Tom Jackson (actor)

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Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson, 2005
Born October 27, 1948 (1948-10-27) (age 63)
One Arrow Reserve, Saskatchewan, Canada
Occupation Actor, Singer

Thomas Dale Jackson, OC (born 27 October 1948), is a Canadian born Métis actor and singer perhaps best known for the annual series of Christmas concerts, called the Huron Carole, which he created and starred in for 17 years. He is the Chancellor of Trent University.

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[edit] Life and career

A Métis,[1] Jackson was born to Rose, a Cree, and Marshall, an Englishman, on the One Arrow Reserve near Batoche, Saskatchewan. He moved with his family to Namao, Alberta, at age seven. They moved again to Winnipeg when he was fourteen. A year later, he dropped out of high school and lived on the streets for several years.

As an actor he has starred in TV shows such as North of 60 and Shining Time Station where his character Billy Twofeathers debuted in its Halloween episode Scare Dares, and made a guest appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation in the season seven episode Journey's End. His films include The Diviners. He also starred in Grizzly Falls, in 1999. His film career remains active with his appearance in the horror thriller, Skinwalkers ( 2007).

He has also released several albums of country and folk music.[2]

He now resides in Calgary with his wife Alison and four children.

[edit] Philanthropy

A well-known philanthropist, Jackson created an annual series of Christmas concerts called the Huron Carole. Featuring Jackson and numerous other Canadian singers and performers, the Huron Carole troupe travels across the country each year, raising money for the Canadian Association of Food Banks. An album of Christmas songs recorded to tie-in with the tour is an annual best seller in Canada. After 17 years, Jackson retired the Huron Carole and in its place launched Singing for Supper, a cross-Canada tour that plays smaller community venues raising money and gifts of food, during the 2005 Christmas season.

After "North of 60"'s cast member Mervin Good Eagle committed suicide in 1996, Tom started the Dreamcatcher Tour.

In the spring of 1997 Jackson's home town was bracing for "the flood of the century" that had already put towns south of the US/Canada border under water. Jackson was instrumental in organizing flood relief concerts across the nation (Calgary, Winnipeg).[citation needed]

[edit] Honorary degrees

Jackson has been honoured several times for his life's work. Most notably in 2000 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and is a former member of the Order of Canada Advisory Council. He has been nominated for Juno Awards and Gemini Awards. He has also received honours from several Canadian universities, including honorary degrees from the University of Calgary, Trent University and the University of Lethbridge. He also received the Humanitarian Award at the 2007 Juno Awards due to his charitable efforts.[1]PDF (46.2 KiB)

On April 14, 2009, Jackson was announced as the tenth chancellor for Trent University.[3]

[edit] Filmography

This filmography has been adapted from IMDb.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Year Album
1990 Sally Ann
Love, Lust and Longing
1996 No Regrets
1997 Home This Christmas
That Side of the Window
2001 I Will Bring You Near
2006 Singing for Supper On Tour
2011 ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

[edit] Singles

Year Single CAN Country Album
1989 "No Regrets" 43 No Regrets
1995 "Few and Far Between" 47
"Humble Me"
1997 "Dance with the Devil" That Side of the Window
1998 "Before the Owl Calls My Name"
"That Side of the Window"
2002 "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" I Will Bring You Near
2009 "The Gift" `Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Academic offices
Preceded by
Roberta Bondar
Chancellor of Trent University
2009-present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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