Sonja Smits

Birth Name:

Sonja Smits

Birth Place:

Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada

Profession

Actress

Elected president of the board of directors of the Harbourfront Centre in 2009
Nominated for five Gemini Awards, winning in 1988
Received ACTRA Toronto Award for Excellence
Smits is a founding member of the ACTRA Women's Caucus and supporter of a Canadian women's organization called the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)
Smits was nominated for two Genie Awards
Attended Bell High School in Ottawa, as well as Woodroffe High School and South Carleton High School in Richmond, a smaller town outside Ottawa
Smits studied acting at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
Was a member of Centre Stage theatre company in London, Ontario
Quote: "I started out in theatre, you know․ That was my first love․ I went to theatre school, and that's where I started - onstage․ What I like most about theatre is the process․ I love the rehearsal process․"
Quote: "I want to do [roles] because I'll get something out of it, because I think acting is like a precious thing - I don't want to waste it․ I'll do something else․ I'll read a book․"

1984Genie - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:Nominated
1988Gemini - Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Continuing Dramatic Role:Winner
1993Gemini - Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role:Nominated
1994Gemini - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series:Nominated
1999Gemini - Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role:Nominated
2000Gemini - Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role:Nominated
2024ACTRA Toronto Award - Outstanding Performance - Gender Non-Conforming or Female:Nominated
2024Jury Prize - Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Northern Ontario Production:Nominated

Fast Facts