Taylor Olson is a Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1] He is best known as the director, writer and lead actor of the 2020 film Bone Cage, for which he was a Canadian Screen Award nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards.[2]

Taylor Olson
Born (1992-05-12) May 12, 1992 (age 32)
Occupation(s)Actor, Filmmaker
Years active2014–present
Known forBone Cage

Early life and education

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Before moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Taylor Olson was born in Masset, British Columbia. Olson attended Dalhousie University's Fountain School of Performing Arts. He graduated in 2014, with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Theatre (Acting).[3] While at the Fountain School, Olson was one of two recipients of the 2012 Andrew and David Stitt Memorial Prize.[4]

Career

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Olson has appeared in over 70 films and television shows, and has had supporting or guest roles in the television series Pure, Sex & Violence, Mr. D, Diggstown, Trailer Park Boys, and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, as well as films including Black Cop, Hopeless Romantic, Spinster, Tin Can and Dawn, Her Dad and the Tractor, and the web series I Am Syd Stone.

He has also performed in stage roles in Halifax, including in a 2017 production of Catherine Banks's original theatrical version of Bone Cage, Neptune Theatre's world premiere of Controlled Damage, and Daniel MacIvor's solo play Monster, for which he was nominated for a Theatre Nova Scotia Robert Merritt Awards for Outstanding Lead Performance, 2020, as well as won Best Actor, Best Drama, EFT's Upstage Award and Best Solo Show at the Halifax Fringe Festival, 2019.[1]

In 2022, Olson co-created, co-wrote, and directed the comedy series King & Pawn for Bell FibeTV1.[5] In 2023, the series was renewed for a second season.[6]

His sophomore feature film Look at Me had its premiere at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival.[7]

Awards

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Year Award Category Film/play Result
2017 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role Hustle & Heart Nominated
2017 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role Ariyah & Tristan's Inevitable Break-Up Nominated
2018 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role Cut Nominated
2019 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role Hopeless Romantic Nominated
2020 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role Masc Nominated
2020 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role You Too, Chuckles Nominated
2020 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role Bad Morning Nominated
2021 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Performance Bone Cage Won
2021 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Performance Inceldom Nominated
2021 9th Canadian Screen Awards Best Adapted Screenplay Bone Cage Nominated
2022 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Performance I Hate You Nominated
2023 ACTRA Maritime Awards Outstanding Performance Bystanders Won

References

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  1. ^ a b Morgan Mullin, "Trapped inside a Bone Cage" Archived 2021-04-30 at the Wayback Machine. The Coast, September 22, 2020.
  2. ^ Brent Furdyk, "Canadian Screen Awards Announces 2021 Film Nominations". ET Canada, March 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Lewis, Lara. "Heavy in mass, heavy in feels". Signal Halifax. University of King's College. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Award Winners". Dalhousie University. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Mark Robins, "Finding Family at King & Pawn". Halifax Presents, July 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Morgan Mullin, "Trailer Park Boys wrap and pawnshop guy comes back in this week's film news". The Coast, May 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Taimur Sikander Mirza, "Taylor Olson’s Look At Me to world premiere at Slamdance". Playback, December 5, 2023.
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