During the recent Canadian Screen Awards ceremony, Mike Myers was honored with the Icon Award, celebrating his significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Born in Scarborough, Toronto, Myers expressed deep gratitude to Canada for shaping his career and iconic roles in films like “Austin Powers,” “Wayne’s World,” and “Shrek.”
Last year, the former “Saturday Night Live” cast member initiated the “elbows up” movement in response to threats against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump. At the awards event, Myers humorously thanked the Canadian taxpayers for their support, jokingly referring to the 40 million Canadians as his allies.
Acknowledging his roots, Myers praised the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the staff at Canada House in London for their help during tough times. Reflecting on his journey, Myers credited Canada for his success and recognized the influence of Canadian screen stars like John Candy, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O’Hara.
The tribute included a montage highlighting Myers’ career milestones and heartfelt messages from colleagues like Will Arnett, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. Overwhelmed with emotion, Myers accepted the award from fellow Canadian comedian Dave Foley, emphasizing the impact of his Canadian upbringing on his comedic style.
In his acceptance speech, Myers expressed love for his home country and his family, including his wife and children who remind him to obtain their Canadian passports. The event concluded with Myers paying tribute to the legacy of Canadian entertainment icons and the importance of embracing silliness, a value instilled in him by his parents.
