Niagara-on-the-Lake native Ryan Belleville is nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy series at next week's 2021 Canadian Screen Awards for his performances in “Workin’ Moms.”
Belleville, 42, began his career with stand-up comedy shows and became the youngest actor to have his own “Comedy Now” episode in 2001.
He previously won the Phil Hartman Award for comedy and a Canadian Comedy Award, and said he is honoured to be nominated for his “Workin' Moms” role.
“We don’t do this for the awards. It’s nice that people actually like your work, that’s a real treat,” Belleville said. The awards will be presented on May 20.
He got into acting when he graduated from high school in Alberta after his family moved from Ontario. He worked as a stand-up comedian for over 20 years and has toured venues across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Winnipeg. He also toured in Australia, Africa and the United States for his stand-up shows.
But over the years, Belleville says his favourite show was on Canada Day 2019 when he performed in Mali for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Acting is in his family’s blood. Both his parents were actors and his brother, Jason Belleville, is an accomplished writer, producer and actor.
Belleville has some simple advice for aspiring actors and actresses wanting to be in the spotlight. “Get out there and take the risk. It’s more fun to take the risk and say that you tried than to never try and always wished you had.”
His parents, Terry and Donna Belleville, still reside in Niagara-on-the-Lake and have lived in the same house for the last 17 years. The family moved to Alberta for business reasons, residing in Calgary for 20 years, but returned to NOTL in 1999.
The Bellevilles have both worked at the Shaw Festival in NOTL, where Terry was the director of public relations. He has also been a writer and director.
Donna joined the acting company after the family moved back to Niagara-on-the-Lake and performed nearly 20 seasons with the Shaw. Prior to their move to Calgary, she spent one season with the festival.
Like any parents, they are proud of their children and what they have become.
“What we’re most proud of, this may sound corny, is the people they are. They’re just really good people, terrific fathers and wonderful husbands. We’re really proud of what they achieved, but the people that they are is what we’re most proud of,” said Terry Belleville.
