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The Canadian Screen Awards (CSA) paid tribute to one of the country’s most beloved comedic treasures on Sunday night — and Mike Myers, through tears, paid it right back.
“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.”
The comedian and actor, who was born in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, capped an emotional speech by thanking his native country for helping pave the way to some of his most iconic roles, including in Austin Powers, Wayne’s World and Shrek.
Last year, the Saturday Night Live alum led and popularized the cultural “elbows up” movement in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada.
At the CSA event, he made sure to acknowledge the millions he championed.
“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.”
Myers even gave a shoutout to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), adding that “it’s the better way,” a reference to the public transit system’s slogan.
He also applauded the staff at Canada House in London.
“I was literally down to $10 and they asked me, ‘Do you need a job,’ and I stuffed envelopes,” Myers said.
Colleagues honour Wayne’s World star
As part of the tribute, a montage of his career highlights kicked off with a clip of the comedian proudly declaring, “You can take the boy out of Canada, but you can’t take Canada out of the boy.”
The montage then featured a series of pre-recorded tributes from former co-stars and Hollywood heavyweights, including fellow Canadian Will Arnett, and American entertainers Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, who extolled Myers for giving the world “some of the most memorable characters” and helping “shape the language of comedy and film.”
Myers wiped away tears before taking the stage to accept the award from Kids in the Hall‘s Dave Foley, a fellow Canadian comedian and friend who introduced him.
Hit hockey drama Heated Rivalry won 16 Canadian Screen Awards for its inaugural season, including best lead performer in a drama series for Hudson Williams, who described the show as a ‘seismic’ hit he’s still trying to wrap his head around. Arctic comedy North of North picked up nine awards, including best lead performer in a comedy for Anna Lambe. The star-filled event also honoured the work of actor Mike Myers and the legacy of the late comedy star Catherine O’Hara
“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.”
He then fought back tears as he thanked his “mum and dad for moving to Canada and stressing the importance of being silly,” and his brothers.
Alongside several Canadian institutions, Myers also paid tribute to a number of fellow legendary Canadian screen stars. They included the late John Candy, “for being so nice to me. He didn’t have to be,” Martin Short, whom Myers said was “insanely generous,” Eugene Levy and “the immortal” Catherine O’Hara, who died in March.
