Tyrone Benskin
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Tyrone Benskin

Tyrone Benskin is a prominent English-Canadian figure recognized for his extensive career as an actor, theatre director, and his foray into Canadian politics.Born on December 29, 1958, in Bristol, England, Benskin moved to Canada at the age of nine. He has built a remarkable acting career spanning over 25 years, with more than 100 film and television credits. His notable film appearances include blockbusters like "300," "Moonfall," "Chaos Walking," and critically acclaimed films such as "Pieces of a Woman" and "Death of a Ladies' Man." On television, he has made guest appearances in popular shows like "Fargo," "Blood & Treasure," "Transplant," "Reacher," "Joe Pickett," and had a significant role as Turin in "Killjoys." He also lent his voice to animated series such as "Wimzie's House" as Rousso. Beyond the screen, Benskin has a strong background in theatre, gracing stages like the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the National Arts Centre, and the Centaur Theatre in Montreal. He also served as Artistic Director of Black Theatre Workshop, Canada's oldest Black theatre company, and was a National and Executive Councillor for ACTRA, Canada's national film and television actors union.In addition to his artistic achievements, Tyrone Benskin also served in Canadian politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the Jeanne-Le Ber riding in Montreal, Quebec, in the 2011 Canadian federal election. During his term from 2011 to 2015, he held the position of Official Opposition Critic for Canadian Heritage, Canada's cultural ministry. While in office, he advocated for various issues, including the importance of Canadian arts and culture, and spoke on topics such as railway safety and the future of postal services. Benskin's political career, though impactful, also saw him publicly apologize for unpaid provincial taxes, attributing it to the financial instability often experienced in an artistic career.

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