University Of Toronto Notable Alumni
Emma Newman
Updated on January 16, 2026
Discover the notable alumni of University Of Toronto. The list includes people like Donald Sutherland, Alexander Graham Bell, Margaret Atwood, Stana Katic & Lester B. Pearson. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as leaders, writers, lawyers & judges, film & theater personalities and intellectuals & academics etc.
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Birthdate: January 22, 1949
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hanford, California, United States
Stephen Perry, the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey, was named "The Voice" by legendary singer Jon Bon Jovi. One of Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time,” Perry also had a successful solo career. He is part of the Songwriter's and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.
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Stana Katic(Known for Her Portrayal of 'Detective Kate Beckett' in the TV Series 'Castle')
Birthdate: April 26, 1978
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Hamilton, Canada
Stana Katic is a Canadian-American actress known for playing Kate Beckett on the crime-comedy-drama TV series Castle. Apart from acting in films and TV series, Katic also works toward protecting the environment; in 2010, she established the Alternative Travel Project, which encourages people to abandon personal vehicles for a day to reduce the impact of personal vehicles on the environment.
Birthdate: November 18, 1939
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ottawa, Canada
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian poet and novelist. Her works encompass themes, such as religion and myth, climate change, and gender and identity. An award-winning writer, many of Atwood's works have been made into films and television series; her work, The Handmaid's Tale, has had several adaptations. Perhaps, Margaret Atwood's most important contribution is her invention of the LongPen device.
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Victor Garber(Best Known for His Roles as 'Jack Bristow' in the Drama Series 'Alias' (2001–2006))
Birthdate: March 16, 1949
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: London, Canada
Victor Garber is a Canadian singer and actor best known for his work in theatre, television, and film. Over the years, Garber has received nominations for several prestigious awards, such as Primetime Emmy Awards and Tony Awards. His work in critically acclaimed movies like Titanic, Argo, and Milk was also appreciated with Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: September 3, 1963
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Fareham, United Kingdom
Malcolm Gladwell is best known for his bestselling books The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers. He has also written for The New Yorker and The Washington Post. His writings encompass subjects such as psychology, economics, and sociology. Gladwell has also co-founded a podcast company and hosts the podcast Revisionist History.
Birthdate: April 30, 1959
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Leaside, Toronto, Canada
Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician and economist. From 2006 to 2015, Harper served as the prime minister of Canada. In 2019, he was made the Companion of the Order of Canada for his service to the nation and for his illustrious career in politics.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: November 14, 1891
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Alliston, New Tecumseth, Canada
Died: February 21, 1941
Frederick Banting was a Canadian medical scientist and physician. In 1923, Banting and Scottish biochemist John James Rickard Macleod received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of insulin and its therapeutic potential. Aged 32 at that time, Banting remains the youngest Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine. He was knighted by King George V in 1934.
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David Cronenberg(Film Director Known for Body Horror Genre Films Such as 'Shivers', 'Scanners' and 'Videodrome')
Birthdate: March 15, 1943
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
David Cronenberg is a Canadian actor, film director, and screenwriter. He is considered a pioneer in what is known as the body horror genre. His films have earned numerous awards, and he has both earned critical acclaim and sparked controversy due to the nature of his work. He often collaborates with fellow actor Viggo Mortensen.
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Julie Payette(29th Governor General of Canada Who Served from 2017 to 2021)
Birthdate: October 20, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Canadian engineer and astronaut Julie Payette has been the Governor General of Canada from 2017 to 2021. She was initially a research scientist and then joined the Canadian Space Agency, eventually completing two spaceflights. Payette resigned as governor general after a workplace review accused her of workplace harassment.
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Naomi Klein(Canadian Author and Activist Best Known for Her Books: ‘No Logo’, ‘The Shock Doctrine’ and ‘This Changes Everything’)
Birthdate: May 5, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
Canadian author, social activist, and filmmaker Naomi Klein is known for her criticism of corporate globalization and capitalism. She became internationally known following the release of her alter-globalization book No Logo. She often appears on global and national lists of top influential thinkers and is the recipient of the 2016 Sydney Peace Prize. She is a prominent environmentalist as well.
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Robert Herjavec(Investor & Founder of ‘The Herjavec Group’, One of the Largest IT & Computer Security Companies in Canada)
Birthdate: September 14, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Varaždin, Croatia
Investor Robert Herjavec founded the internet security software BRAK Systems, which he later sold to AT&T. He also established the Herjavec Group and turned it into one of Canada’s biggest IT security firms. He has also appeared in Dragons' Den and Shark Tank, and has authored several business books.
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Norman Jewison(Canadian Film and Television Director, Producer and Founder of the 'Canadian Film Centre')
Birthdate: July 21, 1926
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
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Maye Musk(Billionaire Businessman Elon Musk’s Mother)
Birthdate: April 19, 1948
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
A successful model and entrepreneur, Maye Musk is also a trained dietician, having a master's degree in dietetics and another in nutritional science. Born in Canada, but raised and married in South Africa, she later returned to her birth country, where she continued modeling, appearing on covers of numerous journals, concurrently running a business as a dietitian, giving presentations worldwide.
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Caterina Scorsone(Known for playing Dr. Amelia Shepherd on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy (2010–present))
Birthdate: October 16, 1981
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: September 12, 1943
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Michael Ondaatje is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian poet, writer, and filmmaker. Born in Sri Lanka, he eventually migrated to Canada. He studied at Bishop's University and embarked on a teaching career. His literary works include poems, novels, and essays. He is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Giller Prize and the Booker Prize.
Birthdate: November 17, 1944
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Lorne Michaels is a Canadian-American television producer, comedian, and screenwriter. He is credited with creating and producing one of the most popular American TV sketch comedy and variety shows, Saturday Night Live. With 91 nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards under his belt, Lorne Michaels holds the record for having the most nominations by an individual in the award show's history.
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Paul Shaffer(Known for Being David Letterman’s Musical Director, Bandleader, and Sidekick for Over 30 Years)
Birthdate: November 28, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Thunder Bay, Canada
Best known as the band leader in Late Night with David Letterman and the Late Show with David Letterman, Paul Shaffer is a Grammy Award-winning Canadian multi-instrumentalist and singer. He co-wrote the 1980s’ hit It's Raining Men sung by the Weather Girls and later revived by Geri Halliwell.
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Gail Kim(Wrestler)
Birthdate: February 20, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
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Scott Speedman(Actor)
Birthdate: September 1, 1975
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hammersmith, London, England
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
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Sarah Gadon(Actress who gained recognition for her roles in David Cronenberg's films A Dangerous Method (2011), Cosmopolis (2012), and Maps to the Stars (2014))
Birthdate: April 4, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
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Enrico Colantoni(Actor Best Known for His Roles in the Sitcom ‘Just Shoot Me!’ and the TV Series ‘Veronica Mars')
Birthdate: February 14, 1963
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Enrico Colantoni is a Canadian actor and director best known for his role in the sitcom Just Shoot Me! He received his training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Yale School of Drama. He began his career as an actor in the 1980s and appeared in a string of successful TV series. He is also a director.
Birthdate: December 4, 1945
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Canada
Canadian neurologist, educator, scientist, astronaut and photographer Roberta Bondar CC OOnt FRCPC FRSC is noted as the first female astronaut and the first neurologist of Canada to travel into space. She flew as part of the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-42 and performed over forty experiments in Spacelab. She later served as head of an international team of researchers at NASA.
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David Sutcliffe(Actor Known for Playing 'Christopher Hayden' on the Television Series 'Gilmore Girls')
Birthdate: June 8, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
David Sutcliffe is a Canadian-American former actor best known for portraying the role of Christopher Hayden in the popular TV series Gilmore Girls. Also known for his philanthropic efforts, David Sutcliffe helped raise money for programs concerning children's mental health in 2013. He also participated in the World Poker Tour to benefit the Hollygrove House charity.
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Lyse Doucet(Canadian Journalist, BBC’s Chief International Correspondent and Senior Presenter)
Birthdate: December 24, 1958
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bathurst, Canada
Lyse Doucet is a Canadian journalist who works with the popular broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). She is BBC's current Chief International correspondent. One of the most respected and decorated Canadian journalists of all time Lyse Doucet has received several prestigious awards, such as the Royal Television Society Award, Peabody Award, David Bloom Award, and a Silver Sony Award.
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Michael Wincott(Canadian Actor Known for His Deep, Raspy Voice)
Birthdate: January 21, 1958
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Michael Wincott is a Canadian actor best known for his deep, raspy voice. Thanks to his voice, Wincott is often cast to play villainous roles. Among his best-known roles are Guy of Gisborne in the 1991 American action adventure film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Top Dollar in the 1994 superhero film The Crow.
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John Roberts(Journalist)
Birthdate: November 15, 1956
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Erving Goffman(The Most Influential American Sociologist of the Twentieth Century)
Birthdate: June 11, 1922
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mannville, Alberta, Canada
Died: November 19, 1982
Canadian-American sociologist, social-psychologist and writer Erving Goffman, regarded as the most influential American sociologist of the 20th century by some, is best-known for his study of symbolic interaction and development of his dramaturgical analysis. His book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life was the first that treated face-to-face interaction as a subject of sociological study.
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Lin Chi-ling(Actress)
Birthdate: November 29, 1975
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
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Jonathan Crombie(Canadian Voice Over Artist and Actor)
Birthdate: October 12, 1966
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died: April 15, 2015
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Birthdate: December 30, 1869
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Swanmore, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Died: March 28, 1944
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William B. Davis(Known for His Role as the 'Cigarette Smoking Man' on the TV Series 'X-Files')
Birthdate: January 13, 1938
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
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Paul Martin(21st Prime Minister of Canada (2003 - 2006))
Birthdate: August 28, 1938
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Windsor, Canada
Though a qualified lawyer, Paul Martin never practiced law. He focused on business instead and purchased the domestic-freight carrier Canada Steamship Lines. He later joined the Liberal Party and also served as the prime minister of Canada. He has also received awards such as the Companion of the Order of Canada.
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Peter Munk(Engineer)
Birthdate: November 8, 1927
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Budapest
Peter Munk was a Hungarian-Canadian investor, businessman, and philanthropist. He is credited with founding numerous high-profile business ventures, such as Clairtone Sound Corporation Limited, Barrick Gold Corporation, and TrizecHahn Corporation. He also helped found the Peter and Melanie Munk Charitable Foundation which has given away over $300 million to various non-profit organizations that aim at improving the lives of Canadians.
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Paul Hellyer(Politician, Ufologist, Writer)
Birthdate: August 6, 1923
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Waterford, Ontario
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Alan Taylor(Film director)
Birthdate: 1965 AD
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
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Mary Ainsworth(American-Canadian Developmental Psychologist Known for Her Work in the Development of the Attachment Theory)
Birthdate: December 1, 1913
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Glendale, Ohio, United States
Died: March 21, 1999
American-Canadian developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth is best remembered for her contributions in developing the attachment theory. She devised the Strange situation procedure during the 1970s to observe early emotional connect and relationship between a caregiver and child. She was ranked as the 97th most cited psychologist of the 20th century in a 2002 survey of Review of General Psychology.
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John McCrae(Poet and Soldier Best Known as the Author of War Memorial Poem 'In Flanders Fields')
Birthdate: November 30, 1872
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Died: January 28, 1918
Best known for his iconic war poems such as In Flanders Fields, Canadian poet John McCrae was also an army physician. He was the first Canadian to serve as a consulting surgeon for the British Army and had earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Army.
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David Shore(Film director, Screenwriter, Film producer, Writer, Lawyer)
Birthdate: July 3, 1959
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London
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Lee Jae-yoon(For his roles in the television dramas My Love By My Side (2011), Heartless City (2013), and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2015–2016))
Birthdate: December 15, 1984
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Birthdate: March 4, 1890
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Gravenhurst, Canada
Died: November 12, 1939
Canadian thoracic surgeon Norman Bethune served as an army physician for the Canadian Army during World War I. He revolutionized medical science by introducing the concept of mobile blood-transfusion. A Communist Party of Canada member, he later served the Chinese army against Japan, becoming a revered name in China.
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Jordan Claire Robbins(Actress best known for her role in The Umbrella Academy television series)
Birthdate: January 24, 1990
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bermuda
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
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Ted Kotcheff(Film director)
Birthdate: April 7, 1931
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
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Amanda Obdam(Model)
Birthdate: June 17, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Phuket, Thailand
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
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Rohinton Mistry(Writer)
Birthdate: July 3, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bombay, India
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Catherine McKenna(Politician)
Birthdate: August 5, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Paul Sun-Hyung Lee(Canadian TV Host and Actor)
Birthdate: August 16, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Daejeon, South Korea
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is a Canadian TV host and actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Appa in the television adaptation of Ins Choi's play Kim's Convenience. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee's performance in the series earned him four Canadian Screen Awards under the Best Actor in a Comedy Series category.
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Sue Johanson(Canadian Public Speaker, Sex Educator, and Registered Nurse)
Birthdate: March 16, 1930
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Guy Gavriel Kay(Lawyer, Writer)
Birthdate: November 7, 1954
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Weyburn
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Northrop Frye(Canadian Literary Critic and and Philosopher)
Birthdate: July 14, 1912
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Died: January 23, 1991
Considered one of the most important literary theorists of the century, Herman Northrop Fry gained international fame with his first book, Fearful Symmetry: A Study of William Blake and later with Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Prolific writer and respected educator, he went on to write many more, concurrently championing Canadian literature and identity, receiving several honors for his contributions.
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Gerald Bull(Aerospace engineer, Engineer, Inventor)
Birthdate: March 9, 1928
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ontario
Died: March 22, 1990
Gerald Vincent Bull was a Canadian artillery expert, known for designing Project Babylon supergun for the Government of Iraq. His idea was to do away with the conventional rockets by firing satellites into orbit from a 156m-long barrel embedded inside a hill. However, his assassination within two years of the start of the project put an end to it.
Recommended Lists:In Ontario, Canada lies the University of Toronto, which is a public research university which was founded in 1827. The university is renowned for its programs in literary criticism and communication theory. Commonly known as U of T, University of Toronto has found itself in the top of Canada’s leading institutions, where learning, innovation and creative creation is honed and celebrated. With undergraduate, graduate and professional courses, the university has shown fruitful results in the past and strives to enhance the quality of its research and teachings, in the future. The academic programs include Arts and Science, Industrial Relations, Film Studies, Engineering, Renaissance Studies, Humanities and so on. This is supported by the state-of-the-art campus and the academic proficiency of its noteworthy faculty. With research being its core area of expertise, University of Toronto has been ranked the second in the world for research performance, by The University Ranking by Academic Performance. It has also been deemed as Canada’s top medical-doctoral university for eleven consecutive years, by Maclean’s magazine. This prestigious institution has an alumni list which includes several remarkable personalities who have left their mark in various areas of study. John Charles Fields, William Fredrick King, Preet Banerjee and Hart Hanson were all once students of the esteemed University of Toronto. It is a pleasant surprise as to how many prominent politicians, historians, businessmen, journalists and scientists had their humble beginnings in University Of Toronto. Take a look at the list, to find out.
