In the entertainment industry, Canada often seems to be outshined by the United States. However, there have actually been many successful Canadian actors and actresses to grace the silver screen over the years. Here are some of the greatest of all time.

Ryan Gosling
Gosling’s well known for his steamy good looks and movie roles as a rebel. His career started earlier when he landed a spot on the “Mickey Mouse Club”. Perhaps his break out movie, was “The Notebook” in 2004. This movie gained Ryan a lot of notoriety as one of the hottest bachelors in Hollywood not to mention a heart throb. Two years later, his role in “Half Nelson” would earn him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor.

Rachel McAdams
McAdams starred with Gosling in “The Notebook” which has almost become a cult phenomenon as the ultimate chic flick. First getting her big break in TV, McAdams starred in several made for TV movies as well as a miniseries. However, her breakout came in her film prior to “The Notebook” in “Mean Girls”. After this release, McAdams was prized as one of the top young actresses of the day. She has since been rather a Renaissance woman taking roles in a variety of genres including comedy, thrillers, dramas and independent films.

Jim Carrey
Many do not realize that Carrey was born in Canada and didn’t actually become an American citizen until 2004. Carrey is well known for his facial expressions that are flexible and rather humorous at times. Like many actors, Carrey had an early start by performing stand-up comedy at the conclusion of every school day while in middle school. His family came upon rough times and Carrey had to take a job while young which affected his schooling. However, he did do stand-up on the side which started him on his way to being one of the best known comedic actors.

William Shatner
With over half a century in the entertainment business, Shatner is one export that Canadians can be proud. His early years were influenced by a local summer theatre group in which he performed Beginning his career as the commander of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Captain James Kirk. After that role, he spent time guest starring in popular shows of the time. His most recent roles were in 1997’s “The Practice” and 2004’s “Boston Legal”.

Donald Sutherland
Like Shatner, Sutherland has been blessed with a long, successful career. He first became well known in the 1970’s after starring in some iconic films including “Animal House”, “Ordinary People” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. Sutherland proved to be a versatile actor able to star in a variety of movie genres. His most recent film project was The Hunger Games Trilogy. While he has been never nominated for an Oscar, he has received recognition at the Golden Globes.

Ryan Reynolds
Hailing from Vancouver, Reynolds first appeared in a Nickelodeon series and later some made for TV movies but nothing terribly outstanding. While earning a few more roles, Reynolds career wasn’t taking off and he soon contemplated leaving acting. His most notable role recently, has been starring as the title character in “Deadpool”.

Of course this isn’t an exclusive list of Canadian born actors and actresses, there are many who hail from up north. Perhaps some of these would make your list.