Mary Walsh: 2005 Courage to Come Back Award Recipient

Mary Walsh with Eric Tripp, representing paton BMO Nesbitt Burns

Mary Walsh with Eric Tripp, representing sponsor
BMO Nesbitt Burns

Mary Walsh was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and was the seventh of eight children. When she was eight months old, she contracted pneumonia and was sent to her aunt's house next door as a precaution. She ended up being raised by her aunt and uncle while her family continued to live next door.

In her teens she sought to escape her rigid Catholic upbringing and her overwhelming sense of abandonment by turning to the bottle. It was at the young age of thirteen that Mary took her first drink. This was the beginning of many years of alcohol abuse.

During this time Mary survived years of battling personal demons to ultimately emerge as one of Canada's most success comedians. She first joined the Newfoundland Travelling Theatre Company and went on to study drama at Ryerson University. Her first play at the Theatre Passe Muraille, Cod on a Stick was a resounding success and shortly after, the CODCO group was officially formed.

Mary has written many plays and has been active with other theatre groups. She was the creator of This Hour Has 22 Minutes and her work ensured that the show was one of Canada's most successful television ventures. Her portrayal of such characters as Marg Delahunty, Miss Eulalia and Dakey Dunn are forever etched in the minds of Canadians. She has directed and starred in numerous plays and many films including The Boys of St. Vincent, New Waterford Girl and Mambo Italiano. She is currently on the air with two shows: Mary Walsh: Open Book and a new sitcom, Hatching, Matching and Dispatching.

In addition to her fame as a writer, director and actor in 2000 Mary was made a Member of the Order of Canada. She has won numerous Gemini awards and received several Honorary Doctorates.

Mary is actively involved in her community. She lives with macular degeneration and has given much support to the Canadian National Institute for the blind. She has served as spokesperson for Oxfam Canada and she is a great supporter of the arts.