Even the casual TV viewer knows Peter Keleghan's face. Currently stealing scenes on CBC's 18 to Life, the Montreal-born actor has rarely been without work since diving into the business nearly three decades ago.
His first role was playing a randy teen in the 1983 comedy film Screwballs, which led to later guest stints on Canadian shows like Hot Shots and Street Legal.
In the early nineties, Keleghan relocated to Los Angeles where he turned up on hits like Cheers, Murphy Brown and, most memorably, Seinfeld, in which he was the first actor to play George Costanza's arch-enemy Lloyd Braun.
Upon his return home, Keleghan played dim news anchor Jim Walcott on The Newsroom (1996-97), which he followed with his portrayal of studio exec Alan Roy in Made in Canada. Other viewers, of course, know him as the lovable Ranger Gord on The Red Green Show.
Beyond his current 18 to Life duties, Keleghan also appears regularly on the Gemini-winning series Murdoch Mysteries.
When not on television, Keleghan likes to watch television, specifically these three current favourites.
The Rick Mercer Report Well, being completely objective, besides 18-Life, it's probably the best show on Canadian television. It's relevant, funny and patriotic, but certainly not in a maple-leaf-tattooed kind of way. Rick is one of the smartest guys I've ever met. He's like a brighter version of Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart. His recent rants about bullying and political attack ads were right on and he's got an incredible capacity for social responsibility. I'd be the first person to vote for Rick for prime minister.
Episodes It's just so funny. Matt Leblanc plays it low-key and isn't afraid to make fun of himself. I'm afraid that because it's so insider about the TV industry that it might go away but everyone who watches can relate to the Peter Principle: that stupidity rises to the top. And all the lies and the deceit. It's exactly the way I remember it when I was in California. Explosively funny.
The Republic of Doyle I really like this show. With such beautiful photography, it's almost like those tourism TV ads for Newfoundland. Allan Hawco is a very clever guy and it's really entertaining. It's the kind of show that you hope will be nurtured in the direction it's headed rather than be unnecessarily tinkered with. It is what it is.