“We are thrilled to introduce the new on-camera Outstanding Performance Commercial category for the 23rd ACTRA Awards in Toronto. This new category is in recognition of the resiliency of ACTRA commercial performers across the country, with a spotlight on those ACTRA Toronto performers who continue to bring excellence to Canadian commercial productions.”
Kate Ziegler, ACTRA Toronto President
(4-minute read)
Edwin A. Baker in Heritage Minute, “Edwin A. Baker” (Historica Canada, in conjunction with Scopitone Films)
Known for his roles as Lieutenant Hemmer on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Dr. Adam Viri in CTV’s Transplant, Philo Farnsworth in Warehouse 13, and Lieutenant Edwin Baker in Historica.ca’s “Heritage Minute”. Bruce Horak is a Legally Blind Canadian Performer and Creator who has appeared on stages across the nation for over 30 years. He was recently awarded the King Charles III medal by Governor General Mary Simon for advocacy and representation in Disability Arts. Horak is currently appearing at the Shaw Festival in Wait Until Dark and Murder on the Lake and as a member of Spontaneous Theatre will bring Goblin:Oedipus to the Forum Series at the Stratford Festival in October. Bruce is deeply honoured to be nominated this year for an ACTRA award.
Stefan the Elf on the Shelf in Walmart Canada’s “Holiday Helpers” (Cossette Toronto)
Tony Kim is a Vietnamese-Canadian actor/entertainer with an inexplicable Korean last name. Since his first role as “Butterfly” in his first-grade school play, Tony has delighted in being able to perform and move audiences just as he had been moved by all the performances he’s been an audience to. Tony has had the honour of a long-standing eight-year run as a host of CBC Kids and is thankful everyday that he gets to do what he loves for a living. Armed with silly voices, silly faces and silly jokes, Tony has it all…as long as it’s silly. There’s probably more this Vancouver-Toronto transplant to talk about because 150 words ain’t that much. Buy him a drink, hope he isn’t overcome with social anxiety, and you could learn more about this enigma of a human.
Boyfriend in Rogers’ “Wish You Were Here” (Publicis Toronto)
Brandon McKnight, a graduate of the CFC Actors Conservatory, is best known for his fan-favourite role as “Chester Runk” on the CW series The Flash. He also appeared in the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water, as well as in Most Dangerous Game alongside Christoph Waltz and Liam Hemsworth, Morningside and A Hundred Lies. McKnight was featured in the A&E movie You Brought the Sunshine, produced by Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott.
As a filmmaker, McKnight wrote, directed, executive produced and starred in Left Behind (2015). His short film Roadmarks has been showcased at several prestigious film festivals, including the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Montreal and Toronto Black Film Festivals.
Most recently, McKnight performed in a critically acclaimed remount of Ins Choi’s Kim’s Convenience, directed by Weyni Mengesha for Soulpepper Theatre, set to tour the U.S. in 2025 and 2026.
McKnight is based in Toronto.
Staples’ “Black Friday” (MIJO/XR)
Sally Nakazi was born in Damascus, Syria, and spent most of her childhood summers in Zahlé, Lebanon. As a child, she learned Arabic, French, English and very basic Armenian. She moved with her family during her early teen years and later on attended the University of Toronto where she pursued a double major in actor training and Political Science. During the later years of her studies, Sally was offered an internship with a European theatre company specializing in Modern Commedia dell’ Arte, a form of mask theater. This form of improvisational work gave her the opportunity to travel to destinations including Paris, Amsterdam and New York City. She has also trained at LB Acting Studio under Lewis Baumander. Sally’s most recent projects include voice work in Ubisoft’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and the lead role in Banned, a feature film written and directed by Reem Morsi.
Mom in Subway Canada’s “Holiday Festive Faves” (Dentsu)
Nadine is a born and raised Torontonian. Has always wanted to be a actor from the time she played Mary in the Nativity Play at her Nursery school. She had to wait a bit longer to get her big break before she got her career started being cast in the North American Premier company of Mamma Mia! and has never looked back.
