TORONTO -- With a career spanning a half-century, 1,000 productions and countless accolades, Al Waxman's legacy as a legendary entertainer will soon be permanently cemented with a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
The late screen and stage icon is receiving the annual legends honour which is bestowed posthumously. Waxman joins five other inductees named to Canada's Walk of Fame on Tuesday in Toronto.
Fellow 2016 honourees include NHL Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler -- who grew up in St. Jacobs and played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings -- award-winning singer-songwriter Corey Hart, actor-director Jason Priestley, filmmaker Deepa Mehta, and veteran fashion entrepreneur and journalist Jeanne Beker.
Waxman, who died in 2001 at age 65, launched his career on CBC children's radio in 1949. He is perhaps best known for his starring role on the Canadian TV series "King of Kensington," and also worked south of the border on the '80s detective drama "Cagney & Lacey." His theatrical experience included stints off-Broadway in New York, London's West End and Ontario's Stratford Festival.
Away from the stage and screen, Waxman served two consecutive terms as the vice-president of the Directors Guild of Canada, and was a founding member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, which oversees the annual Canadian Screen Awards.
"We wouldn't have the incredible film and television industry that we have today if it wasn't for Al Waxman," said the late actor's son, Tobaron, who was joined by his mother, Sara, and brother Adam at Tuesday's announcement.
"He laid foundations for what we now know as the (Toronto International Film Festival) as well as the directors' union, the actors' union, and a huge driving force in his life was the working actor and making sure that artists in the film and television industry have jobs.
"I think it's a tremendous honour (for him) to be on the sidewalk with all of these other incredible luminaries in Canada."
Beker was visibly moved as she took to the stage after the inductees were announced. She spoke of her late parents who were Holocaust survivors, and the lessons and values they instilled in Beker that have motivated her throughout her life.
"If my career is to be seen as some kind of big, glorious, yummy cake, this honour is the absolute delectable icing," said Beker, who co-hosted "The New Music" before moving on to helm the internationally syndicated "Fashion Television," which aired for 27 years.
"Sometimes because we get so overshadowed by those blazing lights that come to us from south of the border, or even from European shores, I'm especially proud that I was able to accomplish -- and still hope to accomplish -- by remaining here in Canada."
Canadian country star Brett Kissel will be the recipient of the Allan Slaight Honour, which is presented annually to a young Canadian making a positive impact in the music industry. The award comes with a $10,000 honorarium and will be presented during the upcoming Canada's Walk of Fame gala.
The newest inductees will be honoured at the Allstream Centre in Toronto on Oct. 6, with the event slated to be televised Dec. 18 on Global TV.
