When people think of celebrity hotspots, cities like Los Angeles or New York usually steal the spotlight. But Ottawa, Canada’s quiet and understated capital, has produced some seriously big names in music, film, and comedy. These celebrities from Ottawa might not wear their hometown on their sleeve, but once you find out where they’re from, you’ll never look at the city the same way again.
Here are five stars you didn’t know were connected to Ottawa—and their stories might just shock you.
1. Ryan Reynolds – From Glebe Hallways to Global Stardom
While he was born in Vancouver, Ryan Reynolds has strong ties to Ottawa, where he spent part of his teenage years. He attended high school at the prestigious Kitsilano Secondary School before making his early acting appearances on shows like Hillside (also known as Fifteen). Reynolds credits his Canadian upbringing—including his time in Ottawa—for giving him a grounded perspective in the chaotic world of Hollywood.
Now one of the highest-paid actors in the world, Reynolds is known for roles in Deadpool, The Proposal, and Free Guy, as well as owning stakes in Mint Mobile, Aviation Gin, and Wrexham AFC. Not bad for a guy who once walked the halls of an Ottawa high school.
2. Tom Green – The Shock Comic Who Made Ottawa Weird (in a Good Way)
Before Jackass, before viral pranks, before podcasting became cool, there was Tom Green—Ottawa’s original provocateur. Born and raised in the capital, Green got his start on Ottawa community television before his MTV show The Tom Green Show became a cult sensation in the late ’90s. Known for surreal, gross-out humor and a fearless willingness to push boundaries, Green’s brand of comedy helped define a generation.
After moving to Hollywood, he appeared in films like Road Trip and Stealing Harvard, and famously married Drew Barrymore (briefly). Despite his fame, Green often returns to Ottawa and remains a proud champion of his roots, even releasing music and podcast episodes from his Gatineau-area farm.
3. Sandra Oh – From Nepean to the Red Carpet
Sandra Oh was born and raised in Nepean, a suburb of Ottawa that’s now part of the city itself. Her early years were filled with local ballet classes, community theatre, and French immersion school—not exactly the training grounds for global superstardom. But Oh had a spark, and she chased it all the way to the National Theatre School of Canada.
She gained acclaim in Canadian films like Double Happiness before becoming a household name as Dr. Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy. More recently, she stunned audiences with her complex, magnetic performance in Killing Eve, earning her multiple Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Sandra Oh isn’t just one of the biggest celebrities from Ottawa—she’s one of the most respected actors in the world.
4. Alanis Morissette – Ottawa’s Queen of Angst
Long before Jagged Little Pill broke records and made her an international icon, Alanis Morissette was just a kid growing up in Ottawa’s Greenbank area. She made her first splash on the Nickelodeon-style show You Can’t Do That on Television, which was filmed in the city. Her early music career began in Canada with bubblegum pop hits, but by 1995, she had completely reinvented herself with raw, emotional alt-rock.
Her breakout album sold over 33 million copies and won five Grammy Awards. Songs like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic” became generational anthems, and her fearless songwriting style inspired countless other artists. Alanis is still active today, touring and advocating for mental health awareness—and she never forgets her Ottawa beginnings.
5. Matthew Perry – The ‘Friend’ You Didn’t Know Was From Ottawa
Although he was born in Massachusetts, Matthew Perry grew up in Ottawa and attended Ashbury College, a prestigious private school in Rockcliffe Park. His stepfather, Keith Morrison of Dateline NBC fame, was based in the capital, making Ottawa the city where Perry spent most of his formative years. He was a nationally ranked junior tennis player before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Of course, his role as Chandler Bing on Friends made him a pop culture legend.
Off-screen, Perry struggled with addiction and later became an advocate for recovery and mental health support, even writing a candid memoir. His unexpected passing in 2023 was a huge loss—but in Ottawa, his legacy as one of the most beloved celebrities from Ottawa lives on.
Final Thoughts on Celebrities from Ottawa
Ottawa may not have the glitz of Tinseltown, but it’s quietly produced some of the world’s biggest stars. These celebrities from Ottawa prove that the capital isn’t just about Parliament Hill and politics—it’s also a breeding ground for creativity, resilience, and global talent. So next time you’re in the ByWard Market or walking along the Rideau Canal, keep your eyes peeled. You never know who might be the next big star to emerge from Canada’s capital.
