Shirley Douglas

Biography

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

Degrassi

The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Corner Gas

Road to Avonlea

Franklin

Lolita

Robson Arms

The Hat Squad

All Movies (21)

• Sarah McLachlan: A Life of Music2004 · as Narrator (voice)
• The Christmas Shoes2002 · as Ellen Layton
• The Law of Enclosures2000 · as Mya
• A House Divided2000 · as Elizabeth Dickson
• Woman Wanted1999 · as Peg
• Shadow Lake1999 · as Margaret Richards
• Barney's Great Adventure1998 · as Grandma
• Flash Gordon: Marooned on Mongo1996 · as Additional Voices (voice)
• Johnny's Girl1995 · as Mrs. Hardwick
• Redwood Curtain1995 · as Schyler Noyes
• Mesmer1994 · as Duchess Dubarry
• Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story1993 · as Vivian Karney
• The Shower1992 · as Marie
• Shadow Dancing1988 · as Nicole
• Dead Ringers1988 · as Laura
• Really Weird Tales1986 · as Edna Besley (segment "Cursed With Charisma")
• Loose Ends1986 · as Wife
• Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame1986 · as self
• Turning to Stone1985 · as Lena
• The Wars1983 · as Mrs. Lawson
• Lolita1962 · as Mrs. Starch

All TV Shows (12)

• The Path to 9/112006 · as Madeline Albright
• Robson Arms2005
• Corner Gas2004 · as Shirley Douglas
• Rick Mercer Report2004
• Degrassi2001 · as Professor Dunwoody
• Franklin1997 · as Narrator (voice)
• Wind at My Back1996
• No Price Too High1995
• The Hat Squad1992 · as Kitty
• Road to Avonlea1990
• The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents1985 · as Monica Logan
• Hallmark Hall of Fame1951 · as Schyler Noyes