Biography
Victor Cowie was a Canadian actor, educator, writer and director. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he studied English literature at the University of Manitoba and the University of Toronto before joining the University of Manitoba faculty in 1956 as an English professor, where he taught for over four decades.
Alongside his academic career, Cowie was active in Winnipeg theatre, directing and performing in university and professional productions. He wrote and directed the film And No Birds Sing (1969). After retirement he took supporting roles in numerous Canadian and American films shot in Manitoba, including the Sea Captain in Archangel (1990), George in Trucks (1997), Herr Trotta in Careful (1992), Maddin Sr. in Cowards Bend the Knee (2003) and Man in Bar in The Saddest Music in the World (2003).
Cowie died in Winnipeg on 8 March 2004. He is commemorated by the Victor Cowie Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Performing Arts, given by ACTRA Manitoba.
