Famous people spending the summer in Toronto: a field guide
There are a few celebrities who have permanent homes in Toronto, but how many times can you spot Claire Danes walking down the street with her stroller before the novelty is gone? Fortunately, the local film industry is constantly bringing itinerant superstars to our city, where they take advantage of our studios, streets and tax credits to shoot their fighting-robot movies and romantic comedies. Here, a guide to this summer’s crop of visiting celebrities, the films they’re shooting and where you need to go if you want to score an autograph.
Name: Peter Dinklage
Movie: Pixels, Adam Sandler’s new comedy about 1980s video game characters that come to life and attack New York.
Where: The movie is filming all around the financial district.
When: July to the beginning of September.
Best bet for an autograph: Dinklage has been spotted throughout Yorkville, particularly outside of Bacio Restaurant and near Whole Foods.
What not to say: It’s probably a good idea to avoid height-related quips. Other no-nos: gushing like a crazed fangirl over Lord Tyrion.
Friendliness rating: 8. Everyone’s favourite Game of Thrones actor usually stops for a selfie or two with fans when he passes through LAX.
Name: Adam Sandler
Movie: Pixels, his latest attempt to win back audiences with an off-the-wall comedy.
Where: The financial district.
When: July to the beginning of September.
Best bet for an autograph: The waterboy has been spotted shopping at the Eaton Centre, attending Cinderella at the Four Seasons Centre with his family, and playing basketball in Yorkville.
What not to say: Screaming “the price is wrong, bitch!” at him will not earn you brownie points.
Friendliness rating: 9. He has posed for plenty of fan photos during his time in Toronto so far.
Name: Michelle Monaghan
Movie: Pixels, in which she plays a love interest and weapons specialist.
Where: The financial district.
When: July to the beginning of September.
Best bet for an autograph: She has two kids. Bring your own (or borrow a friend’s) to play on her sympathies.
What not to say: “I loved you in Easy A!” or “Father of the Bride is my favourite!” It’s not her, guys.
Friendliness rating: 6. While Monaghan appears sweet, she seemingly hasn’t had much on-the-record fan interaction outside of red-carpet premieres.
Name: Kevin James
Movie: Pixels, in which he plays the President of the United States of America.
Where: The financial district.
When: July to the beginning of September.
Best bet for an autograph: James is a huge sports fan. You can probably catch him on the court with Sandler.
What not to say: Following him around on a Segway, Paul Blart style, will probably get you arrested.
Friendliness rating: 9. While promoting the ultimately terrible Here Comes the Boom, James signed autographs like a madman.
Name: Dean Norris
Movie: Remember, Atom Egoyan’s upcoming film about “the darkest chapter of the 20th century.” (So, the Holocaust?)
Where: Much of the Toronto filming will happen in the vicinity of Leslieville. The rest will be shot in Sault Ste. Marie.
When: Mid-July to the end of August.
Best bet for an autograph: Tell him Marie is in danger and he’ll be sure to sign.
What not to say: “Man, Under The Dome isn’t as good as Breaking Bad” will get you punched in the face for sure.
Friendliness rating: 7. The big-time Twitter user has a sarcastic demeanour.
Name: Christopher Plummer
Movie: Remember.
Where: Leslieville.
When: Mid July to the end of August.
Best bet for an autograph: Approach with caution and reverence, for before you stands the greatest actor of all time.
What not to say: Do not, we repeat, do not mention anything relating to The Sound of Music.
Friendliness rating: 5. He’s too cool and old to deal with autograph seekers.
Name: Gael Garcia Bernal
Movie: Zoom, a multi-dimensional mindfuck about a comic-book artist, novelist and film director who live in separate realities and write stories about one another.
Where: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, among other locations.
When: July to the middle of August.
Best bet for an autograph: He’s chill, so be chill. Approach him casually.
What not to say: Don’t try to speak Spanish unless you know how to speak Spanish. The man is fluent in English (with sexy accent, to boot).
Friendliness rating: 7.5. Another low-key fella, Bernal has been known to stop for pictures with swooning ladies.
Name: Danny Glover
Movie: Gridlocked, an action extravaganza in which a former SWAT leader and a difficult movie star pair up to fight bad guys.
Where: Some filming is happening on University Avenue, between Queen and Dundas streets.
When: June to the middle of August.
Best bet for an autograph: Keep an eye out around University Avenue, especially on weekends.
What not to say: Flapping your arms like a manic Angels in the Outfield fan isn’t going to work. He’s too old for that shit.
Friendliness rating: 7. An older gent, he’ll stop for photos, but make it quick.
(Images: Dinklage, Norris, Glover: Gage Skidmore/Flickr; Bernal: Festival Ambulante/Flickr; Monaghan: Tabercil/Flickr; James: Kevin James/Facebook; Sandler: Adam Sandler/Facebook; Plummer: Christopher Wahl)
 to play on her sympathies.
What not to say: “I loved you in Easy A!” or “Father of the Bride is my favourite!” It’s not her, guys.
Friendliness rating: 6. While Monaghan appears sweet, she seemingly hasn’t had much on-the-record fan interaction outside of red-carpet premieres.
Name: Kevin James
Movie: Pixels, in which he plays the President of the United States of America.
Where: The financial district.
When: July to the beginning of September.
Best bet for an autograph: James is a huge sports fan. You can probably catch him on the court with Sandler.
What not to say: Following him around on a Segway, Paul Blart style, will probably get you arrested.
Friendliness rating: 9. While promoting the ultimately terrible Here Comes the Boom, James signed autographs like a madman.
Name: Dean Norris
Movie: Remember, Atom Egoyan’s upcoming film about "the darkest chapter of the 20th century." (So, the Holocaust?)
Where: Much of the Toronto filming will happen in the vicinity of Leslieville. The rest will be shot in Sault Ste. Marie.
When: Mid-July to the end of August.
Best bet for an autograph: Tell him Marie is in danger and he'll be sure to sign.
What not to say: “Man, Under The Dome isn't as good as Breaking Bad” will get you punched in the face for sure.
Friendliness rating: 7. The big-time Twitter user has a sarcastic demeanour.
Name: Christopher Plummer
Movie: Remember.
Where: Leslieville.
When: Mid July to the end of August.
Best bet for an autograph: Approach with caution and reverence, for before you stands the greatest actor of all time.
What not to say: Do not, we repeat, do not mention anything relating to The Sound of Music.
Friendliness rating: 5. He’s too cool and old to deal with autograph seekers.
Name: Gael Garcia Bernal
Movie: Zoom, a multi-dimensional mindfuck about a comic-book artist, novelist and film director who live in separate realities and write stories about one another.
Where: Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, among other locations.
When: July to the middle of August.
Best bet for an autograph: He’s chill, so be chill. Approach him casually.
What not to say: Don’t try to speak Spanish unless you know how to speak Spanish. The man is fluent in English (with sexy accent, to boot).
Friendliness rating: 7.5. Another low-key fella, Bernal has been known to stop for pictures with swooning ladies.
Name: Danny Glover
Movie: Gridlocked, an action extravaganza in which a former SWAT leader and a difficult movie star pair up to fight bad guys.
Where: Some filming is happening on University Avenue, between Queen and Dundas streets.
When: June to the middle of August.
Best bet for an autograph: Keep an eye out around University Avenue, especially on weekends.
What not to say: Flapping your arms like a manic Angels in the Outfield fan isn’t going to work. He’s too old for that shit.
Friendliness rating: 7. An older gent, he’ll stop for photos, but make it quick.
(Images: Dinklage, Norris, Glover: Gage Skidmore/Flickr; Bernal: Festival Ambulante/Flickr; Monaghan: Tabercil/Flickr; James: Kevin James/Facebook; Sandler: Adam Sandler/Facebook; Plummer: Christopher Wahl)){kind=link}