Small Town, Big Talent: Six Famous People from Sudbury Who Made It

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Sudbury, Ontario, has produced many famous people over the years who have left their mark in various fields. Today we’ll narrow in on six famous people from Sudbury who have made a name for themselves. Let’s get to it!

Let’s start with Alex Trebek. This guy was a legend. He was the host of Jeopardy! for over three decades, and he was born and raised in Sudbury. He was more than just a TV personality though; he was a philanthropist, a humanitarian, and apparently, an incredibly tough guy. I mean, this guy battled pancreatic cancer and still managed to keep hosting Jeopardy! until just a few months before he passed away. He also got some serious recognition for his work. In 2017, he was awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to the entertainment industry and his philanthropic work.

David Johnston is next on the list. He’s a Canadian politician and academic who served as the 28th Governor General of Canada. That’s pretty impressive. Johnston’s also done a ton of work in higher education, which is always a good thing. He also has a laundry list of other accomplishments, including his role as the chair of the Rideau Hall Foundation, which is all about improving the lives of Canadians through innovative and impactful initiatives.

Kelley Armstrong is up next. She’s a Canadian author who’s written a ton of fantasy and horror novels. She’s best known for her Women of the Otherworld series, and get this, she was born and raised in Sudbury! She went to Sudbury Secondary School and then studied psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Armstrong is a master of her craft. She’s got over 30 books to her name and she’s a New York Times bestseller. This lady’s got some serious talent.

Now, let’s talk about Cummy Burton. Yes, that’s his real name. He played in the NHL for five years with the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins. But you know where he’s from? Sudbury! That’s right, born and raised in this little town. Before he made it to the NHL, he played for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). That’s some real hometown hero stuff right there.

Let’s talk about Jeffrey Buttle, a Canadian figure skater who crushed it and took home the World Figure Skating Championships in 2008. Buttle’s a true competitor, representing Canada at the Olympics and making us all proud. But it’s not just about winning medals – this guy embodies what it means to be a true athlete. He didn’t just rest on his laurels after retiring from competitive skating. Now, he’s a coach and choreographer, passing on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of figure skaters.

Last but not least, we have James Jerome, a Canadian politician who was the Member of Parliament for Sudbury from ’74 to ’84. And get this, he was the Speaker of the House of Commons from ’79 to ’84. He must’ve been good at yelling at people and banging that gavel around, right? Well, the guy was so good at it that he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in ’85 for his contributions to Canadian politics. Now that’s some high praise right there.

So, there you have it. Six famous people from Sudbury, Ontario who have made their hometown proud.