Her husband Ken was at her side. Patrick Mullen is a writer, blogger, film critic, film festival programmer, and social media coordinator. 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). 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. [2] She grew up in Toronto with her mother Grace, a factory worker, and her brother. A decade later, she had a recurring role as a different character (with the same first name) on the seriesNikita. Alberta Watson, a Canadian actress who had roles in the 24 and Nikita dramas over a four-decade movie and TV career, has died. Watson played Erin Driscoll, head of the fictional intelligence agency that employs operative Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). Her first major credit was in Robert Lantos and Claude Hrouxs In Praise of Older Women (1978). She played Dr. Rebecca Myer in the 1980s Buck James TV series, and Erin Driscoll, the head of a counter-terrorist unit, in 24. . I seized the character and made her something. 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). The Canadian actress, who also had roles in the 'La Femme Nikita' and 'Nikita' TV series, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Watson began acting at age 15 with the Theater House of God at the Bathurst Street United Church in Toronto. [4], In Spanking the Monkey, Watson plays her favourite character,[12] a mother who has an incestuous relationship with her son. 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). Her son visits for the summer and she's laid up with a broken leg and things get out of hand. Incredible char and actor. WARNING: Major spoilers for the Season 14 premiere of Heartland are ahead!. - YouTube 0:00 / 1:49 Video unavailable This video contains content from Adrev Affiliate, who has blocked it in your country. All Rights Reserved. [citation needed] In 2005, Watson joined the cast of 24, playing CTU Director Erin Driscoll for 12 episodes of the show's fourth season. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Watson eventually returned to Canada and landed a leading role in La Femme Nikita, which ran from 1997 to 2001. [7] She then returned to Toronto and focused on finding roles in independent films. No details are available on a memorial service for Watson. The original version of this entry was published by When I had to talk to Alberta Watson on set of THE BORDER I was always nervous. Canadian actress Alberta Watson has died after a long battle with cancer. geoff ewart (@geoffewart) March 23, 2015. Yeeeehaaaa! Alberta Watson, Canadian actress, dies after battle with cancer | CBC News Loaded. U.K. agency missed chance to stop attack at Ariana Grandes Manchester concert: report, Travis Scott accused of assaulting nightclub worker, calls incident a misunderstanding. (Surnow was such a fan that he not only hired her again but also named a character in the series, Alberta Green, after her.) 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. 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. She was 60. The subject was incest. 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. [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}. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. Watson died on Saturday at age 60 after a long battle with cancer. heartland actor dies alberta watson. Born in Toronto, Watson started out in acting with a local theater group, and by the 1970s had regular Canadian film and TV roles. 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. (Carlo. She was nominated for Genie Awards for her work in 1978s In Praise of Older Women and 1996s Shoemaker. He has used his social media skills to transform his past interest in blogging about Canadian film Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Madeleine is the most badass character ever. 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. She balanced her work in La Femme Nikita with roles in Canadian films including The Life Before This (1999), Desire (2000), and Deeply (2000). [4] She moved to Los Angeles, California, and later to New York City. 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). In her final performance, Watson played Senator Madeline Pierce when La Femme Nikita was rebooted as Nikita in 2010. Heyn, Christopher. RIP Alberta Watson. [4], Among her well-known film roles are the bed-ridden mother Susan Aibelli in the 1994 American independent film Spanking the Monkey, Lauren Murphy (the mother of Jonny Lee Miller's character Dade, also called "Crash Override"/"Zero Cool") in the 1995 cult film Hackers, and Risa in the 1997 Academy Award-nominated Canadian film The Sweet Hereafter, directed by Atom Egoyan. Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1998. Watson shared the National Board of Review award for Best Ensemble and helped bring the film international recognition. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. 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. 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). Faith Susan Alberta Watson (March 6, 1955 March 21, 2015), better known as Alberta Watson, was a Canadian film and television actress. Her final film role was in the Vancouver-shot Helen (2009), starring Ashley Judd. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 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. Born in Toronto, Watson began performing in theatre and on television while still in her teens. [12][13] Producers at La Femme Nikita worked around her treatment and limited her appearances. 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. It didn't scare me at all. Deeply saddened to hear the wonderful @Alberta_Watson has died. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. During 2007 and 2008, Watson played a supporting role in the Canadian television series The Border as the Minister of Public Safety. I had the pleasure of working with her. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Watson died on March 21, 2015, due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto fifteen days after her 60th birthday.[14]. Courtesy of Everett Collection. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In 1998 Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma. She underwent treatment but continued to act prolifically, often wearing wigs to conceal the effects of chemotherapy. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. After living in the New YorkNew Jersey area for eight years, she returned to Canada and starred in Shoemaker (1996), an early production for the Canadian Film Centres Feature Film Project, which earned her a Genie Award nomination. Best as Madeline in La Femme Nikita/Nikita. After a long battle with cancer, Watson died at the age of 60 from complications of the disease. In 2008, Alberta Watson received a Career Achievement Award from the Boston-based Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. I think Im still in shock about @Alberta_Watsons death. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. The role was turned down by several actresses such as Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange and others. Watsons list of credits includes 24, The Newsroom and The Border as well as movies like Away from Her and The Sweet Hereafter. Watson died at Torontos Kensington Hospice with her husband Ken at her side. "A Conversation with Alberta Watson". Comments are welcome while open. She was 60. Watson re-teamed with La Femme Nikita co-creator Joel Surnow for season four of his hit action-drama 24. [13] When her hair started to regrow, she sported the short haircut in her role as Madeline in the show's third season.[13]. Oh! legislature over commercialization of hard drugs, Milton man accused of murdering armed intruder released on bail. Her Canadian TV series credits include roles in Heartland, The Newsroom, The Border and Show Me Yours. Actress Alberta Watson is photographed during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006, in Toronto. Handout TORONTO Canadian actress Alberta Watson passed away Saturday after a battle with cancer. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Watson then played the grieving and lonely mother, Risa Walker, in Atom Egoyans critically acclaimed The Sweet Hereafter (1997). Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. 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 amassed some devoted fans and engaged with them frequently on fan sites. 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). Lovely woman. Please read our Commenting Policy first. 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. She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. "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. Congrats, Alberta!! And I'm not a name with an image to protect. Winter says Watson "died in the arms of her beloved Ken after a long and incredibly courageous battle.". lp 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. [1], Watson was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1955. A year later she received the Best Actress award at the Yorkton Film Festival for "Exposure". #cdntv, Denis McGrath (@DMcWriterboy) March 23, 2015, I had the pleasure of working with @albertawatson on my first film #alobstertale rent the movie on iTunes to see Albertas great performance, Adam Massey (@lee_adam_massey) March 23, 2015. The subject was incest. Watson earned a Gemini Award in 2011 for her guest role on Heartland.
The House of the Lord Christian Church