10 Famous Former York University Students/Graduates

Here are ten famous people of the world who are former graduates/students of York University in Toronto, ON - and there are many more where they came from!

1. Kardinal Offishall

Via cbc.ca

Jason D. Harrow, better known by his stage name, Kardinal Offishall, came to York University for three years studying Mass Communications, however he did not complete his degree.

2. Rachel McAdams [BFA '01]

Via en.wikipedia.org

Rachel McAdams is a very successful Canadian Actress who studied Theatre at York University. She is most well known for the roles she played in Mean Girls and The Notebook.

Ironically, Rachel McAdams also starred in The Time Traveller's Wife - which was filmed at York University's Glendon Campus!

3. Trish Stratus

Via wwe.com

Patricia Anne Stratigias - a.k.a. Trish Stratus - is the most decorated of all female WWE wrestlers, having won the WWE Women's Championship for a record seven times. She attended York University right out of high school and studied biology and kinesiology, however she was changed her plans after a faculty strike in 1997. She has also had success as a fitness guru & model, actress, and television personality.

4. Steve Maclean [BSc '77, PhD '83]

Via en.wikipedia.org

Steve MacLean is a famous Canadian astronaut, and was the president of the Canadian Space Agency from September 2008 to February 2013. He has both a bachelor of science degree and a doctorate in physics from York University, and he also received the President's Award (Murray G. Ross Award) when he graduated in 1977. MacLean was also the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm2.

5. Ringo Lam Ling-Tung

Via hkfilm.net

Ringo Lam is a Chinese film director, producer, and scriptwriter who studied Film at York University for approximately 3 years, however he travelled back to Hong Kong in 1981 without completing his degree.

His 1987 film City On Fire was the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs - in fact, some critics say that certain scenes are virtually identical.

6. Andre Durie [BA '07]

Via en.wikipedia.org

Andre Durie graduated from York University in 2007, and was a member of the York Lions Varsity Football team during his time at York. During the 2004 season he set a number of records, including the most single-game rushing yards in the OUA, the most single-season rushing yards, most rushing touchdowns, and highest scoring for York University, as well as the most career rushing touchdowns for York University.

Durie won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts during the 2012-2013 season, while playing with teammates Ricky Foley and Jeff Johnson - both of whom are also former York University Graduates.

7. Roger S. Pulwarty [BSc (Hons.) '86]

Via en.wikipedia.org

Roger S. Pulwarty is a scientist from Trinidad and Tobago who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in 2007. He graduated from York University in 1986 with an undergaduate science degree in Atmospheric Science.

8. Laura Vandervoort

Via imdb.com

Laura Vandervoort is a Canadian Actress who studied Psychology and English at York. She has had a number of large roles in various films and television shows, including playing "supergirl" on the hit show Smallville.

9. Andrus Ansip

Via valitsus.ee

Andrus Ansip studied Business Management at York University - and he is also the Prime Minister of Estonia! Andrus was elected in 2005, and is still the Prime Minister at present.

10. Jack Layton [MA '72, PhD '83]

Via en.wikipedia.org

Jack Layton was the leader of the federal New Democratic Party of Canada from 2003 to 2011, and he led the NDP to defeat the Liberals in becoming the official opposition in 2011 - he also received both his Master's Degree & Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from York University. He represented Toronto-Danforth at the federal level from 2004 until his death on August 22, 2011.