Janet Wright was a beloved Canadian actress and theatre director, best known for her role as Emma Leroy on the hit sitcom Corner Gas. She passed away on November 14, 2016, at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and talent. But what was the cause of her death, and how did she cope with the tragedies in her life? Here is a brief overview of her career and personal life, as well as the details of her death.
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A Family of Theatre Actors
Janet Wright was born on March 8, 1945, in Farnborough, Hampshire, England. She moved to Canada with her family when she was a child, and settled in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She grew up as the eldest of four siblings, all of whom participated in Canadian theatre. Her sisters were Susan and Anne Wright, and her brother was John Wright.
Janet Wright co-founded the Persephone Theatre company in Saskatoon in 1974, along with her sister Susan. Her first husband, Brian Richmond, became the theatre’s director. She later worked at the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre, where she appeared in and directed more than 40 productions. She also performed in many other theatre projects across Canada, and at the Stratford Festival in Ontario.
A Versatile and Award-Winning Actress
Janet Wright’s theatre work led to television and film roles in Canada and the United States. She made her film debut in Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), and later appeared in movies such as Rollerball (1975), The Wiz (1978), The Perfect Storm (2000), and The Boondock Saints (1999). She also had guest roles in popular TV shows such as King of Kensington, The Beachcombers, Street Legal, Due South, and Da Vinci’s Inquest.
However, she was most famous for her role as Emma Leroy, the sarcastic and no-nonsense mother of Brent Leroy (played by Brent Butt) on Corner Gas. The sitcom ran from 2004 to 2009, and followed the lives of the quirky residents of Dog River, a fictional town in Saskatchewan. Wright won a Canadian Comedy Award for Pretty Funny TV Female in 2006 for her performance, and the show also won a Gemini Award for Best Comedy Program or Series in 2007.
Wright continued to act and direct until her death, working on contemporary American plays such as The Mountaintop and Disgraced at the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre. She also reprised her role as Emma Leroy in two Corner Gas movies: Corner Gas: The Movie (2014) and Corner Gas: The Movie – Behind the Scenes (2014).
A Life Marked by Tragedy
Janet Wright faced several tragedies in her personal life that tested her resilience and strength. In December 1991, her sister Susan and her parents, Jack and Ruth Wright, died in a house fire in Stratford, Ontario. Susan was also an actress who had performed with Janet at the Stratford Festival.
In January 2004, Wright’s daughter Rachel Davis (aged 23) was fatally shot while intervening for a stranger who was being beaten in front of a bar in Vancouver. The shooter was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder, and five counts of aggravated assault. He received a life sentence with no chance of parole until 2029.
Wright had two other children: Jacob Richmond, a playwright who was born from her first marriage to Brian Richmond; and Celine Richmond, who survived the shooting that killed Rachel. Wright was married to Bruce Davis at the time of her death.
Janet Wright Cause of Death: Undisclosed Illness
Janet Wright died on the morning of November 14, 2016, in Vancouver. She was 71 years old. No cause of death was given by her family or representatives, but it was reported that she had been ill for some time before she passed away.
Her Corner Gas co-stars and friends expressed their grief and condolences on social media, remembering her as a talented and generous person who brought joy to millions of fans.
Brent Butt tweeted: “There are no words to convey how much I loved this woman. I will miss my friend so much.”
Eric Peterson , who played her husband Oscar Leroy on Corner Gas , wrote: “I am shattered by this news. Janet was like no other person I’ve ever met.”
Nancy Robertson , who played Wanda Dollard on Corner Gas , posted: “She taught me so much about being an actor & being a woman & being funny & being strong.”
Gabrielle Miller , who played Lacey Burrows on Corner Gas , shared: “She was an incredible person with a huge heart & taught me so much about life & acting & Shakespeare.”
Fred Ewanuick , who played Hank Yarbo on Corner Gas , said: “She was a force of nature and a beautiful soul. I feel so lucky to have known her and worked with her.”
Tara Spencer-Nairn , who played Karen Pelly on Corner Gas , added: “She was a mentor, a friend and one of the funniest people I have ever worked with.”
Janet Wright’s legacy lives on through her work and her family. She was a remarkable actress and a remarkable woman, who touched the lives of many with her humor and her courage. She will be dearly missed by her fans and her loved ones.
