(Montreal) The Montreal company Juste pour rire/Just for Laughs was inducted at the Canadian Walk of Fame gala on Saturday in Toronto.
Just for laughs, celebrating its 40e anniversary, is one of the Canadians honored this year for their excellence in their respective fields, be it entertainment, entrepreneurship, sport or philanthropy in particular.
They will have their stars engraved on sidewalks in the theater district in Toronto.
In addition to the Just for Laughs and Just for Laughs festivals in Montreal, the group organizes dozens of comedy shows around the world.
Several Quebecers already have their star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, including Celine Dion, Maurice Richard, Denys Arcand and Cirque du Soleil.
Other inductees this year include businesswoman and philanthropist Heather Reisman, born in Montreal and a graduate of McGill University. She founded and runs the Indigo bookstore chain.
R&B singer Deborah Cox is also reaping her star. She said on Saturday that she hoped her recognition would help inspire other black musicians.
“For me, growing up, it was really hard to find people who looked like me on radio and TV,” the 48-year-old singer-songwriter said on the red carpet before receiving her star on Saturday. evening.
Rock band The Tragically Hip was inducted in recognition of their humanitarian efforts.
“We’re happy to be noticed for seizing these chances and opportunities,” said guitarist Paul Langlois. It’s a bit of a humbling thing, it’s not something we’re looking to celebrate. »
The gala also honored 2021 inductees, R&B singer Jully Black, actor Graham Greene and entrepreneur and philanthropist Ajay Virmani.
This year’s inductee, 37-year-old actress Tatiana Maslany, known for the series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Orphan Blackstressed that she was honored to be recognized at this stage of her career.
Mme Maslany is currently working on a television series for AMC titled Invitation to a Bonfire. She described the project as a “dark and sexy” play set in the 1930s.
Director Julien Christian Lutz, known as Director X, said it was unexpected praise to be recognized by a star for his work behind the camera.
Posthumous honors went to Canadian journalist Barbara Frum, acclaimed for her CBC interviews, and Lionel Conacher, Canadian athlete and politician.
Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse, who presented the induction to the family, said Conacher inspired him to become a better athlete.
Canada’s Walk of Fame airs Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. on CTV.
With information from Christian Collington, The Canadian Press, Toronto