Alberta Watson, in full Faith Susan Alberta Watson, (born March 6, 1955, Toronto, Canadadied March 21, 2015, Toronto), Canadian film and television actress whose career spanned four decades. .more .more Comments 405 Add a. She played Dr. Rebecca Myer in the 1980s Buck James TV series, and Erin Driscoll, the head of a counter-terrorist unit, in 24. Alberta Watson, well known to television audiences for her Gemini award-nominated role as Madeline on La Femme Nikita (1997), enjoys a long and diverse career in television and film. :)Song: \"We build bridges\" by Liz DurrettWe build bridgesDon't weSometimes need a handDespite our best laid plansDon't weSometimes miss what we hadAnd we struggleDon't weSometimes lose the reasonsBut in the peaceful morningWe can clearly seeWhere we've beenOh, and the tide pulls us out, alrightOh, and the tide pulls us out, alrightOh, when the tide brings us backHow sweet it is Canadian actor, director, writer, and producer. Born in Toronto, Watson began performing in theatre and on television while still in her teens. She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. io. Id loved her in so many things, I was star struck. In her final performance, Watson played Senator Madeline Pierce when La Femme Nikita was rebooted as Nikita in 2010. Watsons list of credits includes 24, The Newsroom and The Border as well as movies like Away from Her and The Sweet Hereafter. Alberta Watson, Canadian actress, dies after battle with cancer | CBC News Loaded. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians. Outside acting, Watson championed more production in Canada and more opportunities for Canadian actors. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Tony Award-nominated Broadway actor, 41, died in a hospital in Los Angeles after suffering severe medical complications after contracting the coronavirus. The Canadian Encyclopedia [About her portrayal of the mother in, Choice: The Henry Morgentaler Story (2005). Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Alberta Watson, congrats on your Gemini win 2011, for Heartland! Her husband Ken was at her side. Watson died on Saturday at age 60 after a long battle with cancer. Omissions? [4], Among her well-known film roles are the bed-ridden mother Susan Aibelli in the 1994 American independent film Spanking the Monkey, Lauren Murphy (the mother of Jonny Lee Miller's character Dade, also called "Crash Override"/"Zero Cool") in the 1995 cult film Hackers, and Risa in the 1997 Academy Award-nominated Canadian film The Sweet Hereafter, directed by Atom Egoyan. She followed La Femme Nikita with a string of notable independent films, including The Art of Woo (2001), John Cameron Mitchells Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), Thom Fitzgeralds The Wild Dogs, (2002) and Jeremy Podeswas TV movie, After the Harvest (2001), which brought her another Gemini nomination. - YouTube 0:00 / 1:49 Video unavailable This video contains content from Adrev Affiliate, who has blocked it in your country. Handout TORONTO Canadian actress Alberta Watson passed away Saturday after a battle with cancer. [7], Watson got her first role at age 19 in a CBC movie called Honor Thy Father. Watson eventually returned to Canada and landed a leading role in La Femme Nikita, which ran from 1997 to 2001. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Her final film role was in the Vancouver-shot Helen (2009), starring Ashley Judd. Watsons final credits included such Canadian and independent films as Some Things That Stay (2004), Citizen Duane (2006), A Lobster Tale (2006), and Sarah Polleys Genie-winning Away from Her (2006) opposite Gordon Pinsent, with whom she performed in Chris Landreths Genie-nominated animated short The Spine (2009). By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Lovely woman. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Deeply saddened to hear the wonderful @Alberta_Watson has died. During 2007 and 2008, Watson played a supporting role in the Canadian television series The Border as the Minister of Public Safety. [13] When her hair started to regrow, she sported the short haircut in her role as Madeline in the show's third season.[13]. Renowned for her consistency and reliability, Watson was perhaps best known for the TV series La Femme Nikita (1997-2001) and 24 (2004-05), but she also gave memorable performances in David O . Best as Madeline in La Femme Nikita/Nikita. Although the film received mostly negative reviews, Watsons performance led to appearances on such American television series as Hill Street Blues, The Equalizer, and Law & Order and a continuing role on the short-lived ABC drama Buck James. [10], Watson lived in New Jersey for eight years[11] with her husband until they divorced. Congrats, Alberta!! [12][13] Producers at La Femme Nikita worked around her treatment and limited her appearances. In 1998 Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma. Colorectal cancer cases rising among younger adults in Canada and U.S. Ex-husband of Edmonton soldier who tried to kill their children plans to sue Canadian military, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle evicted from their U.K. home by King Charles, Angry parents speak out on their daughter who froze to death on N.S. [1], Watson was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1955. The subject was incest. Died (60) Add to list Awards 3 wins & 6 nominations Photos 28 Known for Hedwig and the Angry Inch 7.7 Faith Susan Alberta Watson (March 6, 1955 March 21, 2015), better known as Alberta Watson, was a Canadian film and television actress. I had the pleasure of working with her. The original version of this entry was published by TORONTO Canadian actress Alberta Watson passed away Saturday after a battle with cancer. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). She won a Gemini Award in 2010. Watson starred in four seasons of La Femme Nikita, along with a return appearance in its fifth season, and earned a Gemini nomination for season two. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. She followed this with The Prince and Me (2004) and recurring roles in such TV series as Show Me Yours (2004) and Ken Finklemans The Newsroom (2004). It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Her Gary Goddard Agency . Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. She underwent treatment but continued to act prolifically, often wearing wigs to conceal the effects of chemotherapy. Alberta Watson, in full Faith Susan Alberta Watson, (born March 6, 1955, Toronto, Canadadied March 21, 2015, Toronto), Canadian film and television actress whose career spanned four decades. He has used his social media skills to transform his past interest in blogging about Canadian film Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. [7] She then returned to Toronto and focused on finding roles in independent films. All Rights Reserved. Madeleine is the most badass character ever. She moved south and worked for many years in New York and Los Angeles. She was nominated for Genie Awards for her work in 1978s In Praise of Older Women and 1996s Shoemaker. Winter says Watson "died in the arms of her beloved Ken after a long and incredibly courageous battle.". She was 60. Watson played Erin Driscoll, head of the fictional intelligence agency that employs operative Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). During the show's second season (in 1998), Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma, for which she had to undergo chemotherapy treatment which caused her to lose her hair. Actress Alberta Watson is photographed during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006, in Toronto. When I had to talk to Alberta Watson on set of THE BORDER I was always nervous. Her son visits for the summer and she's laid up with a broken leg and things get out of hand. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). After performing the lead role of Madelaine on the Canadian-made La Femme Nikita series between 1997 and 2001, Watson later played the recurring role of Senator Madeline Pierce on the CWs follow-up Nikita series, also shot in Toronto. This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 21:52. Her Gary Goddard Agency rep, Pam Winter, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Watson passed away on Saturday at Torontos Kensington Hospice after a long battle with cancer. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alberta-Watson, The Canadian Encyclopedia - Biography of Alberta Watson. The Tony Award-nominated Broadway actor, 41, died in a hospital in Los Angeles after suffering severe medical complications after contracting the coronavirus. Patrick Mullen is a writer, blogger, film critic, film festival programmer, and social media coordinator. Alternate titles: Faith Susan Alberta Watson. "A Conversation with Alberta Watson". Watson came closer to fame with the role of Madeline, the cunning force on the Canadian syndicated spy series La Femme Nikita, adapted from the 1990 Luc Besson film. (Surnow was such a fan that he not only hired her again but also named a character in the series, Alberta Green, after her.) Watson's first name inspired the character Alberta Green in the first season of 24. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Watson died at Toronto's Kensington Hospice with her husband Ken at her side.. [2] Watson said:[7].mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. WARNING: Major spoilers for the Season 14 premiere of Heartland are ahead!. Many of Watsonspeers and fans took to Twitter to remember her. A decade later, she had a recurring role as a different character (with the same first name) on the seriesNikita. The Canadian actress, who also had roles in the 'La Femme Nikita' and 'Nikita' TV series, passed away after a long battle with cancer. It didn't scare me at all. Yeeeehaaaa! [2] She grew up in Toronto with her mother Grace, a factory worker, and her brother. [4] She moved to Los Angeles, California, and later to New York City. She began performing with a local Toronto theatre group, T.H.O.G. In a nod to her La Femme Nikita role, Alberta played a recurring character Madeline Pierce in Nikita, the CW's 2010-2013 reboot of the film and TV series. She balanced her work in La Femme Nikita with roles in Canadian films including The Life Before This (1999), Desire (2000), and Deeply (2000). She amassed some devoted fans and engaged with them frequently on fan sites. Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1998. She was 60. Watson began acting at age 15 with the Theater House of God at the Bathurst Street United Church in Toronto. [3][8] Early in her career she portrayed the role of Mitzi in George Kaczender's[9] In Praise of Older Women (1978), for which she received a Genie nomination. (Theatre House of God),[3] of the Bathurst Street United Church, at age 15. [4], Watson took a workshop for the Hair musical. Alberta Watson, a Canadian actress who had roles in the 24 and Nikita dramas over a four-decade movie and TV career, has died. Watson died at Torontos Kensington Hospice with her husband Ken at her side. Alberta Watson, pictured in an undated publicity photo. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The provocative film was controversial when it premiered at the Toronto Festival of Festivals (now the Toronto International Film Festival), but it earned 10 Canadian Film Award nominations, including one for Watson for Best Supporting Actress. Watson's agent Pam Winter says the La Femme Nikitastar died Saturday in Toronto. legislature over commercialization of hard drugs, Milton man accused of murdering armed intruder released on bail. And I'm not a name with an image to protect. Her Canadian TV series credits include roles in Heartland, The Newsroom, The Border and Show Me Yours. [4], In Spanking the Monkey, Watson plays her favourite character,[12] a mother who has an incestuous relationship with her son. Watson shared the National Board of Review award for Best Ensemble and helped bring the film international recognition. In a nod to her La Femme Nikita role, Alberta played a recurring character Madeline Pierce in Nikita, the CW's 20102013 reboot of the film and TV series. Death [ edit] I took it because it was a heck of a challenge. She also appeared in The Lookout (2007) with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as well as in the TV series Angelas Eyes (2006), The Border (2008), and Heartland (2010), for which she won a Gemini Award. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Updates? [13] Watson wore wigs in the show when she lost her hair. Watson re-teamed with La Femme Nikita co-creator Joel Surnow for season four of his hit action-drama 24. [5] While at the workshop she acted in Hamlet, which was directed by Ren Bonnire,[6] who later directed her in La Femme Nikita. The role was turned down by several actresses such as Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange and others. Her first major credit was in Robert Lantos and Claude Hrouxs In Praise of Older Women (1978). Watson found additional strong TV work playing Detective Denise McGoohan in Chasing Cain (2001) and Chasing Cain: Face (2002). It didn't scare me at all. She briefly lived on a communal farm outside the city with other actors before returning to Toronto to act professionally, landing her first role in the CBC TV movie Honour Thy Father (1974). Watson earned a Gemini Award in 2011 for her guest role on Heartland. Please read our Commenting Policy first. Watson then appeared in several notable projects, including the early Angelina Jolie vehicle Hackers (1995) and the Golden Globe-nominated, Emmy-winning TV movie Gotti (1996), playing the wife of infamous New York mobster John Gotti. The subject was incest. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. Oh! Canadian actress Alberta Watson has died after a long battle with cancer. avalanche lost father, brother-in-law, family friend in slide, Trudeau says probes into foreign election interference ongoing, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murder of wife, son, Heated debate in B.C. Renowned for her consistency and reliability, Watson was perhaps best known for the TV series La Femme Nikita (19972001) and 24 (200405), but she also gave memorable performances in David O. Russells Spanking the Monkey (1994), Atom Egoyans The Sweet Hereafter (1997), and John Cameron Mitchells Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001). Born in Toronto, Watson started out in acting with a local theater group, and by the 1970s had regular Canadian film and TV roles. ALBERTA WATSON won a Gemini (pretty much, a Canadian Emmy) to Best Performance by an Actress, Guest Role in a Dramatic Series, for her portrayal of Sarah Craven ('Where the Truth Lies', S4 E05, CBC's series Heartland). In 2010, Watson guest-starred in Heartland, a series on CBC Television, and she won a 2011 Gemini Award for her portrayal of Sarah Craven. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Besides her turn as the operative Madeline Pierce on La Femme Nikita,Watson became known to TV audiences through roles on 24,The Newsroom,Heartlandand The Border. Comments are welcome while open. . Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. RIP Alberta Watson. She played the role of Madeline in La Femme Nikita for four seasons from 1997 to 2001 (with guest appearances in the short fifth season). 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While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. #cdntv, Denis McGrath (@DMcWriterboy) March 23, 2015, I had the pleasure of working with @albertawatson on my first film #alobstertale rent the movie on iTunes to see Albertas great performance, Adam Massey (@lee_adam_massey) March 23, 2015. Watson later expressed disappointment with her early television work, but these roles inevitably shaped her career, pushing her to pursue strong, complex characters in projects that challenged her. Heyn, Christopher. Corrections? I think Im still in shock about @Alberta_Watsons death. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Several high-profile actresses declined the role, including Susan Sarandon, Faye Dunaway, Jessica Lange, and Isabella Rossellini, but Watson relished it, later calling it her best performance and her favourite role. Canadian actress Alberta Watson dies at 60, Ex-husband of Edmonton soldier who tried to kill their children plans to sue Canadian military on Facebook, Ex-husband of Edmonton soldier who tried to kill their children plans to sue Canadian military on Twitter. After a long battle with cancer, Watson died at the age of 60 from complications of the disease. She worked with director Colleen Murphy on the film Shoemaker (1996), for which she received a second Genie nomination for Best Actress. heartland actor dies alberta watson. Watson died on March 21, 2015 due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto; she was 60 years old. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. She was 60. lp I seized the character and made her something. I seized the character and made her something. RIP #AlbertaWatson. She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. "Young Actress Is Behind Bars -- For A Movie", "Three Hours On A Plane Is All She Can Stand: Great Escapes - Alberta Watson", "Alberta Watson: The Toughest Woman on Television", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alberta_Watson&oldid=1133861902, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2009, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. And I'm not a name with an image to protect. Alberta Watson, well known to television audiences for her Gemini Courtesy of Everett Collection. A year later she received the Best Actress award at the Yorkton Film Festival for "Exposure". Watson died on March 21, 2015, due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto fifteen days after her 60th birthday.[14]. [citation needed] In 2005, Watson joined the cast of 24, playing CTU Director Erin Driscoll for 12 episodes of the show's fourth season. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. After living in the New YorkNew Jersey area for eight years, she returned to Canada and starred in Shoemaker (1996), an early production for the Canadian Film Centres Feature Film Project, which earned her a Genie Award nomination. She was 60. Her son visits for the summer and she's laid up in a cast with a broken leg and things get out of hand. award-nominated role as Madeline on, Her name was the basis for the character Alberta Green, played by, I took it because it was a heck of a challenge. Watson continued acting with the hit CBC TV series The King of Kensington and such tax shelter films as Stone Cold Dead (1979), Dirty Tricks (1981), and The Soldier (1982). street, Chinese Canadian parliamentarians among greater targets for interference: Trudeau, Markham caregiver plans to travel, possibly buy new home after $60M lottery win, RCMP believe Slave Lake toddler Jeffrey Dupres, missing for 43 years, is still alive, Survivor of B.C. Alberta Watson, a Canadian actress who had roles in the 24 and Nikita dramas over a four-decade movie and TV career, has died. She moved to Los Angeles and landed her first Hollywood role in Michael Manns 1983 horror film, The Keep. Watson then played the grieving and lonely mother, Risa Walker, in Atom Egoyans critically acclaimed The Sweet Hereafter (1997). TV Actresses. U.K. agency missed chance to stop attack at Ariana Grandes Manchester concert: report, Travis Scott accused of assaulting nightclub worker, calls incident a misunderstanding. I have such wonderful memories, and I cant believe shes gone. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. No details are available on a memorial service for Watson. The offbeat black comedy proved to be a defining moment in her career; the film won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and drew largely positive reviews.