Actor known for roles as flying ace, Toronto lawyer, cranky father
To say that Eric Peterson is a prolific actor who has left an indelible mark on Canada would be a massive understatement.
Born and raised in Indian Head, Peterson has been a regular on the Canadian arts scene since the early 1970s, frequently appearing on stage, television and film.
He first garnered national attention in 1978 with Billy Bishop Goes To War, a play he co-wrote with John Gray and in which Peterson played multiple characters. Based on the life of Bishop, a First World War pilot, the play toured across Canada. In addition to playing in the United States (Broadway and Los Angeles), it also hit theatres in Edinburgh, Scotland and London, England. Movie versions of the play were released in 1982 and 2010 (the latter was a revised version with an elderly Bishop reminiscing about his glory days).
In a 1987 interview with the Leader-Post, Peterson acknowledged the impact the play had on his career.
“I view my big break, if you want to call it that, as Billy Bishop Goes To War,” said Peterson. “It just made me so much more visible. That was quite a watershed for me.”
Peterson then made the leap to television, starring as lawyer Leon Robinovich on the CBC drama Street Legal. The series ran from 1987 to 1994 with Peterson winning three Gemini Awards for his performance (best performance by an actor in a continuing leading dramatic role; 1987, 1989 and 1992.)
But the role he is likely most remembered for is Oscar Leroy, the grumpy and scatterbrained father of Brent Leroy on the CTV sitcom Corner Gas. Peterson was an integral part of the success of the comedy — it averaged more than one million viewers per episode over its six-season run of 107 episodes — with his catchphrase “Jackass!” being used in all but the debut episode of the series.
Peterson, who will turn 71 on Oct. 2, was awarded a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2013 for his lifetime contributions to Canadian theatre. He remains active as an actor and will be part of the upcoming Corner Gas animated series.
As we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the Leader-Post and StarPhoenix are telling the stories of 150 Saskatchewan people who helped shape the nation. Send your suggestions or feedback to sask150@postmedia.com.