Watson died on March 21, 2015 due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto; she was 60 years old. Watson starred in four seasons of La Femme Nikita, along with a return appearance in its fifth season, and earned a Gemini nomination for season two. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. [7], Watson got her first role at age 19 in a CBC movie called Honor Thy Father. I seized the character and made her something. Watsons final credits included such Canadian and independent films as Some Things That Stay (2004), Citizen Duane (2006), A Lobster Tale (2006), and Sarah Polleys Genie-winning Away from Her (2006) opposite Gordon Pinsent, with whom she performed in Chris Landreths Genie-nominated animated short The Spine (2009). Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. [2] Watson said:[7].mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. "Young Actress Is Behind Bars -- For A Movie", "Three Hours On A Plane Is All She Can Stand: Great Escapes - Alberta Watson", "Alberta Watson: The Toughest Woman on Television", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alberta_Watson&oldid=1133861902, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2009, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. It didn't scare me at all. Updates? The subject was incest. Watson continued acting with the hit CBC TV series The King of Kensington and such tax shelter films as Stone Cold Dead (1979), Dirty Tricks (1981), and The Soldier (1982). Her final film role was in the Vancouver-shot Helen (2009), starring Ashley Judd. Her Gary Goddard Agency rep, Pam Winter, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Watson passed away on Saturday at Torontos Kensington Hospice after a long battle with cancer. Her son visits for the summer and she's laid up in a cast with a broken leg and things get out of hand. She won a Gemini Award in 2010. Watson died on March 21, 2015, due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto fifteen days after her 60th birthday.[14]. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Died (60) Add to list Awards 3 wins & 6 nominations Photos 28 Known for Hedwig and the Angry Inch 7.7 It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. The Tony Award-nominated Broadway actor, 41, died in a hospital in Los Angeles after suffering severe medical complications after contracting the coronavirus. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Watson later expressed disappointment with her early television work, but these roles inevitably shaped her career, pushing her to pursue strong, complex characters in projects that challenged her. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Watson's agent Pam Winter says the La Femme Nikitastar died Saturday in Toronto. [4], In Spanking the Monkey, Watson plays her favourite character,[12] a mother who has an incestuous relationship with her son. She played Dr. Rebecca Myer in the 1980s Buck James TV series, and Erin Driscoll, the head of a counter-terrorist unit, in 24. She moved to Los Angeles and landed her first Hollywood role in Michael Manns 1983 horror film, The Keep. She was nominated for Genie Awards for her work in 1978s In Praise of Older Women and 1996s Shoemaker. During 2007 and 2008, Watson played a supporting role in the Canadian television series The Border as the Minister of Public Safety. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). She worked with director Colleen Murphy on the film Shoemaker (1996), for which she received a second Genie nomination for Best Actress. The offbeat black comedy proved to be a defining moment in her career; the film won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and drew largely positive reviews. Winter says Watson "died in the arms of her beloved Ken after a long and incredibly courageous battle.". :)Song: \"We build bridges\" by Liz DurrettWe build bridgesDon't weSometimes need a handDespite our best laid plansDon't weSometimes miss what we hadAnd we struggleDon't weSometimes lose the reasonsBut in the peaceful morningWe can clearly seeWhere we've beenOh, and the tide pulls us out, alrightOh, and the tide pulls us out, alrightOh, when the tide brings us backHow sweet it is She moved south and worked for many years in New York and Los Angeles. Alberta Watson, a Canadian actress who had roles in the 24 and Nikita dramas over a four-decade movie and TV career, has died. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Alternate titles: Faith Susan Alberta Watson. I think Im still in shock about @Alberta_Watsons death. Deeply saddened to hear the wonderful @Alberta_Watson has died. Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1998. [3][8] Early in her career she portrayed the role of Mitzi in George Kaczender's[9] In Praise of Older Women (1978), for which she received a Genie nomination. Alberta Watson, a Canadian actress who had roles in the 24 and Nikita dramas over a four-decade movie and TV career, has died. She followed this with The Prince and Me (2004) and recurring roles in such TV series as Show Me Yours (2004) and Ken Finklemans The Newsroom (2004). avalanche lost father, brother-in-law, family friend in slide, Trudeau says probes into foreign election interference ongoing, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murder of wife, son, Heated debate in B.C. [5] While at the workshop she acted in Hamlet, which was directed by Ren Bonnire,[6] who later directed her in La Femme Nikita. She briefly lived on a communal farm outside the city with other actors before returning to Toronto to act professionally, landing her first role in the CBC TV movie Honour Thy Father (1974). Watsons list of credits includes 24, The Newsroom and The Border as well as movies like Away from Her and The Sweet Hereafter. Alberta Watson, Canadian actress, dies after battle with cancer | CBC News Loaded. Her first major credit was in Robert Lantos and Claude Hrouxs In Praise of Older Women (1978). She followed La Femme Nikita with a string of notable independent films, including The Art of Woo (2001), John Cameron Mitchells Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), Thom Fitzgeralds The Wild Dogs, (2002) and Jeremy Podeswas TV movie, After the Harvest (2001), which brought her another Gemini nomination. Alberta Watson, congrats on your Gemini win 2011, for Heartland! Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. (Carlo. 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Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Outside acting, Watson championed more production in Canada and more opportunities for Canadian actors. Oh! Watson came closer to fame with the role of Madeline, the cunning force on the Canadian syndicated spy series La Femme Nikita, adapted from the 1990 Luc Besson film. [4] She moved to Los Angeles, California, and later to New York City. Faith Susan Alberta Watson (March 6, 1955 March 21, 2015), better known as Alberta Watson, was a Canadian film and television actress. Several high-profile actresses declined the role, including Susan Sarandon, Faye Dunaway, Jessica Lange, and Isabella Rossellini, but Watson relished it, later calling it her best performance and her favourite role. Please read our Commenting Policy first. TV Actresses. legislature over commercialization of hard drugs, Milton man accused of murdering armed intruder released on bail. Her film credits include Atom Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter,Sarah Polley's Away from Her,David O. Russell's Spanking the Monkeyand George Kaczender's In Praise of Older Women. Watson eventually returned to Canada and landed a leading role in La Femme Nikita, which ran from 1997 to 2001. . street, Chinese Canadian parliamentarians among greater targets for interference: Trudeau, Markham caregiver plans to travel, possibly buy new home after $60M lottery win, RCMP believe Slave Lake toddler Jeffrey Dupres, missing for 43 years, is still alive, Survivor of B.C. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Watson died at Toronto's Kensington Hospice with her husband Ken at her side.. A decade later, she had a recurring role as a different character (with the same first name) on the seriesNikita. Watson found additional strong TV work playing Detective Denise McGoohan in Chasing Cain (2001) and Chasing Cain: Face (2002). The Canadian actress, who also had roles in the 'La Femme Nikita' and 'Nikita' TV series, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Comments are welcome while open. In a nod to her La Femme Nikita role, Alberta played a recurring character Madeline Pierce in Nikita, the CW's 20102013 reboot of the film and TV series. All Rights Reserved. I have such wonderful memories, and I cant believe shes gone. Yeeeehaaaa! Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. She was 60. When I had to talk to Alberta Watson on set of THE BORDER I was always nervous. Born in Toronto, Watson started out in acting with a local theater group, and by the 1970s had regular Canadian film and TV roles. Alberta Watson, pictured in an undated publicity photo. Id loved her in so many things, I was star struck. Watson then played the grieving and lonely mother, Risa Walker, in Atom Egoyans critically acclaimed The Sweet Hereafter (1997). Watson shared the National Board of Review award for Best Ensemble and helped bring the film international recognition. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. And I'm not a name with an image to protect. She underwent treatment but continued to act prolifically, often wearing wigs to conceal the effects of chemotherapy. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Many of Watsonspeers and fans took to Twitter to remember her. Renowned for her consistency and reliability, Watson was perhaps best known for the TV series La Femme Nikita (19972001) and 24 (200405), but she also gave memorable performances in David O. Russells Spanking the Monkey (1994), Atom Egoyans The Sweet Hereafter (1997), and John Cameron Mitchells Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001). And I'm not a name with an image to protect. Best as Madeline in La Femme Nikita/Nikita. To read more: http://cbc.ca/1.5638577\r\r Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: http://bit.ly/1RreYWS\r\rConnect with CBC News Online:\r\rFor breaking news, video, audio and in-depth coverage: http://bit.ly/1Z0m6iX\rFind CBC News on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1WjG36m\rFollow CBC News on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1sA5P9H\rFor breaking news on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1WjDyks\rFollow CBC News on Instagram: http://bit.ly/1Z0iE7O\r\rDownload the CBC News app for iOS: http://apple.co/25mpsUz\rDownload the CBC News app for Android: http://bit.ly/1XxuozZ\r\r\rFor more than 75 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. I had the pleasure of working with her. Alberta Watson, in full Faith Susan Alberta Watson, (born March 6, 1955, Toronto, Canadadied March 21, 2015, Toronto), Canadian film and television actress whose career spanned four decades. She balanced her work in La Femme Nikita with roles in Canadian films including The Life Before This (1999), Desire (2000), and Deeply (2000). Watson died at Torontos Kensington Hospice with her husband Ken at her side. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. Incredible char and actor. [citation needed] In 2005, Watson joined the cast of 24, playing CTU Director Erin Driscoll for 12 episodes of the show's fourth season. . Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians. Watson died on Saturday at age 60 after a long battle with cancer. The role was turned down by several actresses such as Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange and others. After a long battle with cancer, Watson died at the age of 60 from complications of the disease. Canadian actress Alberta Watson has died after a long battle with cancer. Watson re-teamed with La Femme Nikita co-creator Joel Surnow for season four of his hit action-drama 24. (Surnow was such a fan that he not only hired her again but also named a character in the series, Alberta Green, after her.) Canadian actress Alberta Watson dies at 60, Ex-husband of Edmonton soldier who tried to kill their children plans to sue Canadian military on Facebook, Ex-husband of Edmonton soldier who tried to kill their children plans to sue Canadian military on Twitter. She was 60. She was 60. I took it because it was a heck of a challenge. ALBERTA WATSON won a Gemini (pretty much, a Canadian Emmy) to Best Performance by an Actress, Guest Role in a Dramatic Series, for her portrayal of Sarah Craven ('Where the Truth Lies', S4 E05, CBC's series Heartland). Although the film received mostly negative reviews, Watsons performance led to appearances on such American television series as Hill Street Blues, The Equalizer, and Law & Order and a continuing role on the short-lived ABC drama Buck James. [2] She grew up in Toronto with her mother Grace, a factory worker, and her brother. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. She was 60. Youll be missed :'(, Dylan Matthews (@iHeyes) March 23, 2015. Madeleine is the most badass character ever. [1], Watson was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1955. It didn't scare me at all. Courtesy of Everett Collection. Besides her turn as the operative Madeline Pierce on La Femme Nikita,Watson became known to TV audiences through roles on 24,The Newsroom,Heartlandand The Border. In 2010, Watson guest-starred in Heartland, a series on CBC Television, and she won a 2011 Gemini Award for her portrayal of Sarah Craven. Death [ edit] In 1998 Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma. The provocative film was controversial when it premiered at the Toronto Festival of Festivals (now the Toronto International Film Festival), but it earned 10 Canadian Film Award nominations, including one for Watson for Best Supporting Actress. She also appeared in The Lookout (2007) with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as well as in the TV series Angelas Eyes (2006), The Border (2008), and Heartland (2010), for which she won a Gemini Award. geoff ewart (@geoffewart) March 23, 2015. She amassed some devoted fans and engaged with them frequently on fan sites. She was 60. zh. Watson gambled by playing the seductive mother in David O. Russells incest-tinged first feature, Spanking the Monkey (1994). [12][13] Producers at La Femme Nikita worked around her treatment and limited her appearances. In 2008, Alberta Watson received a Career Achievement Award from the Boston-based Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. "A Conversation with Alberta Watson". The Canadian Encyclopedia Lovely woman. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 21:52. She played the role of Madeline in La Femme Nikita for four seasons from 1997 to 2001 (with guest appearances in the short fifth season). Omissions? She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. [10], Watson lived in New Jersey for eight years[11] with her husband until they divorced. In a nod to her La Femme Nikita role, Alberta played a recurring character Madeline Pierce in Nikita, the CW's 2010-2013 reboot of the film and TV series. (Theatre House of God),[3] of the Bathurst Street United Church, at age 15. award-nominated role as Madeline on, Her name was the basis for the character Alberta Green, played by, I took it because it was a heck of a challenge. The original version of this entry was published by Corrections? [About her portrayal of the mother in, Choice: The Henry Morgentaler Story (2005). In 2010, Watson guest-starred in Heartland, a series on CBC Television, and she won a 2011 Gemini Award for her portrayal of Sarah Craven. After performing the lead role of Madelaine on the Canadian-made La Femme Nikita series between 1997 and 2001, Watson later played the recurring role of Senator Madeline Pierce on the CWs follow-up Nikita series, also shot in Toronto. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.