Actor / Director Profile

Sonja Smits was born on September 8, 1958 in Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada. She's one of two daughters of Dutch immigrants who ran a dairy farm south of the nation's capitol. Smits attended Bell High School in Bells Corners, Woodroffe High School, and South Carleton High School in Richmond. Sonja studied acting at the Ryerson Polytechnic Institute until she was invited to join the Centre Stage theatre company in London, Ontario. Smits began her acting career on stage; she has acted in stage productions at such theaters as Toronto's Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Calgary, the Beverly Hills Playhouse, and the Toronto Free Theatre. She made her television debut as Lisa in the made-for-TV feature "War Brides" and her theatrical film debut as Mrs. Lynde in the notorious killer kid horror opus "The Pit." Sonja was nominated for a Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her outstanding portrayal of Bianca O'Blivion in David Cronenberg's brilliant "Videodrome." In 1988 Smits won a Genie Award for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Continuing Dramatic Role for her exceptional work as Carrington 'Carrie' Barr on the TV series "Street Legal." She's married to Atlantis Films co-founder Seaton McLean; the couple are the proud parents of two children and reside in the Rosedale neighborhood of Toronto, where they own the Clouson Chase Winery in Prince Edward County. Moreover, Sonja and Seaton also own a farm located close to the winery. Smits was the recipient of ACTRA Toronto's Award of Excellence in 2004. In 2009 Sonja was elected president of the board of directors of the Harbourfront Centre.