Behind the scenes: Canadian comedy celebrated in Hamilton

Four-day festival and hall of fame induction revives dream for a bricks-and-mortar comedy hall of fame. 

PHOTOS BY DONNA WAXMAN AND BRENT PERNIAC

The Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame Festival included  the finals of the Funniest Person in Hamilton contest, inductions into a virtual hall of fame, a bilingual comedy event, and Indigenous stand-up showcase and an Uncle Buck pancake breakfast in tribute to John Candy. 

The Hamilton connections among inductees are rich. The include Eugene Levy and Martin Short, both born in Hamilton, Steve Smith, creator of The Red Green Show, which was produced and filmed at CHCH in Hamilton, and the late Billy Van, known for The Hilarious House of Frightenstein, which was also produced in Hamilton.

The inductions also included comedic great Jim Carrey, the cast of SCTV, along with Rose Ouellette, Marie Dressler, The Happy Gang, Joe Bodolai and Jo-Anna Downey.

The festival and induction revives the dream of a brick-and-mortar hall of fame that will be a tourist attraction and teach about Canada's rich history in comedy.

Tim Progosh, co-founder of the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame, moved to Hamilton from Toronto in December. The festival launched the first of a three-year collaboration with Tourism Hamilton.

Hamilton native Eugene Levy was a 2024 inductee in the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame.

Newmarket's Jim Carrey was a 2024 inductee in the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame.

Shaun Mujumder, who hosted the closing gala, Tim Progosh, co-founder of the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame, and Hamilton actor Ashley Leggat, who hosted the opening night gala.

Shawn Ricketts gets a book signed by Steve Smith, aka Red Green.

Shaun Mujumder, who hosted the closing gala, with Hamilton actor Ashley Leggat, who hosted the opening night gala.

Hamiltonian Patrick McKenna, who played Harold Green on the television series The Red Green Show, with Red Green himself Steve Smith and a very happy fan.

Hamiltonian Patrick McKenna, who played Harold Green on the television series The Red Green Show, hosted the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Steve Smith of Red Green fame was inducted into the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame with a special tribute event.

Steve Smith with Brenda Elkins.

Actress and comedian Aurora Browne, best known as one of the creators and stars of the sketch comedy series Baroness von Sketch Show.

Patrick McKenna, Jeff Lumby, Steve Smith, Peter Keleghan and Shaun Majumder.

Actor Peter Keleghan and photographer Brent Perniac.

Jeff Lumby, actor from The Red Green Show, paid tribute to Steve Smith.