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Sunday, June 29, 2025
Marathon of Hope
'Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me.'
Terry Fox
If you're a Canadian, and even if you're not, you've probably heard of Terry Fox. I thought it overdue to pay tribute to this iconic Canadian hero. Born in Winnipeg, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia was always involved in sports. At just 18 however, he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer). In 1977, he was forced to have his reg light amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee.
While recovering in the hospital, Fox was more focused on the suffering of others than his own pain and physical struggles. It was through his connection to other cancer patients, especially the children, that motivated him to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. His journey was called the Marathon of Hope and it took Terry close to two years to train and prepare.
He began Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little fanfare. Although he didn't garner much attention in the beginning, enthusiasm and excitement quickly began to grown. Money began to pour in as Fox ran close to 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. Sadly, Terry had to stop running in September after cancer appeared in his lungs. By this time, his journey was being closely followed by most Canadians.
Terry died on June 28th, 1981 at the age of 22. Although a hero was gone, his legacy lives on. All across the Canada, and 30 other countries, the Terry Fox run has became an annual event and is still going strong today. In the United States, there are runs in Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and in Central Park in New York.
I am a bit young to remember Terry' original run, but I remember being in school as a kid when someone tried to organize a run at our school. Most of us didn't know much about his life, so our teacher planned a class focused on Terry and the history of the un. His journey and his spirit captured the heart of so many who continue to support his run each year. To date, the Terry Fox run has raised over $900 million for cancer research. 45 year later, Terry is still remembered and set to become the new face on the Canadian five dollar bill.
Above & Below: Terry Fox and 10-year old Greg Scott near Terrace Bay, Ontario on August 27th, 1980. The young boy, who also lost a leg to bone cancer, followed Fox on his bike for 6 miles. Terry would later write that this would be the most inspirational day of his Marathon of Hope.
The two would take time together swimming in Jackfish Lake before Terry Fox headed back on the road the following day. Greg Scott of Welland, Ontario would pass away one month after Fox
The Full Mountie
'This is Canada, Nell. Things are real up here.'
Dudley Do-Right
I've done features on Mounties before, usually on CANADA DAY . I hadn't intended another for this year, until someone posted these shots of Marilyn Monroe on a history page I follow on Twitter. I've seen some posted previously, but this time, took a closer look and did a little research. The images come from a visit Marilyn made to Banff National Park, way back in 1953. I thought it interesting that Marilyn, then America's sexy symbol, posed with a Mountie, arguably, one of Canada's versions of masculinity.
I always wanted an original Mountie for FH to celebrate Canada Day. It was a difficult ask, but one photographer came through with an amazing shoot. Back in 2021, I featured Mountable, featuring Kay as our hot la police montée shot by Tom from Lights On Studio. As hot as Kay was slipping out of his uniform, both he and Tom are American, so I'm still hoping one day to have a Canadian Mountie to strip down. Tom is from Michigan however, which shares a water border with Canada, and is a stone's throw from the Canadian border, so I consider him an honorary Canuck.
For many kids, Mounties and police officers, much like astronauts and firefighters, are seen as heroes. We fantasize about being one, a hero or helps and rescues others. When we get older however, we reluctantly have to accept that police officers, like everyone, are flawed. Careers which involve having control over others always attract a segment of people with anger and control issues.
I've had mostly positive experiences with police officers. I often interact with them due to my job and most are wonderful. I have run into a few bad apples though, one, who was using his position to stalk a female friend of mine. Eventually we had to file a complaint, and thankfully, he was transferred and out of our lives.
Mounties however, still have a fairly decent reputation, beyond just being able to get their man. Maybe it's the red jacket, the tight black pants and belt. Maybe it's because mount signifies they ride horses, and we love a hot hunk on horseback. Those dreams of being an astronaut or a Mountie from childhood change as we age as well. We transition from wanting to be them, to wanting to be with them, even if it's just in our imagination.
Last set of images are promotional stills from the 1992 adult film, Call of the Wild.
Lou Zivkovich: Canadian Centerfold
Lou Zivkovich
Man of the Month
Playgirl Magazine, July 1974
Photographed by Norbert Jobst
'The girls, lol. The groupies. They figured the ball players were big spenders. Some were, I guess. But most of the time they were disappointed.'
Now I'm not 100% sure, (maybe someone can help verify) but I do believe that Lou Zivkovich was Playgirl's first 'openly' Canadian Centerfold. The magazine was first published in June of 1973 and Lou made his debut as Man of the Month the following year in July of 1974. His Canadian roots were an important piece of the article. Not only was Zivkovic is the son of Canadian immigrants, he was also a defensive end for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League, (CFL).
'Lou Zivkovich is restless.... Five years of pro football in the Canadian leagues can't be set aside just like that. The excitement of being on the move. Of taking new challenges every week. The girls hanging around the motel lobbies waiting to hook a player for the night.'
At the time of his naked debut, Zivkovich was 33 and living in the United States. After receiving a degree in Physical Education and English at the University of Miami, the muscular 6'4" strapping Canadian was flown to Hawaii by the magazine for his magazine layout. Copies of the magazine quickly became something of a collector's item and even sparked brief talk of an acting career for Zivkovich. (He played a supporting role in a McMillan and Wife episode which aired on October 26, 1975.
'At one time, like when I was a kid; the most important think was getting into a girl's pants. These days, sex isn't the ultimate experience. There's more stress on companionship. I like that.'
Sadly there was fall-out for Zivkovich which the magazine wrote about in a follow-up on their man of the month the following year. At the time the magazine came out, Zivkovich was working as a Physical Education teacher at a high school in in Apple Valley, California. The school fired him, charging that his appearance as Playgirl's centerfold demonstrated he was not a proper role model for the students. Many of Zivkovich's fellow teachers, as well as many of his students protested and came to his defence.
'I don't see anything wrong with a nude body that is a work of art.'
Lou Zivkovich
The case went to a state appeals panel which admonished Zivkovich for a "mistake in judgment" but ruled in March 1975 that he could not be fired. The following year Zivkovich took another stab at acting, appearing with other muscled hunks with Mae West in a CBS TV special titled "Dick Cavett's Backlot USA." Mae West's biographer described Zivkovich as not only one of West's co-stars, but also a 'frequent escort' to the Hollywood bombshell.
Canadian Bacon
When have you ever heard anyone say, "Honey, lets stay in and order Canadian food?
Canadian Bacon, 1995
No, there may not be many restaurants specializing in Canadian cuisine, but Canada does have a few signature dishes. Most people have heard of Poutine, but Canada is also famous for it's smoked meat, Beavertails, Tourtière, Lobster rolls, donairs and anything and everything maple. It's also known world wide for it's bacon, specifically Canadian back bacon, made from Pork Loin, a leaner cut of meat. Some people love it, others do not, but there's nothing better than a round slab on a breakfast sandwich!
Since this is FH, and we're celebrating Canada Day, there's another slice of Canadian meat that's known world wide. Of course, I'm talking about the meat on Canadian men, specially male actors. When Canadian actors are wrote about, they often focus on the comedians. The many actors of comedy who got their start on Canadian television, and then made their way to the States, or SNL, produced by Lorne Michaels, another Canadian.
Canadians love their comedy, the SCTV alumni; John Candy, Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy and Martin Short. Then there's the Kids in the Hall, some of whom, (Dave Foley, Mark McKinney) also made a name for themselves on American sit-coms. There's also Jim Carrey, Seth Rogan, Will Arnett, Tom Green, Phil Hartman, Matthew Perry, Mike Myers, Norm MacDonald, Howie Mandel, Tommy Chong, Leslie Nielson and original SNL cast member Dan Aykroyd.
Canadians can be serious as well, with acclaimed actors like Donald Sutherland, Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Ironside, Keanu Reeves, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Victor Garber and Christopher Plummer also hailing from the Great White North. Although a certain orange buffoon has tried to put a wedge between them, Canada and the United States have been allies and friendly neighbours going back to the early 1800's.
Eugene Levy
It makes sense given the two countries have longest international border stretching approximately 8,893 kilometers (5,526 miles) that Canadian talent would head south for work, and international fame. Many American actors also head north to film in Canada, with some of the world's biggest movies filmed there. Some of the many films that were shot partially, or entirely in Canada include; The X-Men movies, The Twilight Saga, Deadpool, Good Will Hunting, The Revenant, American Psycho, Mean Girls, Chicago, Brokeback Mountain and Titanic.
I've featured hundreds of thespian Canucks over the years, especially in my 12 Days series. The majority of Hallmark films are filmed in Canada, meaning many of the leading men from the romance series are Canadian. I've done Actors & Skin features on many, including Andrew Walker (HERE:) and Shawn Roberts. (HERE:) Below are a few other hot Canadians I've featured over the years. Some, have shown their back bacon, a few, shared their Canadian sausages as well.
Reeves
Taylor Kitsch, (above and below) gave us a taste of his Canadian back bacon on both screen, and in modeling wok.
I love me some Paul Gross, especially in the 1993 drama Aspen Extreme. If you watched the DVD, you saw a bit of Paul's posterior, but if you were lucky enough to catch it on VHS, you saw more. Thanks to xyzpdq (SOMS) for the cap below.
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