Paul O'Sullivan

'Fearless' Canadian actor Paul O'Sullivan dies in car crash

 

He was not on the list.

When comedic actor Paul O'Sullivan took to the stage his colleagues would frequently try and get him to sing – not only because he had a good voice, but because he could sing a risqué love song, make it gut-wrenchingly hilarious, and get away with it because of his "innate sweetness." According to his fellow actors and admirers, the Canadian actor never knew how truly great he was.

"He was fearless and that was the thing that left most of us in awe" said fellow Canadian improv actor and close personal friend, Colin Mochrie.

Mr. O'Sullivan, a staple in Toronto's comedy community and respected actor, died Friday after his car hit a flat-bed truck parked on the shoulder of Country Road 507, approximately a hour north of Peterborough, Ont. He was 48.

Mr. O'Sullivan was known for his involvement with The Second City, and roles in The Red Green Show, Murdoch Mysteries, Dan for Mayor, and most recently Little Mosque on the Prairie. He also lent his voice to the children's animated series George Shrinks.

"He was one of those actors who, once he was involved with your project, your project was immediately at least 50 per cent better," said Mr. Mochrie, who wrote and acted with Mr. O'Sullivan numerous times over the past decade. "He was truly inspiring to watch and to work with."

Mr. Mochrie and his wife, Little Mosque on the Prairie actress Debra McGrath, said they spent their Saturday "laughing and crying" re-watching Mr. O'Sullivan in The Joe Blow Show and as the lead in CBC's Getting Along Famously.

In his role as Harry on Little Mosque on the Prairie, Mr. O'Sullivan made Ms. McGrath laugh so hard that she "peed into her shoes," Mr. Mochrie said.

Mr. O'Sullivan made it his goal to get Ms. McGrath to crack up in every take that followed and "every time, he came close!" he said.

Actress Sheila McCarthy, another Little Mosque on the Prairie cast member, said though Mr. O'Sullivan was only on set for a few days, he was "hysterically funny" and instantly loved by the rest of the cast. "He really underestimated how well he was respected and how good he was," she said.

Canadian actors and comedy professionals described Mr. O'Sullivan's humble attitude and what Second City CEO Andrew Alexander called a "fundamental decency that informed his work as both a teacher and a performer."

"I consider Paul one of those special Second City folk that brought out the best in his fellow performers" said Mr. Alexander said in an e-mail. "He was a kind, gentle, funny man, and will be missed."

Mr. O'Sullivan taught improv at Toronto's Second City, Humber College, and started a performing arts academy with his partner, actress Linda Kash, in downtown Peterborough.

His death Friday prompted the cancellation of weekend performances at Toronto's Jane Mallett theatre of Lost in Yonkers, which starred Ms. Kash and Ms. McCarthy.

"He's a wonderful performer and a great father and husband," said the theatre's artistic director David Eisner. "Our hearts are very raw and very supportive at the same time to Linda." Lost in Yonkers is scheduled to resume performances on May 23, with New York actress Finnerty Steeves filling in for Ms. Kash's role of Bella.

Mr. O'Sullivan and Ms. Kash, who is known for her role as the Philadelphia Cream Cheese angel, have three daughters and live on a farm outside of Peterborough.

Memorial services will be held in Peterborough on Saturday, and at Second City in Toronto.

Filmography

Film

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1988      High Spirits         Graham               

1995      Memory Run      Video Operator Video

1995      It Takes Two       Bernard Louffier              

1998      Jerry and Tom    Roebuck's Friend             

1998      Dirty Work          A.D.       

2000      The Spreading Ground   Ben Scattergood              

2003      Luck       Bartender           

2009      Zombie Dearest                Mr. Roeder        

2010      Score: A Hockey Musical               Doctor

2012      Flutter Doctor Short film

Television

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1984      Hangin' In            Zolon     Episode: "The Peace Pill"

1994      Forever Knight   Paul Blondell      Episode: "Forward Into the Past"

1994      Side Effects         John Huey           Episode: "The Last Rights"

1996      One Minute to Air                            TV series

1996      Due South           Parking Attendant           Episode: "The Promise"

1996      A Holiday to Love             Ed           TV film

1997      The Red Green Show      Sparky Hoover   Episode: "Big Guy Little Guy"

1997      The Newsroom                 Episode: "The Campaign"

1998      Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy                Stock Agent        TV film

1998      Improv Heaven and Hell                               

1998      Comedy Now!   Various                 Episode: "Skippy's Rangers: The Show They Never Gave"

1998      Once a Thief       Langham              Episode: "True Blue"

1998      SketchCom                         Episode: "Fast & Dirty & Skippy's Rangers"

2000-2003          George Shrinks Harold Shrinks (voice)    Main role (40 episodes)

2001      Club Land            Simon Says          TV film

2002      An American in Canada Roy        Episode: "Pilot"

2002      Puppets Who Kill              Button's Lawyer                Episode: "Buttons Goes to Court"

2003      The Joe Blow Show          Armond                TV series

2003      The Seán Cullen Show    Cardinal               Episode: "Kissing a Nun"

2004      The Bobroom     Various                 TV series

2005      Burnt Toast         Richie    TV film

2006      Getting Along Famously                Beverly Supporting role (6 episodes)

2006-2008          Grossology          The Director (voice)        Main role (30 episodes)

2007      6teen    Eddie (voice)      Episode: "The Journal"

2008-2009          Friends and Heroes         Marcus (voice) Recurring role (13 episodes)

2009      Murdoch Mysteries         Man with cart    Episode: "Big Murder on Campus"

2011      The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!          Whiffy (voice)    Episode: "Sniff and Seek/Aye Aye!"

2011      Dan for Mayor   Radio Host          Episode: "Porktoberfest"

2012      Little Mosque on the Prairie        Harry     Episode: "The Dating Game"