John Dunsworth, the Canadian actor born in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia in 1946, came from a large family of ten children. After high school, he found himself drifting—having left one university and started at another—until he took a drama class on a whim. That decision, made somewhat casually at the time, ended up shaping the trajectory of his entire life.
Following a few years performing on stage in Halifax, Dunsworth landed his first on-screen role in the obscure Canadian film Deep Sea Conspiracy (1987). Though it didn’t bring him widespread recognition, it marked the beginning of his journey in television and film. He continued to take on supporting roles, steadily building his presence in the industry. Among his early appearances was a spot on The Jim Henson Hour (NBC, 1989), which showcased his growing versatility as an actor.
In 1997, Dunsworth appeared in the TV movie Pit Pony, a historical drama centered around life in a coal mining town. When the project transitioned into a television series, he remained with the cast, playing a pivotal role in launching the career of a young Ellen Page. The following year, he starred in a short film titled One Last Shot (1998), portraying the now-iconic character Jim Lahey, a trailer park manager with a flair for the dramatic. That short film would eventually evolve into the immensely popular series Trailer Park Boys (Showcase, 2001–07; Netflix, 2014–), which became one of Canada’s most beloved comedies. It originally aired on Canadian television for several years before being revived by Netflix to the delight of longtime fans.
Throughout his career, Dunsworth continued to take on meaningful roles in other series, including a significant part in Haven (Showcase/Syfy, 2010–15), where he left a strong impression on audiences. He also became a regular cast member in Forgive Me (Super Channel, 2013), a drama that followed the life of a small-town priest, further demonstrating his range as an actor.
John Dunsworth passed away in 2017, leaving behind a legacy that touched both Canadian television and the hearts of those who admired his work.
John Dunsworth’s most acclaimed film is Cloudburst (2011), which stands out as his highest-rated work. On the other hand, his least favorably reviewed film is Trailer Park Boys: Don’t Legalize It (2014), which holds the distinction of being his lowest-rated movie to date.