Janet Wright, who was best known for her long-running role as Emma Leroy on “Corner Gas”, has died at the age of 71.
Wright played Emma Leroy, the wife of Oscar Leroy, played by Eric Peterson, and mother to Brent, played by Brent Butt who was also the series creator and star. The hit Canadian sitcom which ended its six-season run in 2009. She returned to the character in a 2014 film.
She also won a best actress Genie Award for Bordertown Cafe” in 1992 and won best supporting actress in a dramatic program or miniseries for “Betrayed” in 2003. She also appeared in “The Perfect Storm” opposite George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg and on television in “Dark Angel”, “The King of Kensington” and “The Beachcombers”.
Wright, who was born in England in 1945 but moved with her family to Saskatoon at a young age, was the co-founder of Saskatoon’s Persephone Theatre and performed with several major theatre companies in Canada.
In addition to acting credits, Wright also directed for many major theatre companies in Canada including productions at the Stratford Festival.
Agencies/Canadajournal