Paul Gross

Paul Gross
Gross at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival
Born	Paul Michael Gross April 30, 1959 (1959-04-30) (age 50) Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Occupation	Actor Producer Screenwriter Composer Director
Years active	1985-present
Spouse(s)	Martha Burns (1988 - present)
Official website

Paul Michael Gross (born April 30, 1959),^[1] is a Canadian actor, producer, director, singer and writer born in Calgary, Alberta. He is known for his lead role as Constable Benton Fraser in the television series Due South as well as his 2008 war film Passchendaele, which he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. During Due South's final season, Gross acted as executive producer in addition to starring, wrote the season three opener and finale, the two part series finale and wrote and sang for the show, some of which can be found on the two Due South soundtracks. He later found success with another Canadian TV series, Slings and Arrows.

Early career

Gross studied acting at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, but he left during the third year of his study.^[2] He went back later to complete the half-credit needed to receive his fine arts degree. He appeared in several stage productions, such as Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.^[3] Other productions in which he appeared include Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme and As You Like It.^[3]

After the play Successful Strangers, Gross starred in his first movie, Turning to Stone.

Due South

His role as upright Mountie Benton Fraser in the Due South television series brought him increased recognition. Like fellow actor David Marciano, he didn't want to do the show at first, and creator Paul Haggis didn't even know if he wanted Gross for the role, but following a meeting, Constable Benton Fraser was cast.^[4]

When Due South was resurrected for the third season, Gross returned as Benton Fraser and assumed duties as Executive Producer and writer. He earned an estimated salary of $2–3 million per season, and at the time was the highest paid performer in Canadian entertainment history.^{[citation needed]} He wrote several episodes of the last season of the series. His favourite episodes include "Gift of the Wheelman" and "All the Queen's Horses," and his episodes "Mountie on the Bounty" and "Call of the Wild" are of a similar style.^[4]

Theatre

Gross appeared in the lead role in Hamlet at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2000.

Personal life

Gross married actress Martha Burns in 1987. The couple have two children, Jack and Hannah. Paul is involved with many groups and charities dealing with childhood poverty^{[citation needed]}.

Awards

In 2009, Gross received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.^[5]

Trivia

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (November 2009)

Gross shares the exact same birthday with Canada's current Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. April 30, 1959.

Filmography

Films

Television series

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

External links

• Paul Gross at the The Canadian Encyclopedia
• Paul Gross at the Internet Movie Database
• Paul Gross at Allmovie
• Watch Remembrance, a vignette on Paul Gross for his Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
• Paul Gross at Tv.com
• PaulGross.org
• Paul Gross at Northern Stars