Canada Quiz: From Comedians to Sports Stars, Can You Name All of These Famous Canadians?
Written by Jessica Holom
Last updated · 9 min play time
Do you know which famous celebrities and sports stars are from Canada? Name all the most popular Canucks with this Famous Canadians Quiz!
From Justin Trudeau to Celine Dion to all the world's best Ryans, Canada has many famous exports and national celebrities. Whether it's your sports stars, like "the Great One," or your legendary musicians, like "The Godfather of Grunge," Canadians have contributed an enormous amount of talent into worlds of sports, politics, literature, entertainment, and more.
What Canadian celebrities and superstars do you know? Take this Famous Canadian Quiz to see whether your Canadian-radar needs to be retuned.
Test your Entertainment Knowledge
"Canada was built on dead beavers." – Margaret Atwood
It was also built on Canadian talent and tenacity. From Martin Short to Joni Mitchell, Canada has an overwhelming supply of amazing humans. Can you name the famous Canadians who have made Canada so great? Take our Famous Canadians Quiz to see who you knew was Canadian, and who you assumed was American.
Which Canadian actor is considered one of the nicest guys in Hollywood? What Canadian writer wrote The Handmaid's Tale? Which Canadian Olympic star was once the world's fastest man? If you know the answers to all these questions and more, then test your knowledge.
Do you think you know your Canadians? Then, take our Famous Canadians Quiz and name that famous Canuck.
Try all of our Entertainment Quizzes
Steve Martin once said, "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot."
Whether you're pure art or pure entertainment, look no further than our entertainment collection of quizzes. From celebrities to films to television and more, our entertainment section navigates the entertainment that aspires to be art and that which really doesn't.
Are you a fan of Broadway theatre? Then take our Broadway Quiz to see what you know about Broadway's biggest shows! Is fashion more your thing? Strut down the catwalk with this Fashion Icons Quiz. Whatever it is you find entertaining, we've got some trivia to satisfy your obsession!
Quiz written by
Jessica HolomJessica Holom is a freelance writer and digital nomad with a background in literature, art, and writing. She believes curiosity never killed a single cat and enjoys learning, world-exploring, and writing about both.
Famous Canadians Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 196 Plays · No comments
Question 1
If you're a "trekkie," you probably know this Canadian actor for his role as Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek franchise.
-
AWilliam Shatner
-
BWill Arnett
-
CChristopher Plummer
-
DLeslie Nielsen
William Shatner
Suffice it to say, William Shatner made his mark on sci-fi with his portrayal of the Captain leading his crew to "boldly go where no man has gone before". He later appeared in the series <i>Boston Legal</i> and </i>The Practice</i>, and who could forget his early '90s hosting role for the reenactment show, <i>Rescue 911</i>.
Question 2
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take." Perhaps the most popular hockey star of all time, who is "The Great One"?
-
AMario Lemieux
-
BGordie Howe
-
CWayne Gretzky
-
DLionel Conacher
Wayne Gretzky
What would hockey be without Wayne Gretzky? "The Great One" played as center for the Edmonton Oilers, where he set records in assists, goals, and all-time career points (2,857). He even served as Olympic coach for the Canadian hockey team in 2002. Surprise – they took home the gold!
Question 3
Known for his TV show, The Nature of Things, this Canadian scientist is an outspoken climate activist.
-
ADavid Suzuki
-
BMichio Kaku
-
CNeil deGrasse Tyson
-
DCarl Sagan
David Suzuki
Dr. David Suzuki launched to fame in Canada in the late '70s, due to his popular nature show and his activism for environmental issues. His progressive ideology doesn't stop at science; he's also a proponent for issues like economic inequality.
Question 4
"'Cause if you like the way you look that much, Oh baby, you should go and love yourself." Who is this teen heartthrob?
-
ANick Jonas
-
BShawn Mendes
-
CKhalid
-
DJustin Bieber
Justin Bieber
"The Biebs" became a boy band all his own in the late aughts, with hits like "Baby". In 2009, he made history as the first artist with seven songs from a debut record to hit the Billboard Hot 100.
Question 5
What Jamaican-Canadian gold-medal Olympic sprinter was once known as the world's fastest man?
-
AAndre De Grasse
-
BHarry Jerome
-
CPenny Oleksiak
-
DDonovan Bailey
Donovan Bailey
Donovan Bailey immigrated to Ontario at age 12. In 1990, he began racing professionally and by 1996, he'd won two Olympic gold medals, leading the world as "the fastest man" for a time. Maurice Greene broke his record three years later at the 1999 Olympics.
Question 6
Her heart will go on and on. Who is this Canadian-born Titanic singer?
-
AKylie Minogue
-
BAlanis Morissette
-
CCeline Dion
-
DKelly Clarkson
Celine Dion
Celine Dion is perhaps one of the best-known Canadian singers of all time. The voice of the theme song for the megahit <i>Titanic</i>, Dion is a multi-grammy-winning artist and has gone on to star in a concert residency in Vegas.
Question 7
This star hockey player later went on to invest in a popular chain of coffee and donut houses to which he lends his name.
-
AConnor McDavid
-
BGordie Howe
-
CTim Horton
-
DMaurice Richard
Tim Horton
If you like coffee and hockey legends, you can have both in Tim Horton. The hockey star's coffee-and-donut chain is every Canadian's go-to for that morning brew.
Question 8
After losing his leg to cancer, this pragmatist created a one-man marathon to raise money for cancer research. Name this hopeful martyr.
-
ASteve Nash
-
BLou Marsh
-
CSidney Crosby
-
DTerry Fox
Terry Fox
As a student, Terry Fox suffered from bone cancer that required the amputation of his right leg. Instead of spiraling into despair, Fox set out on his "Marathon of Hope" across Canada. Sadly, he was forced to quit nearly halfway, as the cancer had spread to his lungs.
Question 9
He's either dumb or dumber. Who is this Canadian comedian and, as of late, painter?
-
ASteve Martin
-
BBill Murray
-
CJim Carrey
-
DJeff Daniels
Jim Carrey
"Alrighhhty then." One of the many Canadian comedians to have become a megastar worldwide, Jim Carrey saw hit after hit in the '90s, including <i>Dumb & Dumber</i>, <i>Ace Ventura</i>, and <i>The Cable Guy</i>, among others. Had he not made it in Hollywood, Carrey said he likely would have ended up at a steel mill in Ontario.
Question 10
"My father raised us to step toward trouble rather than to step away from it." This current Canadian prime minister is the son of a former Canadian prime minister. Name that progressive national leader.
-
APaul Martin
-
BBrian Mulroney
-
CPierre Trudeau
-
DJustin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
The Trudeau family has a name in Canadian politics. Current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the son of popular former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. With his progressive values and charisma, the latter minister of the Trudeau dynasty regularly rates well in public opinion polls.
Question 11
She is known for her roles on Grey's Anatomy and Killing Eve. Name that Emmy-nominated actress.
-
ASandra Oh
-
BRachel McAdams
-
CAnna Paquin
-
DCobie Smulders
Sandra Oh
Whether you've watched her as a doctor in <i>Grey's Anatomy</i> or as a British intelligence investigator in <i>Killing Eve</i>, Sandra Oh nails her dry deadpan every time. The Emmy-nominated actress grew up in Nepean, Ontario.
Question 12
He has a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. Name that prime example of Canadian kindness.
-
AKeanu Reeves
-
BHayden Christensen
-
CJoshua Jackson
-
DEugene Levy
Keanu Reeves
Although Tom Hanks and Steve Carell are often deemed some of Hollywood's nicest actors, Keanu Reeves flies under the radar. Still, his acts of kindness and authentic niceness are regularly reported, whether by cast and crew or just the average fan off the street. The Canadian actor was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and was raised in Toronto, where he started acting in theatre.
Question 13
"Man," this lady "feels like a woman". Name that country music singer.
-
ACarrie Underwood
-
BReba McEntire
-
CDolly Parton
-
DShania Twain
Shania Twain
If you were around in the '90s, you're probably familiar with Shania Twain's brand of country music. The popular star put out songs like, "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!", "That Don't Impress Me Much," and "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under". Growing up in Ontario, the star has plaques on both the "Walks of Fame" in Hollywood and Canada.
Question 14
He made his name as Austin Powers. Who is this SNL alum?
-
AJohn Candy
-
BMike Myers
-
CDana Carvey
-
DMartin Short
Mike Myers
"Shagadelic, baby!" After gaining fame on SNL – particularly with <i>Wayne's World</i>, Mike Myers starred in the late '90s satirical spy hit, <i>Austin Powers</i>, which was so popular it turned into a trilogy.
Question 15
What famous Canadian nonfiction author of such works as Klondike to The Secret World of Og writes extensively on his home nation?
-
AYann Martel
-
BPierre Berton
-
CJoseph Boyden
-
DLawrence Hill
Pierre Berton
Pierre Berton is one of Canada's most prolific and famous nonfiction writers. Not only did he bring Canadian history to the forefront of literature, his charisma and banter made him a favorite TV personality.
Question 16
What original member of the SNL cast also starred in Ghostbusters and Blues Brothers?
-
ADan Akroyd
-
BJohn Candy
-
CHowie Mandel
-
DMartin Short
Dan Akroyd
Dan Aykroyd is an alumnus of Canada's Second City improv theater branch in Toronto (the original is in Chicago). The SNL cast member starred in a four-year stint on the show as one of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players".
Question 17
She's with a sk8er boi. Name that Canadian punk rocker.
-
AKaty Perry
-
BAvril Lavigne
-
CCarly Rae Jepsen
-
DNelly Furtado
Avril Lavigne
"He was a boy, she was a girl, Can I make it any more obvious?" Avril Lavigne hit the punk-pop scene in the early aughts with her breakout songs, "Sk8er Boi" and "Complicated". Although she may not currently be topping the charts, her video for "Sk8er Boi" has nearly 200 million views on YouTube.
Question 18
Who is this Canadian – the first person born in the '80s to have been nominated for the Best Actor Oscar?
-
ANathan Fillion
-
BKiefer Sutherland
-
CMichael Cera
-
DRyan Gosling
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling's Oscar nomination was for <i>Half Nelson</i>. The Canadian started out as a child star on Disney's <i>The Mickey Mouse Club</i> and has since starred in numerous hits and been nominated for two Oscars, the other being for his role in <i>La La Land</i>.
Question 19
Her prose includes The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments. Who is this two-time Booker Prize-winning author?
-
ALaura Ingalls Wilder
-
BAyn Rand
-
CMargaret Atwood
-
DJ.K. Rowling
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood's works have recently come alive on the small screen with <i>The Handmaid's Tale</i>. The award-winning novelist and poet embraces myth, religion, gender, identity, and "power politics," among other themes in her works. She even invented the LongPen – a device that assists in remote robotic writing.
Question 20
This popular astronaut released a David Bowie "Space Odyssey" video in zero gravity. Name that charismatic Canadian.
-
AMarc Garneau
-
BChris Hadfield
-
CJeremy Hansen
-
DDavid Saint-Jacques
Chris Hadfield
Move over, Buzz Aldrin. Your Canadian cousin, Chris Hadfield, is considered one of the most charismatic astronauts and public figures worldwide. He wrote in his book, <i>An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth</i>, "I wasn’t destined to be an astronaut. I had to turn myself into one.”
Question 21
"And still, bad things, It's a lot of bad things, That they wishin' and wishin' and wishin' and wishin', They wishin' on me." Who is this rapper of "God's Plan"?
-
ABryan Adams
-
BKendrick Lamar
-
CDrake
-
DAndre 3000
Drake
Drake is perhaps one of the most popular rappers – and musicians – to come out of Canada over the past couple of decades. And he certainly has hometown pride, with his album cover for <i>Views</i> featuring Toronto's CN Tower.
Question 22
Yet another SNL alumn, what Canadian comedian, pictured here, is exalted as one of the most revered and recognizable comedians in Hollywood?
-
AMatthew Perry
-
BRick Moranis
-
CSteve Martin
-
DMartin Short
Martin Short
Yet another comedian to come out of Canada, Martin Short is one of the most influential old school comedians for young up-and-comers. Starring on <i>SNL</i> for one season, Short is also known for his sketch show, <i>SCTV</i>.
Question 23
This musician "heard there was a secret chord". Who is this folksy "Hallelujah" singer-songwriter?
-
ABob Dylan
-
BJohn Prine
-
CLeonard Cohen
-
DWoody Guthrie
Leonard Cohen
"Hallelujah" is among Leonard Cohen's hits, along with "Suzanne" and "Famous Blue Raincoat". The Canadian-born poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter navigates themes of religion, loss, isolation, death, politics, and more in his works.
Question 24
Singing hits like "Both Sides Now" and "Woodstock," who is this Canadian singer/songwriter?
-
AShania Twain
-
BAlanis Morissette
-
CAnn Murray
-
DJoni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
"I've looked at life from both sides now, From win and lose and still somehow, It's life's illusions I recall, I really don't know life at all." Joni Mitchell's philosophy includes disillusionment, womanhood, romance, and more, as the singer writes songs that span every theme and genre, from jazz to pop to rock.
Question 25
This legendary journalist got his start in small-town Canadian newspapers. Name that 60 Minutes reporter.
-
AWalter Cronkite
-
BBob Woodward
-
CMorley Safer
-
DDan Rather
Morley Safer
From 1970 to 2016, Morley Safer reported the world's top stories on <i>60 Minutes</i>. His legacy includes his Emmy-winning reports, "It Didn't Have to Happen" and "Air Force Surgeon".
Question 26
Canada is one of the biggest exporters of handsome Ryans. Who is this famous Ryan, known for his role in Deadpool?
-
ARyan Gosling
-
BRyan Reynolds
-
CRyan Cartwright
-
DRyan Seacrest
Ryan Reynolds
Of all the Canadian Ryans, Ryan Reynolds's sarcasm and charisma make him top of the charts. His hit role as Deadpool in <i>Deadpool</i> was shot in his hometown of Vancouver.
Question 27
“Curiosity is the most powerful thing you own.” What award-winning Canadian director brought us Titanic and Avatar?
-
AChristopher Nolan
-
BSteven Spielberg
-
CJames Cameron
-
DDavid Fincher
James Cameron
The <i>Titanic</i> director is "king of the world" when it comes to directing. James Cameron dished out everything from <i>Aliens</i> to <i>Avatar</i> to <i>Terminator</i>. And, more than likely, he'll be back...
Question 28
"It's better to burn out than to fade away..." Although he was active in American politics, what Canadian singer is known for his hits, "Like a Hurricane" and "Rockin' in the Free World"?
-
ANeil Young
-
BJeff Healey
-
CTom Cochrane
-
DMichael Buble
Neil Young
With folk classics like "Old Man" and "Heart of Gold," Neil Young was born and grew up in Ontario, later moving to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. Although he's been a permanent resident of the U.S. for many years, he just became an American citizen in 2020, saying, "I'm proud to be a Canarican."
Question 29
This Canadian artist recently headlined the Super Bowl. Name that singer of "Blinding Lights".
-
APaul Anka
-
BGordon Lightfoot
-
CThe Weeknd
-
DRandy Bachman
The Weeknd
The Canadian artist, the Weeknd, is known for his eccentricity as well as his versatility. With hits like "Save Your Tears" and "Blinding Lights," the star headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2021.
Question 30
This man is the creator of SNL, one of the longest-running sketch comedy shows on television. Name that hitmaker.
-
AD.B. Weiss
-
BVince Gilligan
-
CLes Moonves
-
DLorne Michaels
Lorne Michaels
Likely at least partially responsible for casting so many fellow Canadians on <i>SNL</i>, Lorne Michaels is the creator of <i>Saturday Night Live</i> and continues to run it today. Launching the careers of many of <i>SNL</i>'s greats – like Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, and countless others – Michaels has helped shape American comedy for decades.
Comments (0)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.