Canadian Celebrity Deaths 2021

Though these famous figures have died, their legacies live on and continue to inspire and delight us. Join us as we remember celebrities who died in 2021.

Les Emmerson (1944 - 2021)

Les Emmerson was a singer-songwriter who wrote the classic rock anthem "Signs," which was a hit song for his band the Five Man Electrical Band.

Marie-Claire Blais (1939 - 2021)

Marie-Claire Blaise was an acclaimed French-Canadian author known for books including “Une Saison Dans la Vie d’Emmanuel” (“A Season in the Life of Emmanuel”). Read More

Peter Aykroyd (1955 - 2021)

Peter Aykroyd was a former cast member and writer for “Saturday Night Live” who was Dan Aykroyd’s brother. Read More

Norm Macdonald (1959 - 2021)

Norm Macdonald was a comedian who anchored “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live” for several years in the 1990s. Read More

Rod Gilbert (1941 - 2021)

Rod Gilbert was a Hall of Fame winger for the New York Rangers known as "Mr. Ranger." Read More

Tony Esposito (1943 - 2021)

Tony Esposito was a legendary Hall of Fame goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks who holds the modern-day record for most shutouts in a season. Read More

Angela Bailey (1962 - 2021)

Angela Bailey was a legendary sprinter on the track who won a silver medal in the 4x100 relay at the 1984 Olympic games and holds the Canadian record in the 100 metres. Read More

Dolores Claman (1927 - 2021)

Dolores Claman was the composer of the extremely popular theme song for CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcasts. Read More

Rene Robert (1948 - 2021)

Rene Robert was a hockey player who was a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ legendary line of the 1970s known as “The French Connection.” Read more

Bob Plager (1943 - 2021)

Bob Plager was a legendary tough defenseman for the St. Louis Blues. He was an original member of the Blues, a fan favorite on the team from 1967 until he retired in 1978. Read more

Rheal Cormier (1967 - 2021)

Rheal Cormier pitched 16 seasons in Major League Baseball for various teams. He won 71 games and was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Read more

Jahmil French (1991 - 2021)

Jahmil French was well known for playing Dave Turner in the popular teen drama series “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” Read more

Walter Gretzky (1938 - 2021)

Walter Gretzky was the father of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky who coached his son on the game when he was growing up. Walter was known for his involvement in charitable causes. Read more

Ralph Backstrom (1937 - 2020)

Ralph Backstrom was a legendary centre who helped the Montreal Canadiens win six Stanley Cups. He won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year in 1959. Read more

Christopher Plummer (1929 - 2021)

Christopher Plummer was a prolific actor whose decades-long career included a star turn as Captain Georg von Trapp in the classic 1965 movie musical “The Sound of Music.” Read more

George Armstrong (1930 - 2021)

George Armstrong was a legendary centre who played 21 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs who helped lead the Leafs win four Stanley Cups. Read more

John Muckler (1934 - 2021)

John Muckler was a legendary NHL coach and GM who was part of the 1980s and 1990 Stanley Cup winning dynasty at Edmonton as assistant coach and one year as head coach. Read more