Ernestown Secondary School, Queen's University, Bobcaygeon, Ahead by a Century, New Orleans Is Sinking
Nationality
Canadian
Siblings
Mike Downie, Patrick Downie, Bobcaygeon, Ahead by a Century, New Orleans Is Sinking
Awards
Juno Award for Music DVD of the Year
Music Groups
The Tragically Hip
Nominations
Juno Award for Video of the Year, Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year, Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year, Canadian Screen Award for Best Entertainment Special, Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble), Bobc...
Movies
Trailer Park Boys: The Movie, One Week, Waterlife, At the Quinte Hotel, The Tragically Hip - A National Celebration
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Fact
1
Was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor in late 2015 after suffering a seizure. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Downie made the decision to record and tour to give the band a proper send off.
2
His band, The Hip's song, "Heaven Is A Better Place Today", is dedicated to Dan Snyder, the Atlanta Thrasher hockey player who was killed in a car accident last fall. Synder died in October from the wounds he suffered when, as a passenger, he was thrown from teammate Dan Heatley's Ferrari when Heatley lost control of the car, causing it to crash.
3
The working title for the song "Fireworks" (from the album Phantom Power) was "Bobby Orr", after the great Boston Bruins defenceman. The goal "that everyone remembers" was Paul Henderson's winning goal during the 1972 Canada-Russia hockey series. Orr did not play in the series because of one of his many knee operations.
4
The Hip's song "Wheat Kings" makes reference to David Milgaard, who spent 22 years in a Canadian prison for a 1969 murder he was eventually found not to have committed.
5
The Hip's song "50 Mission Cap" (From their album Fully Completely) touches on the legend of Bill Barilko, a Leafs player who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1951 and disappeared on a fishing trip later that year. Though the song is about a Maple Leaf, his favorite team is the Boston Bruins (Harry Sinden, former GM of the Bruins is his God-father).
6
Was a goalie in minor hockey and played for a bantam team which won an Ontario championship in 1979.
7
Studied at Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
8
Graduated from Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute (Kingston, ON) in 1982. His bandmates from The Tragically Hip also attended the school. He attended Ernestown Secondary School (Odessa, ON) in Grade 9 and part of Grade 10.
9
Downie and his fellow bandmates started out singing cover songs in bars and quickly became Canada's most popular band. Gord released his first solo album "Coke Machine Glow" in early 2001.
10
Resides in Toronto.
11
Lead singer/song-writer of the band The Tragically Hip.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Devil's Mile
2014
writer: "Locked in the Trunk of a Car"
Being Erica
2010
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Flashpoint
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Corner Gas
2005-2008
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Jumper
2008
writer: "Ahead by a Century"
Trailer Park Boys: The Movie
2006
writer: "Bobcaygeon", "38 Years Old", "Scared"
Comeback Season
2006
writer: "Vaccination Scar"
Saint Ralph
2004
performer: "Hallelujah"
Ararat
2002
performer: "Mystery" - as Gordon Downie / writer: "Mystery" - as Gordon Downie
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration
2016
TV Movie
Vocals
The Truth About Rainbows
2014
Short
Taxi Driver
Sight Unseen
2010
Clammer
Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys
2008
TV Movie
Man irate about sandwich (unconfirmed, uncredited)
One Week
2008/I
Biker (as Gordon Downie)
Nothing Really Matters
2008
Burglar
Trailer Park Boys: The Movie
2006
Cop 1
Snow on the Skeleton Key
2003
Short
Banana Slug Merchant
The Memory of Joy
2003
Short
Narrator
At the Quinte Hotel
2002
Short
Poet
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Secret Path
2016
TV Movie
Athletes in Motion
2010
TV Movie
Athletes in Motion: Hardcore Bonspiel
2010
Short
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Secret Path
2016
TV Movie creator / writer
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Secret Path
2016
TV Movie producer
The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration
2016
TV Movie executive producer
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Secret Path
2016
TV Movie
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
That Night in Toronto
2005
Video musician: vocals/guitars - as Gordon Downie
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Waterlife
2009
Documentary narrator
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kid Diners
2016
TV Series grateful thanks - 1 episode post-production