Who's this Z-grade Canadian actor?

July 4, 2006 8:31 AM

Who's this Z-grade Canadian actor?

Canadians, and in particular West Coasters, will recognize who I'm talking about: he's a big bear of an actor with an odd voice, typically bearded and with glasses, who did a lot of work for CBC and CTV (particularly in Vancouver) and a lot of TV commercials and did considerable voiceover and radio commercial work due to his characteristic ("jolly", even) voice. Notably, he played the Sasquatch in the early Kokanee commercials. I think he may have been on some children's programming as well.

I haven't seen or heard any of his work lately, so I can't name any other specific work that he's done.

Who is this guy? And is he still around?

posted by solid-one-love to grab bag (10 comments total)

Is this him?
posted by Gator at 8:48 AM on July 4, 2006

Nope, but thanks. The guy in question would by now be in his 50s or 60s, as he was in his 30s or 40s when he was a TV fixture twenty years ago.
posted by solid-one-love at 9:13 AM on July 4, 2006

Would it be Bill Reiter or Rick Ducommun? They played Biff and Bart on a couple of kid's shows in the 80's. There was a reference that Reiter may have played the Kokanee Sasquatch.
posted by Yorrick at 9:43 AM on July 4, 2006

His name, according to this page (search for "sasquatch") and this page is Bill Reiter. There's only one Bill Reiter in IMDb, which is probably him, based on the dates and the Canadian films, but I can't be sure. If it is him, and IMDb is accurate, he hasn't acted in anything in 15 years.
posted by cerebus19 at 9:44 AM on July 4, 2006

Found a pic of Bill Reiter.
posted by Yorrick at 9:45 AM on July 4, 2006

Bill Reiter it is. You folks rock.
posted by solid-one-love at 10:00 AM on July 4, 2006

And now that I have the name, I see that he's still alive. There's a short blurb about him on this page.
posted by solid-one-love at 10:04 AM on July 4, 2006

Starring in Dr. Bundolo's Pandemonium Medicine Show. Now if that isn't an indication that he's a hippie, I dunno what is...
posted by five fresh fish at 6:50 PM on July 4, 2006

Ha. Here's an interesting follow-up. I just, this morning, got two e-mails from Bill Reiter himself, with a photo and bio.
posted by solid-one-love at 9:31 AM on October 14, 2006

It is Bill Reiter. He is one of the true gentlmen of Canadian Comedy - for so many rich hilarious years...very funny - wonderfully talented, creatively generous (so many voices - so many outrageous characters without the typical personal cheap shots...ever!). Ask me how I know...I have had the pleasure to work with Bill, it is always a thrill. I also pick up some good part time dough shaving his back....great tipper!

lbdg
posted by localboydoesgood at 11:58 PM on October 18, 2006