Born in Toronto, Watson started out in acting with a local theater group, and by the 1970s had regular Canadian film and TV roles. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. The Canadian Encyclopedia [7], Watson got her first role at age 19 in a CBC movie called Honor Thy Father. Winter says Watson "died in the arms of her beloved Ken after a long and incredibly courageous battle.". On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Comments are welcome while open. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. 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. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Watson died on March 21, 2015 due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto; she was 60 years old. "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. Watson died on March 21, 2015, due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto fifteen days after her 60th birthday.[14]. (Carlo. [About her portrayal of the mother in, Choice: The Henry Morgentaler Story (2005). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Her son visits for the summer and she's laid up with a broken leg and things get out of hand. 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. I seized the character and made her something. In 1998 Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma. 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. Watson died at Toronto's Kensington Hospice with her husband Ken at her side.. Death [ edit] Alberta Watson, well known to television audiences for her Gemini After a long battle with cancer, Watson died at the age of 60 from complications of the disease. The Tony Award-nominated Broadway actor, 41, died in a hospital in Los Angeles after suffering severe medical complications after contracting the coronavirus. [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. 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. RIP #AlbertaWatson. A decade later, she had a recurring role as a different character (with the same first name) on the seriesNikita. When I had to talk to Alberta Watson on set of THE BORDER I was always nervous. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. The subject was incest. Watsons list of credits includes 24, The Newsroom and The Border as well as movies like Away from Her and The Sweet Hereafter. . 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. Watson eventually returned to Canada and landed a leading role in La Femme Nikita, which ran from 1997 to 2001. Alberta Watson, Canadian actress, dies after battle with cancer | CBC News Loaded. (Theatre House of God),[3] of the Bathurst Street United Church, at age 15. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alberta-Watson, The Canadian Encyclopedia - Biography of Alberta Watson. 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. It didn't scare me at all. 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Watson gambled by playing the seductive mother in David O. Russells incest-tinged first feature, Spanking the Monkey (1994). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Incredible char and actor. Please read our Commenting Policy first. 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. 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. Canadian actress Alberta Watson has died after a long battle with cancer. She was 60. Heyn, Christopher. She moved to Los Angeles and landed her first Hollywood role in Michael Manns 1983 horror film, The Keep. She was 60. WARNING: Major spoilers for the Season 14 premiere of Heartland are ahead!. [10], Watson lived in New Jersey for eight years[11] with her husband until they divorced. 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. [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}. She was 60. 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. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. [13] Watson wore wigs in the show when she lost her hair. Alberta Watson, a Canadian actress who had roles in the 24 and Nikita dramas over a four-decade movie and TV career, has died. .more .more Comments 405 Add a. Watson re-teamed with La Femme Nikita co-creator Joel Surnow for season four of his hit action-drama 24. 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. This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 21:52. She began performing with a local Toronto theatre group, T.H.O.G. Born in Toronto, Watson began performing in theatre and on television while still in her teens. Yeeeehaaaa! [4] She moved to Los Angeles, California, and later to New York City. Corrections? In 2008, Alberta Watson received a Career Achievement Award from the Boston-based Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. The Tony Award-nominated Broadway actor, 41, died in a hospital in Los Angeles after suffering severe medical complications after contracting the coronavirus. 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). . Actress Alberta Watson is photographed during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006, in Toronto. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. She played Dr. Rebecca Myer in the 1980s Buck James TV series, and Erin Driscoll, the head of a counter-terrorist unit, in 24. 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 . The original version of this entry was published by 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. Madeleine is the most badass character ever. Watson died at Torontos Kensington Hospice with her husband Ken at her side. Her final film role was in the Vancouver-shot Helen (2009), starring Ashley Judd. The role was turned down by several actresses such as Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange and others. 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. She worked with director Colleen Murphy on the film Shoemaker (1996), for which she received a second Genie nomination for Best Actress. Her husband Ken was at her side. [7] She then returned to Toronto and focused on finding roles in independent films. Watson's first name inspired the character Alberta Green in the first season of 24. Her first major credit was in Robert Lantos and Claude Hrouxs In Praise of Older Women (1978). TV Actresses. RIP Alberta Watson. [13] When her hair started to regrow, she sported the short haircut in her role as Madeline in the show's third season.[13]. 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. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Watson's agent Pam Winter says the La Femme Nikitastar died Saturday in Toronto. All Rights Reserved. Watson played Erin Driscoll, head of the fictional intelligence agency that employs operative Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). And I'm not a name with an image to protect. 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. 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. Watson earned a Gemini Award in 2011 for her guest role on Heartland. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. I took it because it was a heck of a challenge. Deeply saddened to hear the wonderful @Alberta_Watson has died. She moved south and worked for many years in New York and Los Angeles. 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. Id loved her in so many things, I was star struck. "A Conversation with Alberta Watson". Oh! Youll be missed :'(, Dylan Matthews (@iHeyes) March 23, 2015. [citation needed] In 2005, Watson joined the cast of 24, playing CTU Director Erin Driscoll for 12 episodes of the show's fourth season. And I'm not a name with an image to protect. 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). I had the pleasure of working with her. 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. lp Alberta Watson, pictured in an undated publicity photo. 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. [2] She grew up in Toronto with her mother Grace, a factory worker, and her brother. Watson shared the National Board of Review award for Best Ensemble and helped bring the film international recognition. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Her Canadian TV series credits include roles in Heartland, The Newsroom, The Border and Show Me Yours. Courtesy of Everett Collection. legislature over commercialization of hard drugs, Milton man accused of murdering armed intruder released on bail. She was 60. She amassed some devoted fans and engaged with them frequently on fan sites. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Lovely woman. geoff ewart (@geoffewart) March 23, 2015. (Surnow was such a fan that he not only hired her again but also named a character in the series, Alberta Green, after her.) 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. #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. Alberta Watson, congrats on your Gemini win 2011, for Heartland! Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. [5] While at the workshop she acted in Hamlet, which was directed by Ren Bonnire,[6] who later directed her in La Femme Nikita. Watson died on Saturday at age 60 after a long battle with cancer. 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. 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. I think Im still in shock about @Alberta_Watsons death. Faith Susan Alberta Watson (March 6, 1955 March 21, 2015), better known as Alberta Watson, was a Canadian film and television actress. 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. 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). She underwent treatment but continued to act prolifically, often wearing wigs to conceal the effects of chemotherapy. 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. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. TORONTO Canadian actress Alberta Watson passed away Saturday after a battle with cancer. I seized the character and made her something. Her son visits for the summer and she's laid up in a cast with a broken leg and things get out of hand. Many of Watsonspeers and fans took to Twitter to remember her. Patrick Mullen is a writer, blogger, film critic, film festival programmer, and social media coordinator. 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). Updates? No details are available on a memorial service for Watson. She won a Gemini Award in 2010. I have such wonderful memories, and I cant believe shes gone. She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. Omissions? She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. She was 60. zh. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Best as Madeline in La Femme Nikita/Nikita. She was 60. Watson found additional strong TV work playing Detective Denise McGoohan in Chasing Cain (2001) and Chasing Cain: Face (2002). A year later she received the Best Actress award at the Yorkton Film Festival for "Exposure". Watson then played the grieving and lonely mother, Risa Walker, in Atom Egoyans critically acclaimed The Sweet Hereafter (1997). 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). It didn't scare me at all. 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). The Canadian actress, who also had roles in the 'La Femme Nikita' and 'Nikita' TV series, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Alternate titles: Faith Susan Alberta Watson. [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. 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. 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). Congrats, Alberta!! 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. Watson began acting at age 15 with the Theater House of God at the Bathurst Street United Church in Toronto.