Sandra Oh has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Canadian Screen Awards, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to film and television. The Ottawa-born actress received a standing ovation as she accepted the honor in Toronto.
"This award belongs to every person who believed in me when the industry said I didn't fit," Oh said in her emotional acceptance speech. "To my fellow Canadians: never let anyone tell you you're not enough."
Oh's career spans over three decades, with iconic roles in "Grey's Anatomy," "Killing Eve," and numerous acclaimed films. She made history as the first Asian woman to be nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
The ceremony featured tributes from fellow Canadian actors, including Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, who worked with Oh early in her career. "Sandra didn't just open doors," Gosling said. "She kicked them down and held them open for everyone behind her."
Oh has been a vocal advocate for diversity in Hollywood, using her platform to champion underrepresented voices. Her production company has developed several projects focused on telling diverse stories, with a particular emphasis on Asian-Canadian narratives.
The actress announced during her speech that she will be directing her first feature film, a story set in Vancouver that explores the immigrant experience. "It's time to tell our stories our way," she declared.
The Canadian Screen Awards ceremony was attended by the country's top entertainment figures, all celebrating Oh's remarkable legacy. Her award represents not just personal achievement, but a milestone for representation in the industry.
Oh's next project, a limited series for HBO, begins production in Vancouver this spring, bringing another major production to Canadian soil.