Famous Canadian Adoptees in Sports and T.V.

Notable Adopted Athletes and Television Personalities from Canada

Feb 19, 2009

From players in the NHL to hosts of morning shows, Canadian adoptees are talented athletes, actors and artists who are famous throughout North America.

Standing out on ice rinks and television screens throughout Canada and the U.S., Canadian adoptees are making their fans proud. As adoption itself is becoming more open, famous people too, are also sharing this personal side of themselves.

Adopted NHL Goaltenders from Canada

Grant Fuhr was born and adopted in 1962, in Spruce Grove, Alberta. He has biracial heritage and was raised by Caucasian parents. In his career as an NHL goaltender, Fuhr has played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 and is presently the goaltending coach for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Curtis Joseph was born in Keswick, Ontario in 1967 and he was placed with his adoptive parents when he was just a few days old. As a goalie in the NHL, Joseph played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. Joseph also won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for the 1999-2000 hockey season.

Steve Shields was born in 1972 in North Bay, Ontario and was adopted as a baby. Drafted from the University of Michigan to the Buffalo Sabres, Shields has also been the goaltender for the San Jose Sharks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and presently for the Atlanta Thrashers.

Canadian Adoptees Who are Actors and T.V. Personalities

Jillian Barberie was born in 1966 in Burlington, Ontario and was adopted as an infant. Currently a host on Good Day L.A., Barberie has also had roles on the television series Melrose Place and Clueless. Obtaining her Broadcast Journalism degree from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, Barberie is also famous for giving the national weather report on Fox Sports Fox NFL Sundays.

Art Linkletter was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1912, where he was abandoned as an infant and adopted by a preacher’s family. Linkletter was a radio and television personality, famous for the shows House Party (1952-1969) and Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998-2000). In 1963 he was the spokesperson for Milton Bradley’s Game of Life where his face appeared on the box and the $100,000 bills.

Eric Schweig was born in 1967 in Inuvit, Northwest Territories. Schweig was adopted by Caucasian parents during a time when it was government process to remove aboriginal children from their families of origin. An Inuit-Canadian Native carver and actor, Schweig’s most notable role was as Uncas in Last of the Mohicans (1992). More recently, Schweig is embracing the art of his culture by carving Inuit masks that have been sold in Canada, the U.S., Asia and Europe.

The copyright of the article Famous Canadian Adoptees in Sports and T.V. in Adoption is owned by Angela Krueger. Permission to republish Famous Canadian Adoptees in Sports and T.V. in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.