TORONTO – Filmmaker Shawn Levy expressed his gratitude upon being recognized on Canada's Walk of Fame, highlighting how his Canadian roots continue to influence his career. The Montreal-born director and producer, celebrated for his role as an executive producer of the Netflix series “Stranger Things” and for directing the newly announced film “Star Wars: Starfighter,” reflected on how filming projects like the “Night at the Museum” series in Canada helped shape his identity.
Levy was one of nine notable individuals honored during the Walk of Fame gala, which took place in Toronto on June 14, 2025. With this induction, he joins a prestigious group of more than 230 Canadians who have received a star in Toronto's entertainment district. On the red carpet, Levy stated, “My Canadian identity and my Canadian history is a huge part of why I think I am who I am and achieved what I’ve achieved.” He emphasized the “humility and civility” that he attributes to his Canadian upbringing.
The gala also celebrated the achievements of eight other prominent figures, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), acclaimed golfer Mike Weir, and the rock band Our Lady Peace, who is marking their 30th anniversary. Our Lady Peace took center stage with lead singer Raine Maida mentioning the energetic atmosphere of performing for Canadian fans. He recounted a concert in Edmonton coinciding with Canada's Four Nations Face-Off victory, where the audience broke into the national anthem, “O Canada,” right after their first song, creating a unifying and celebratory atmosphere.
TIFF was acknowledged during the event as it commemorated 50 years of enhancing Canada's film industry. CEO Cameron Bailey announced upcoming Canadian films, including Ryan Reynolds’ documentary about the famous comedian John Candy, along with other projects set to be revealed ahead of the festival in September. Bailey expressed TIFF's steadfast commitment to supporting Canadian storytellers, stating, “We’ve long been supporters of the Canadian storytellers that are our homegrown storytellers.”
The induction gala also highlighted the accomplishments of several other honorees, such as guitarist Liona Boyd, actress Tonya Williams, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Tirone David, War Child Canada founder Dr. Samantha Nutt, and hotelier Isadore Sharp. Tonya Williams, well-known for her 19-year role as Dr. Olivia Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” is also the founder and executive director of the Reelworld Screen Institute, an organization aimed at increasing opportunities for diverse filmmakers in Canada. She expressed hope that her recognition would inspire a new generation of young, racialized creators, noting her excitement when seeing young people dedicated to their goals.
For Walk of Fame CEO Jeffrey Latimer, the key distinguishing feature of this year's induction class is the diversity of talents being celebrated. He remarked, “We have such unique voices from such unique people. The connective tissue is that they’re all the best at what they do in their professions.”
The induction ceremony will be aired in a televised version on July 1 at 7 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem, allowing a wider audience to witness this celebration of Canadian talent and achievement.
