At the age of 87, Mavor Moore has passed away. A noted writer, actor, producer and teacher, he was a champion of the arts and culture in Canada.
In this 1972 TV interview, Moore fondly recalls his childhood introduction to Shakespeare. He also describes his involvement with the CBC, the Charlottetown Festival, and the inspiring nature of French-Canadian theatre. And he explains why no matter what opportunities there might be in other countries, he always returns home to Canada.

• Mavor Moore was born in Toronto on March 8, 1919.
• His mother was Dora Mavor Moore, a well-known Canadian actress and teacher.
• Mavor Moore began acting regularly for radio in his teens. This included CBC radio performances.
• He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1941 and then served in the Second World War.
• In the early 1950s, he became CBC Television's first chief producer.

• A prolific writer, Moore wrote more than 100 plays, documentaries, musicals and librettos for stage, radio and television over his lifetime, including Sunshine Town, a musical adaptation of Stephen Leacock's Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.
• He dedicated his life to fostering Canada's cultural scene. He founded the Charlottetown Festival, the Canadian Theatre Centre and Toronto's St. Lawrence Centre. He was also the first artist to chair the Canada Council for the Arts.

• Moore was named to the Order of Canada in 1973.
• He won a Governor General's Award in 1999.
• For more on Mavor Moore's life and career, see the CBC Arts story Arts icon Mavor Moore dies at 87.

Medium: Television
Program: Distinguished Canadians
Broadcast Date: June 4, 1972
Host: Vincent Tovell
Guest(s): Mavor Moore
Duration: 26:25

Last update: Dec. 21, 2006