Veteran comedian and actor Mike Myers was overcome with emotion as he accepted the prestigious Icon Award at the Canadian Screen Awards on Sunday night. The honour, which recognizes an individual’s lasting contributions to the entertainment industry both in Canada and internationally, celebrated a career that has made Myers one of the country’s most recognizable cultural exports.
Known for creating beloved characters in franchises such as Austin Powers, Wayne’s World, and Shrek, the actor used his acceptance speech to express his gratitude to the country that helped shape his life and career.
“I’d Literally Be Nothing Without You”
As he stepped on stage to accept the award, Myers struggled to hold back tears while reflecting on his Canadian roots.
“I just want to say Canada, I don’t know what to say dude,” said Myers after accepting the CSA’s Icon Award, which recognizes ongoing contributions to the industry, both at home and abroad. “I’d literally be nothing without you.”
Born in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, Myers credited Canada for providing the foundation that ultimately led to his success in film and television. Throughout his speech, he repeatedly highlighted the role his home country played in helping him achieve international fame.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Canadians
The comedian also took a moment to acknowledge the support he has received from Canadians throughout his career.
“I want to thank the Canadian taxpayer,” Myers said to chuckles and cheers. “I really do actually, because I always say to my American friends I had a big ally on my hands — I had 40 million people behind me.”
The audience responded warmly as Myers continued to celebrate the institutions and people who had supported him over the years. He even gave a playful nod to Toronto’s public transportation system, saying that the TTC is “the better way,” referencing the transit authority’s well-known slogan.
Myers also recalled an early chapter of his career while living in London, praising the staff at Canada House for helping him during a difficult period.
“I was literally down to $10 and they asked me, ‘Do you need a job,’ and I stuffed envelopes,” Myers said.
Hollywood Stars Pay Tribute
Before Myers took the stage, the ceremony featured a special tribute montage showcasing some of the most memorable moments from his decades-long career.
The video opened with a clip of Myers proudly declaring, “You can take the boy out of Canada, but you can’t take Canada out of the boy.”
The tribute also included messages from several former co-stars and Hollywood celebrities, including fellow Canadian Will Arnett, along with Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. The stars praised Myers for creating unforgettable characters and leaving a lasting impact on comedy and film.
As the montage played, Myers was visibly emotional, wiping away tears before receiving the award from fellow Canadian comedian Dave Foley of Kids in the Hall.
Family and Friends at the Centre of His Success
Despite the emotional atmosphere, Myers still found room for humour during his speech.
“I had a whole speech written about how much I love Canada, but I suspect some of you might be sick of hearing that at this point,” Myers quipped before thanking his “wife, Kelly, and my kids … who bug me every day to get their Canadian passports.”
The actor then became emotional once again as he reflected on his family, particularly his parents.
He fought back tears while thanking his “mum and dad for moving to Canada and stressing the importance of being silly,” as well as his brothers, who have remained important influences throughout his life.
Honouring Canadian Entertainment Legends
Myers also used the occasion to recognize some of the Canadian performers who inspired him throughout his career.
Among those he paid tribute to was the late John Candy, whom he remembered “for being so nice to me. He didn’t have to be.” He also praised Martin Short, describing him as “insanely generous,” and acknowledged Eugene Levy and “the immortal” Catherine O’Hara.
The emotional speech served as a reminder of Myers’ deep connection to Canada and the entertainment community that helped launch his remarkable journey from Scarborough to Hollywood stardom.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. He holds CAVCO Personnel Number SINH0106. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
