Ted Simonett

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Ted Simonett
Ted Simonett

Ted Simonett (born 1953) is a Canadian actor most widely known for his work in Canadian Tire television commercials. His character typically touted the features and benefits of products unique to Canadian Tire in a friendly, helpful everyday scenario. He is widely considered an "everyman" that is easy to relate to. Simonett became a household face in Canada, and one of the most recognizable characters on Canadian television.

Little information about Simonett is available, as indicated in recent newspaper articles attempting to find out who the 'Canadian Tire guy' really is. He was signed with Canadian Tire with stipulations in his contract which prevented him from participating in interviews. Rumours circulated that there was a clause in his contract that required him to keep his trademark beard.

Simonett was raised in Kingston, Ontario, where he attended Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute and later Queen's University. He spent time working in Britain, and since then has been a Toronto based actor appearing in film, television, and on the stage. He became Canadian Tire's spokesman in 1997.

In 2005 Canadian Tire changed advertising agencies, which led to a gradual phasing out of Simonett's character. In March 2006, he and on-screen wife "Gloria" were let go since the commercials had become the subject of parody, and as such were no longer considered effective. Recently, they have been parodied on Royal Canadian Air Farce, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and the Rick Mercer Report. In many circles, particularly in relation to blog sites, Simonett's character - commonly referred to as on the Canadian Tire Guy (TCTG) - has evoked particularly hostile reactions. These reactions seem to focus particularly on the perception of arrogance on the part of TCTG as he doled out his helpful portion of smug advice to hapless neighbours throughout the neighbourhood. [1]

Contents

[edit] Maclean's

The October 28, 2005 edition of Maclean's magazine published an article that ridiculed Ted Simonett and his "Canadian Tire Guy" character.[1] Shortly afterward, in March 2006, Canadian Tire unveiled its new ad campaign without Simonett.[2]

[edit] Filmography

  • Forever Mine (1999) (Mr. Galen)
  • The Marriage Fool (1998) (TV) .... Falco ... aka Love After Death
  • Blackjack (1998) (TV) .... Mark Smoot ... aka John Woo's Blackjack
  • The Fixer (1998) (TV) .... Mike Jameson
  • Short for Nothing (1998) .... Dad
  • Night of the Twisters (1996) (TV) .... Stan
  • Woman on the Run: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story (1993) (TV) .... Judge Skwieraski ... aka Woman on Trial: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story (USA)
  • Broken (1992) .... Uncredited
  • Sorry, Wrong Number (1989) (TV) .... Dave
  • The Dream Team (1989) .... Yuppie
  • Glory! Glory! (1989) (TV) .... Hank
  • Switching Channels (1988) .... Tillinger
  • Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987) .... Copeland's partner ... aka Citizens on Patrol: Police Academy 4 (UK: poster title)
  • I'll Take Manhattan (1987) (mini) TV Series
  • Prescription for Murder (1987) (TV) .... Dr. Rosenberg

[edit] Television Work

[edit] References

  1. ^ Maclean's October 28, 2005 What a tool Accessed August 16, 2006
  2. ^ CTV March 10, 2006 Canadian Tire dumps know-it-all neighbour ads Accessed August 16, 2006

[edit] External links