R. H. Thomson Biography: Books, Awards, Films, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Wife, Sons, Height, Ethnicity, Parents

  R. H. Thomson is a Canadian actor, playwright, director, and arts advocate who has remained a prominent presence on both screen and stage since the late 1970s.

He first gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Dr. Frederick Banting in the landmark television film Glory Enough for All, which earned him critical acclaim and a Gemini Award.

Over the years, he has continued to earn accolades for roles such as Jasper Dale in Road to Avonlea, among others.

Profile

• Full name: Robert Holmes Thomson
• Date of birth: September 24, 1947
• Age: 78 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
• State of origin: Ontario
• Nationality: Canadian
• Profession: Actor; director; playwright; arts activist
• Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.78 m)  
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Laurie Matheson
• Children: Two sons, Macintosh (“Mack”) and Andrew  
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: White (mixed descent reported)  
• Net worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

R. H. Thomson was born on September 24, 1947, in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, then refined his craft at the National Theatre School of Canada, where he also briefly studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art during his early career.

Personal Life

Thomson lives in Toronto with his wife, Laurie Matheson. Together they have two sons, Macintosh (“Mack”) and Andrew. He maintains a low personal profile and has kept his extended family and earlier relationships private.

Career

Thomson launched his professional career in the late 1970s with roles in productions such as Surfacing and Ticket to Heaven, which led to a Genie nomination by 1982. He won Best Supporting Actor at the 1984 Genie Awards for If You Could See What I Hear.

In 1989, his portrayal of Dr. Frederick Banting in “Glory Enough for All” earned him a Gemini Award. Notably, he played Jasper Dale in Road to Avonlea and Matthew Cuthbert in the CBC‑Netflix series Anne with an E, garnering a Canadian Screen Award in 2018.

On stage, he has performed and directed productions for Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, and the National Arts Centre, in classics such as Hamlet, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Julius Caesar.

His one-person show, The Lost Boys, debuted in 2000. Additionally, he hosted CBC’s “Man Alive” and authored “By the Ghost Light: Wars, Memory, and Families” (2023), which became a Canadian bestseller.

He also co-created national remembrance installations that projected the names of First World War veterans onto public monuments and received a Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2010, before being appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

Awards

• Genie Award – Best Supporting Actor, If You Could See What I Hear (1984)
• Dora Mavor Moore Award – Best Lead Actor, Hand to Hand (1983)  
• Gemini Award – Best Actor, Glory Enough for All (1989)  
• Gemini Award – Best News/Current Affairs for The Lost Boys (2003)  
• Canadian Screen Award – Best Supporting Actor, Anne with an E (2018)  
• Member of the Order of Canada (2010)  
• Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (2015)  
• ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence (2014)  

Net Worth

R.H. Thomson’s net worth is estimated at $1 million, based on his extensive long-term career.

Social Media

• N/A

Filmography

• Surfacing (1976)
• Ticket to Heaven (1981)
• If You Could See What I Hear (1982)
• Samuel Lount (1985)
• The Lotus Eaters (1993)
• Glory Enough for All (1989, TV)
• Road to Avonlea (1990s, TV)
• Anne with an E (2017–2019, TV)
• The Associates (2001–2002, TV)
• Heaven on Earth (1987, TV)
• Chloe (2009)
• Clara (2018)
• Murdoch Mysteries (2024)

Books

• By the Ghost Light: Wars, Memory and Families (2023)