Arlene Duncan facts for kids

Arlene Duncan is a talented Canadian actress and singer. She has appeared in over 80 movies and TV shows. Many people know her as Fatima, the friendly diner owner on the CBC comedy show Little Mosque on the Prairie. Arlene's father was African Canadian, and his family has lived in Canada for many generations.

Arlene Duncan's Early Life and Family History

Arlene Duncan was born in Oakville, Ontario. Her father, Alvin Aberdeen Duncan, was a veteran of World War II. Her mother, Icilda, was from Jamaica.

A Family's Journey to Canada

Arlene's father's family has been in Canada for five generations! Her great-great-grandfather, Samuel Adams, moved to Canada in 1855. Her great-grand-father, Benedict Duncan, was a slave who escaped from Maryland using the Underground Railroad. He found freedom in Oakville and became a sexton (a church helper).

Family's Community Involvement

The Duncan family has always been very involved in the Black community in Oakville. Arlene's great-grandfather, Jeremiah Adams, took care of the grounds at Turner Chapel (Oakville). Her father, Alvin, was known as Oakville's Black historian until he passed away in 2009. Arlene's mother also started the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton. Did you know that Canadian Olympic sprinter Donovan Bailey is Arlene Duncan's half-brother?

School Days and Early Talents

Arlene went to T. A. Blakelock High School in Oakville. She loved drama and played in the student band. After high school, she studied musical theatre at Sheridan College. Arlene even won a contest called Search for Stars. She then represented Canada at the Pacific Song Contest in 1979.

Arlene Duncan's Career in Music and Acting

Arlene Duncan has had a long and exciting career in both music and acting.

Singing Career and Awards

In 1982, Arlene released her first song, "I Wanna Grove". This song helped her win the Female Vocalist of the Year Award in 1983. She also performed under the name Kairene. As Kairene, she released the song "I Need a Man" in 1993. You might have also heard her voice in commercials! She sang jingles for big companies like McDonald's, Pepsi, and Toyota. In 1994, she won an award for her great work in dance and house music.

Theatre Performances and Awards

Arlene loves performing on stage. She has been in many plays and musicals. Some of her theatre roles include Sophisticated Ladies, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, and Once on This Island. She also performed in A Raisin in the Sun and Ain't Misbehavin'.

In 2012, Arlene won a special award called the Dora Mavor Moore Award. She won it for her amazing performance as Caroline in the musical Caroline, or Change. She also won a Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the same role.

Movies and Television Roles

Arlene Duncan has been in many popular movies and TV shows. Her most famous role is Fatima Dinssa, the café owner on the CBC Television series Little Mosque on the Prairie.

She also played a very important historical figure, Harriet Tubman, in the CBC TV special All for One. For this role, she won an ACTRA Award. She played Harriet Tubman again in 1995 in "Sing Out, Freedom Train."

More recently, you might have seen her in shows like Degrassi: The Next Generation and Suits. She was also in the movie A Dog's Journey. One of her recent big roles is Velma Diggs in the CBC TV series Diggstown.

Arlene has said that famous singers like Diana Ross, Salome Bey, and Melba Moore have inspired her.

Arlene Duncan's Work in Film

Arlene Duncan has appeared in many films. Here are some of them:

• 1979: An American Christmas Carol as Jennie Reeves
• 1988: All for One as Harriet Tubman
• 1995: Sing Out Freedom Train as Harriet Tubman
• 2000: Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble as Harriet
• 2001: Don't Say a Word as Aide
• 2005: Get Rich or Die Tryin as Judge
• 2012: Silent Hill: Revelation as Teacher
• 2019: A Dog's Journey as Hilda

Arlene Duncan's Work in Television

Arlene has also been in many TV series. Here are some of her roles:

• 1997–2004: Franklin as Officer Rabbit
• 2005–2008: Degrassi: The Next Generation as Mrs. Van Zandt (4 Episodes)
• 2007–2012: Little Mosque on the Prairie as Fatima Dinssa (91 Episodes)
• 2015: Suits as Emma Powell (2 Episodes)
• 2019–2020: Diggstown as Velma Diggs (6 Episodes)
• 2024: The Spiderwick Chronicles as Melvina (1 Episode)

Arlene Duncan's Work in Theatre

Here are some of the theatre productions Arlene has been a part of:

• 1987: Sophisticated Ladies
• 1997: Ain't Misbehavin
• 1999: The Nutmeg Princess as Nutmeg Princess
• 2011–2012: Caroline, or Change as Caroline (Won Dora Mavor Moore Award for Performance)
• 2014: Once on This Island as Mama Euralie