How a Nine-Year-Old's Audition Gaffe Launched a Prolific Canadian Acting Career
In short: Megan Follows began her career with an accidental obscene gesture during a commercial audition, yet went on to become a household name. Best known for her iconic portrayal of Anne Shirley, she navigated a diverse path through television, film, and stage, eventually transitioning into a respected director and humanitarian advocate.
Born in 1968 to actors Ted Follows and Dawn Greenhalgh, Megan Follows entered the entertainment industry early. Her first professional role at age nine involved a commercial for Bell Canada, where she was instructed to make an impudent gesture but instead performed an adult one. This early start led to steady work in Canadian television, including appearances in The Littlest Hobo and the Academy Award-winning short film Boys and Girls.
Her international breakthrough arrived in 1985 when she secured the role of Anne Shirley in the miniseries Anne of Green Gables. Chosen from over 3,000 applicants, Follows delivered a performance that remains the highest-rated drama in Canadian television history. She earned two Gemini awards for her work in the first two installments of the series, though she did not return for the fourth film, A New Beginning.
Beyond her signature role, Follows has maintained a prolific career across multiple mediums. On television, she starred as Catherine de' Medici in the historical drama Reign from 2013 to 2017. Her stage work includes extensive collaborations with the Toronto-based Soulpepper Theatre Company, where she tackled roles in plays by Tom Stoppard, Caryl Churchill, and Sam Shepard. She has also directed projects, including the 2024 film She Came Back.
Follows is also deeply involved in humanitarian efforts. She has served as a spokeswoman for World Vision Canada, traveling to Rwanda and Tanzania, and participated in the 2005 Canada for Asia benefit concert. In 2007, she filmed the documentary Small Voices: Stories of Cambodia's Children, which explored the lives of street children facing poverty and abuse. She remains an active member of the charity Artists Against Racism.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Megan Follows
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