Murray Westgate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Murray Westgate
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Born | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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April 16, 1918
Died | August 27, 2018 |
(aged 100)
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1940s–1991 |
Spouse(s) | Alice Hill (? - 1983) |
Murray Westgate (born April 16, 1918 – died August 27, 2018) was a famous Canadian actor. He was best known for appearing in TV commercials for Esso gasoline. These ads were shown during Hockey Night in Canada in the 1950s and 1960s. He also acted in movies like Blue City Slammers and Two Solitudes. For Blue City Slammers, he was even nominated for a Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor.
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Early Life and Military Service
Before he became an actor, Murray Westgate served his country. He was a radio operator in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. After the war, he moved to Vancouver. There, he joined a theater group called Everyman Theatre. Later, he started acting in radio plays for CBC Radio.
Acting Career Highlights
Murray Westgate started appearing in Esso commercials in 1952. Esso was the main sponsor for Hockey Night in Canada. He played the role of an Esso gas station attendant until 1968. Many people recognized him from these popular commercials.
Television and Film Roles
Besides commercials, Westgate acted in several TV shows. These included Jake and the Kid, R.C.M.P., and Seaway. He also had parts in movies. Sometimes, it was hard for him to get other roles because he was so well-known as the Esso attendant. This is called being typecast. In 1979, he won an ACTRA Award for his acting in the CBC Television film Tyler.
Awards and Final Role
In 2002, Murray Westgate was honored. He was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. His last acting job was in 1991. He was 72 years old. He played his famous Esso attendant character again for two new commercials. These ads were shown during the Stanley Cup playoffs. They even included old black-and-white clips from his original Esso ads.
Later Life and Passing
Murray Westgate lived a long life. He turned 100 years old on April 16, 2018. He passed away on August 27, 2018. He died at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto. He had lived there for over ten years.
Personal Life
Murray Westgate was married to an actress named Alice Hill. She passed away in 1983.
Filmography
Here are some of the movies Murray Westgate appeared in:
Year | Title | Role |
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1957 | A Dangerous Age | Police Officer |
1959 | A Cool Sound from Hell | Police Officer |
1961 | Jake and the Kid | Jake |
1969 | The First Time | Customs Officer |
1969 | Change of Mind | Judge Stanton |
1970 | Homer | Mr. Cochran |
1972 | The Rowdyman | Mr. Lowe |
1973 | Class of '44 | Principal |
1973 | Our Ms. Hammond | |
1974 | To Kill the King | Vincent O'Connell |
1974 | Sunday in the Country | Conway |
1977 | Rituals | Pilot |
1978 | Two Solitudes | Prime Minister |
1978 | Tyler | |
1979 | Running | Mr. Finlay |
1979 | Fish Hawk | Billie Firman |
1979 | Bye, See You Monday | Pere de Lucie |
1980 | The Kidnapping of the President | Archie Standler |
1981 | Happy Birthday to Me | Gatekeeper |
1981 | Threshold | Lecture Host |
1981 | Silence of the North | Dr. Miller |
1984 | Heavenly Bodies | Coach Hudson |
1988 | Blue City Slammers | Bill |
1991 | Scanners II: The New Order | George Kellum |