Acting
Shirley Douglas
EN cinema · 21 credits
Born
2 April 1934
Died
5 April 2020 (aged 86)
Birthplace
Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada
Shirley Douglas, with a start in church drama and music, pursued acting seriously from a young age. After studies in London, she acted in British theatre and TV. Her marriage to Donald Sutherland bore twins, Kiefer and Rachel Sutherland. Engaging in American protest movements in the late '60s and '70s, she advocated for various causes, eventually returning to Canada in 1977. Her career flourished in film, TV, and theatre, embodying strong characters like Hagar Shipley in "The Stone Angel" and Marilla in "Anne of Green Gables." Known for her activism, she ardently supported Canada's healthcare system, advocating for its accessibility. Notably, she won a Gemini Award for "Shadow Lake" in 2000 and received an honorary doctorate from Ryerson Polytechnic University and the Diamond Award from the Variety Club. Shirley's father was Tommy Douglas, renowned for founding Canada’s healthcare system.
Known for
Filmography
Sarah McLachlan: A Life of Music
as Narrator (voice)
The Christmas Shoes
as Ellen Layton
A House Divided
as Elizabeth Dickson
Shadow Lake
as Margaret Richards
Woman Wanted
as Peg
Barney's Great Adventure
as Grandma
Flash Gordon: Marooned on Mongo
as Additional Voices (voice)
Redwood Curtain
as Schyler Noyes
Johnny's Girl
as Mrs. Hardwick
Mesmer
as Duchess Dubarry
Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story
as Vivian Karney
The Shower
as Marie
Dead Ringers
as Laura
Shadow Dancing
as Nicole
Loose Ends
as Wife
Really Weird Tales
as Edna Besley (segment "Cursed With Charisma")
Turning to Stone
as Lena
The Wars
as Mrs. Lawson
Lolita
as Mrs. Starch