When it comes to Toronto Sun readers' favourite homegrown actresses, the late, great Catherine O'Hara takes the top spot. The comedy icon, who passed away in January at age 71, is celebrated for her unforgettable roles on SCTV, Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Schitt's Creek.
1. Catherine O'Hara
O'Hara began her career as a coat check girl and waitress at Second City in Toronto. She credited the city's vibrant comedy scene in the 1970s for nurturing her talent. Her sister is singer Mary Margaret, but Catherine found her calling in improv theatre. From Second City to television's SCTV, she created memorable characters like Lola Heatherton and Dusty Towne, winning an Emmy for writing before a remarkable film career. She worked until the end in The Studio from Seth Rogen, who called her a genius, and appeared in The Last of Us and Martin Short's documentary Marty: Life is Short.
2. Rachel McAdams
Born in London, Ontario, McAdams graduated from York University in Toronto. She gained fame as Regina George in Mean Girls, followed by roles in The Notebook, Wedding Crashers, and Spotlight, for which she earned an Oscar nomination. In 2026, she starred in Get Help and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
3. Elisha Cuthbert
Born in Calgary, Cuthbert is an honorary Torontonian after marrying former Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf in 2013. She started as a child actress on Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Popular Mechanics for Kids, then moved to Hollywood for 24, The Girl Next Door, and House of Wax. She later starred in Happy Endings and The Ranch.
4. Sarah Polley
Toronto-born Polley, daughter of casting director Diane Elizabeth Polley, began as a child star in Ramona and Road to Avonlea. Her acting credits include The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Exotica, and The Sweet Hereafter. As a writer-director, she earned acclaim for Away from Her, Take This Waltz, and Stories We Tell. She won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Women Talking.
5. Nina Dobrev
Born in Bulgaria and raised in Scarborough, Dobrev is best known for The Vampire Diaries. She broke out on Degrassi: The Next Generation and appeared in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and XXX: Return of Xander Cage. She studied at Toronto Metropolitan University. She was engaged to snowboarder Shaun White from October 2024 until they separated in September 2025.
Toronto Sun readers are encouraged to suggest future Top 5 topics via email to torsun.online@sunmedia.ca.
