Viola Léger

Viola Léger was born on June 29, 1930 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States. She is a star of Canada's artistic firmament. One of her best known roles is that of "La Sagouine" written by Antonine Maillet, a role she has performed over 2, 500 times, winning rave reviews. She was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2001 at the recommendation of then Prime Minister Chrétien, representing L'Acadie, New Brunswick. She was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1989. She was awarded the Order of New Brunswick in 2007. In 2013 she received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for her work as an actress.