Tom Jackson (actor)

Thomas Dale Jackson, OC, (October 27,1948), is a popular Canadian Métis actor and singer.

Early life

Jackson was born to Rose, a Cree, and Marshall, an Englishman, on the One Arrow Reserve near Batoche, Saskatchewan.

Jackson moved with his family to Namao, Alberta, north of Edmonton, at age seven. He voluntarily left his home and school at age 15, and lived on the streets of Winnipeg for several years.

Career

As an actor he has starred in TV shows such as "North of 60" and "Shining Time Station" where his character Billy Twofeathers debuted in its Halloween episode Scare Dares, and made a guest appearance on "" in the season seven episode . His films include "The Diviners". He has also released several albums of country and folk music.

Philanthropy

A well-known philanthropist, Jackson created an annual series of Christmas concerts called the Huron Carole. Featuring Jackson and numerous other Canadian singers and performers, the Huron Carole troupe travels across the country each year, raising money for the Canadian Association of Food Banks. An album of Christmas songs recorded to tie-in with the tour is an annual best seller in Canada. After 17 years, Jackson retired the Huron Carole and in its place launched "Singing for Supper", a cross-Canada tour that plays smaller community venues raising money and gifts of food, during the 2005 Christmas season. As of 2007 the "Singing for Supper" tour continues, with approximately 20 performances planned during November-December 2007.

In the spring of 1997 Jackson's home town was bracing for "the flood of the century" that had already put towns south of the US/Canada border under water. Jackson was instrumental in organizing flood relief concerts across the nation (Calgary, Winnipeg)

Work

He also starred in "Grizzly Falls", in 1999. His film career remains active with his appearance in the horror/thriller, "Skinwalkers", scheduled for early 2007 release.

Filmography

This filmography has been adapted from IMDb.

*"Little Mosque on the Prairie....Archeologist (2007)"
*"Skinwalkers (2006) .... Will"
*"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" .... Chief Johnson (2006)
* (2005) .... Custer
*Distant Drumming: A North of 60 Mystery (2005) (TV) .... Peter Kenidi
*"Tom Stone" .... Ray Swiftwater (2002)
*"Relic Hunter" .... Bobby Green (2002)
*Dream Storm: A North of 60 Mystery (2001) (TV) .... Peter Kenidi
*Trial by Fire (2000) (TV) .... Peter Kenidi
*"It's Like, You Know..." .... Father (1999)
*Grizzly Falls (1999) .... Joshua
*"Chicago Hope" .... Peter Matthews (1998)
*"North of 60" .... Peter Kenidi (1992-1997)
*Great Canadian Ghost Stories (1995) .... Host
*"Sliders" .... Color Commentator (1 episode, 1995)
*"500 Nations" (1995) (TV miniseries) (voice)
*"Street Legal" .... David Cormier / ... (3 episodes, 1988-1994)
*"Star Trek: The Next Generation" .... Lakanta (1994)
*Spirit Rider (1993) (TV) .... Albert St. Clair
*Medicine River (1993) (TV) .... Harlen Bigbear
*The Diviners (1993) (TV) .... Jules
*"Shining Time Station" .... Billy Twofeathers (1991-1993)
*Clearcut (1991) .... Tom Starblanket
*Martha, Ruth & Edie (1988)
*Loyalties (1986) .... Eddy

Honorary Degrees

Jackson has been honoured several times for his life's work. Most notably in 2000 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and is a former member of the Order of Canada Advisory Council. He has been nominated for Juno Awards and Gemini Awards. He has also received honours from several Canadian universities, including honorary degrees from the University of Calgary, Trent University and the University of Lethbridge. He also received the Humanitarian Award at the 2007 Juno Awards due to his charitable efforts.PDFlink| [http://www.junoawards.ca/PDF/20061205b.pdf] |46.2 KiB

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0414103/ IMDB entry]
* [http://www.tomali.com/ Official website]
* [http://atlakesimcoe.com/tomjackson.html Unofficial fansite]
* [http://www.northernstars.ca/actorsjkl/jackson_tom.html NorthernStars: Tom Jackson profile/filmography]