space Irene Tremayne
1985 Murder: By Reason of Insanity Irene Tremayne
1985 My Father, My Rival Hilah
1986 Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star Michelle Benti
1987 A Hobo's Christmas Laurie
1987 Covert Action Jessica
1990 Getting Married in Buffalo Jump Sophie Ware Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
1992 I'll Never Get to Heaven Cassie Stewart Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
1994 To Save the Children Dorsie Young
1994 Lives of Girls & Women Ada Jordan
1994 Frostfire Victoria Renko
1994 Spenser: The Judas Goat Susan Silverman
1995 Spenser: A Savage Place Susan Silverman
1995 Ebbie Roberta "Robbie" Cratchet
1998 At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story Sue Rodriguez Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
1999 Summer's End Virginia Baldwin
2000 Love and Murder Joanne Kilbourn
2000 Deadly Appearances Joanne Kilbourn
2001 The Wandering Soul Murders Joanne Kilbourn
2001 A Colder Kind of Death Joanne Kilbourn
2001 The Last Brickmaker in America Karen
2002 The Many Trials of One Jane Doe Jane Doe
2002 A Killing Spring Joanne Kilbourn Also associate producer
Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
2002 Verdict in Blood Joanne Kilbourn Also associate producer
2002 The Matthew Shepard Story Sarah
2002 The Elfkins First Christmas Grazellda Voice role
2003 An Unexpected Love McNally "Mac" Hays
2003 The Many Trials of One Jane Doe Jane Doe Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
2003 The Piano Man's Daughter Ede Kilworth
2003 Twelve Mile Road Angela Landis
2004 Jack Elaine Burka
2005 Hunt for Justice [de] Louise Arbour
2005 The Man Who Lost Himself Lorraine Evanshen Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
Nominated — ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance - Female
2007 The Robber Bride Roz Andrews Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
2013 Jack Anne McGrath
2021 Under the Christmas Tree Isabella Beltran

Television series

Year Title Role Notes
1980-1983 Home Fires Terry Main role
ACTRA Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series (1984)
1981 The Littlest Hobo Jenny Episode "The Locket"
1982 Hangin' In Hilary "Barnum and Baby"
1985 Night Heat Prosecutor Dorothy Fredericks Recurring role, 6 episodes
1986 Adderly Marge Episode: "Critical Mass"
1987 Hard Copy Blake Calisher Series regular, 6 episodes
1987 CBS Summer Playhouse Dana Episode: "In the Lion's Den"
1988 Tanner '88 Joanna Buckley Miniseries
1989 Studio 5-B Gail Browning Series regular, 10 episodes
1990 Street Legal Wendy Nelson Recurring role, 3 episodes
1997 Due South Janet Morse Episode: "The Bounty Hunter"
Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series
1997 Black Harbour Carolyn Bedford Episodes: "Love's Labours Lost", "High Noon"
1998 From the Earth to the Moon Faye Stafford Episode: "The Original Wives Club"
2001 The Beast Maggie Steech Recurring role. 6 episodes
2003 24 Dr. Anne Packard Recurring role, 8 episodes
2006 The Path to 9/11 Valerie James Miniseries
2007-2008 ReGenesis Rachel Woods Series regular, 24 episodes
Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series (2007)
Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series (2008)
2008 The Summit Ellie Bruckner Miniseries
Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
2009 Flashpoint Catherine Graham Episode: "Eagle Two"
2010 The Bridge Mayor Kennedy Recurring role, 4 episodes
2010 Rookie Blue Dana Kennedy Episode: "In Blue"
2011 Endgame Vivian Huxley Episode: "The White Queen"
2011 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Judy Robbins Episode: "Genetic Disorder"
2012 Alcatraz Helen Campbell Episode: "Sonny Burnett"
2012 Fairly Legal Warden Sara Wilkes Episode: "Ripple of Hope"
2012-2013 Revenge Helen Crowley Recurring role, 9 episodes
2012–2017 Saving Hope Dr. Dana Kinney Series regular, 41 episodes
Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Program or Series (2013)
2014 Murdoch Mysteries Cassie Chadwick Episode: "The Murdoch Sting"
2014 Working the Engels Mrs. Guernsey Episodes: "Maid Amends", "Jenna vs. Big Pastry Part II"
2014 Ascension Katherine Warren Miniseries
2015 We Are Disorderly Judy Episode: "Our Leather Jackets"
2015 Defiance Silora Voske Episode: "When Twilight Dims the Sky Above"
2015 Beauty & the Beast Helen Ellingsworth Episodes: "Unbreakable", "Sins of the Fathers"
2015 Forgive Me Celeste Episodes: "Full of Grace", "Amongst Women", "Pray for Us Sinners"
2016 Slasher Brenda Merritt Series regular, 2 episodes
Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Program or Series
2017–2018 The Son Ingrid 2 episodes
2017–2019 Workin' Moms Victoria Stromanger 4 episodes
Nominated — Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Performance, Comedy (2020)
2017 Good Witch Olympia Episode: "Not Getting Married Today, Part 2"
2017–2021 Frankie Drake Mysteries Nora Drake Recurring role, 13 episodes
Nominated — Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Performance, Drama Series (2021–22)
2018 The Detail Fiona Currie Series regular, 10 episodes
Nominated — Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
2019, 2021 When Hope Calls Tess Stewart Series regular; 12 episodes
2020 October Faction Maggie Allen Series regular, 10 episodes
2021 Superman & Lois Dr. Wiles Episode: "Holding the Wrench"
2021 Titans Valeska Nox 2 episodes
2022 Departure Diana Bright Series regular, 6 episodes
Nominated — Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Drama Program or Series
2022 Good Sam Vivian Katz Series regular, 13 episodes
2023 Pretty Hard Cases UC Gloria Ballard Series regular
2023 Gray Gold Series regular

See also

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