Ontario doesn’t just produce maple syrup and breathtaking lakes—we’ve also been quietly cranking out global superstars for decades. From actors and athletes to musicians and comedians, this province has more celebrity roots than you might expect. Here’s a look at some of the most famous people who proudly call Ontario home.

Music Icons

Drake (Toronto)
Love him or hate him, Drake has shaped global music and pop culture. Born and raised in Toronto, he still reps the 6ix proudly.

Justin Bieber (Stratford)
Justin Bieber went from busking on the streets of Stratford to becoming one of the biggest pop stars of all time. With a Grammy and a global fanbase, his Ontario roots are legendary.

The Weeknd (Scarborough)
Born Abel Tesfaye, The Weeknd is one of the most influential R&B artists today, rising from Toronto’s east end to global stardom.

Shania Twain (Windsor/Timmins)
Shania Twain is country royalty, and her Ontario roots (raised in Timmins) shaped her journey from humble beginnings to sold-out arenas.

Tory Lanez (Brampton)
Controversial but undeniably talented, Tory Lanez made waves with genre-blending hits and mixtapes. Born in Brampton, he helped put a new generation of Ontario hip-hop on the map.

Alanis Morissette (Ottawa)
Alanis took the world by storm in the ‘90s with her raw, emotional lyrics and unforgettable vocals. Her Ottawa upbringing grounded her global rise.

Hollywood & TV Stars

Ryan Gosling (London)
The heartthrob turned critically acclaimed actor was born in London, Ontario, and raised in Cornwall. From The Notebook to La La Land, Gosling keeps showing off his range.

Rachel McAdams (St. Thomas)
Another Notebook alum, Rachel McAdams is a Canadian darling with international charm. She grew up in St. Thomas and even studied theatre at York University.

Eugene Levy & Dan Levy (Hamilton & Toronto)
The Levy father-son duo behind Schitt’s Creek both got their start right here in Ontario. Eugene hails from Hamilton, and Dan grew up in Toronto. They’ve redefined Canadian TV on a global stage.

Catherine O’Hara (Toronto)
Another Schitt’s Creek icon, Catherine O’Hara grew up in Toronto and cut her teeth on SCTV before becoming Moira Rose and stealing all our hearts.

Sports Stars

Wayne Gretzky (Brantford)
No list would be complete without The Great One. Born and raised in Brantford, Gretzky’s influence on hockey is legendary—and his hometown is still proud.

Penny Oleksiak (Toronto)
Canada’s most decorated Olympian was born in Toronto. Penny Oleksiak dominated the pool at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, becoming a national hero before turning 21.

Donovan Bailey (Oakville)
A former world’s fastest man, Bailey was raised in Oakville and brought Olympic gold to Canada in the 1996 Atlanta Games. His legacy in track and field is still strong.

Comedy & Culture

Jim Carrey (Newmarket)
Before becoming a global comedy icon, Jim Carrey was a kid from Newmarket with a wild imagination. The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Eternal Sunshine—he’s done it all.

Samantha Bee (Toronto)
Host of Full Frontal, Samantha Bee cut her teeth in Toronto before making waves as one of the most influential comedic voices in American late night.

Lilly Singh (Scarborough)
From YouTube fame to late-night TV, Lilly Singh has carved her own path as a Scarborough-born creator, comedian, and advocate.

Ontario might be known for cottage country and double-doubles, but we’ve also raised some of the world’s biggest names in music, film, sports, and culture. These icons prove that big dreams can start in small towns—or Scarborough. And honestly, that’s something to be proud of.