Cas Anvar - Bio

Cas Anvar, nominated once again for a Gemini, in the ENSEMBLE category for his role as Dr. Singh, a recent immigrant from India, in the farcical CBC hit series, THE TOURNAMENT.

Working with a stellar cast exploring the darker but comedic side of competitive children's hockey in rural Briarside, Canada, Anvar, as Dr. Singh whose impeccable bedside manners as a Gynaecologist, do not transfer to his role of Coach of his young son's hockey team. This is where the gloves come off and mayhem ensues.

Learning about the second nomination from his co-star Al Goulem, Anvar realized that they had arrived. "This year we had a longer season, higher production values, and more dynamic scripts" says Anvar, all the while hoping that the Academy and the audience agrees with him.

Anvar was born in Regina, raised in Quebec and a graduate of Montreal's prestigious National Theatre School. This versatile and exciting actor has performed in over 50 major roles in both film and television.

Recently seen last year on an episode of the hit NBC show MEDIUM opposite Patricia Arquette, in DAVID MAMET's CBS action series THE UNIT, and guesting in the exciting NBC series E-RING opposite Benjamin Bratt. Anvar most recently starred in lead roles for the WB feature film SUBLIME, and the BBC/Discovery miniseries SUPERSTORM.

In Cruise/Wagner's SHATTERED GLASS, Anvar portrays Kambiz Foroohar, a moral force who unmasks the fraudulent reporter Stephen Glass, played by Hayden Christensen. Widely acclaimed on the festival circuit, SHATTERED GLASS premiered at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival, followed by the Toronto International Film Festival, with a general public opening in New York and was nominated for 4 Spirit Awards and 1 Golden Globe.

Anvar first came to popular attention through his Jutra-nominated role as the controversial Zak in Hunt Hoe's dark, titillating feature film SEDUCING MAARYA. His extensive list of credits include REDEEMER, opposite Matthew Modine, THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO, with Jack Palance and Oliver Reed, and the CTV MOW AGENT OF INFLUENCE opposite Christopher Plummer. Additionally, roles on BLISS III, opposite E.R.'s Pamela Sinha, a role in Richard Donner's blockbuster TIMELINE and also appeared in Steven Spielberg's TERMINAL opposite Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta Jones and Stanley Tucci.

An accomplished stage actor, Anvar has played numerous leading roles in Shakespeare's most famous plays including the title role in Macbeth, Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, and Prospero in The Tempest. He has also directed many of the Bard's works. Outside of his company Repercussion Theatre, he has appeared on stage in Rahul Varma's critically acclaimed Counter Offence and in Joe Maalouf's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Anvar is well respected as the Founder and Artistic Director for over 18 years of the acclaimed Shakespeare-in-the-Park theatre company, Repercussion Theatre, and is the only touring Shakespeare In The Park troupe in the world. With a reputation for innovative, visually dynamic, totally accessible productions and a truly impressive ability to mount, perform and dismantle a Shakespearean play in a day, the company has toured extensively across eastern Canada and all through the US as far south as TEXAS.

The fluently trilingual (English, French and Farci) Anvar, who credits part of his wide-ranging creativity to his exotic cultural and spiritual heritage, is a recipient of the Carla Napier Award for Achievement in the Montreal Theatre community as well as Alliance Quebec's Youth Achievement Award for accomplishments in the Arts.