Indigenous Winnipeg actor stars in movie ‘Champions’
Posted March 9, 2023 5:10 pm.
Last Updated March 9, 2023 6:50 pm.
It’s safe to say Tom Sinclair can sink a shot on the small screen. Now, he’ll be hitting that big shot on the big screen.
Indigenous actor Tom Sinclair has accomplished his dreams at just 26. He’s in a Hollywood movie with the likes of Woody Harrelson, Cheech Marin, Katlyn Olsen and Ernie Hudson.
Sinclair stars as Blair, a basketball player with a disability on a team Harrelson’s character coaches, after being assigned community service for getting in trouble with the law. Sinclair says Director Bobby Farrelly let him be his authentic, funny self on set.
Indigenous actor Tom Sinclair with actor Woody Harrelson (Photo Courtesy: Tom Sinclair)
“In under a week they phoned me up and said ‘we want you!’ and it’s just been an amazing experience everyday,” he explained. “Everyone just did an amazing job on set. I’m proud of myself, and everyone should be proud of themselves. All my co-stars, Woody, should be very proud of this amazing film.
“I got way too excited and fell off the bench, they kept it in the final cut – Bobby said it was just so funny they could not stop laughing.”
As fun as it was to shoot the film in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba, for Sinclair, attending the premiere in New York was a whole other world. He says that’s still not the best part.
“I thought Portage and Main was busy. New York City Times Square was busy!”
Sinclair was born with Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and now gets to be a role model for people with disabilities.
“My disabilities don’t own me,” said Sinclair. “You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”
Sinclair also made it a point to wear Indigenous-themed clothing, and use props with Indigenous artwork in the movie.
Sinclair’s two brothers and sister were extras in the film, sharing in the limelight, along with fellow Winnipeggers Ashton Gunning, and Alex Hintz.
“I’m very proud to have that opportunity to work along with him,” said Charlie Guimond, background actor in Champions.
“I’m so proud of that, I’m so proud of Tom giving so much credit to his cast mates. It’s been an incredible thing,” added Robert Marsh, father of 4 actors in Champions.
Gerry Sinclair, an extra in Champions stating, “The movie was the most funniest experience ever.”
The family hopes the world embraces Champions, so they get to reunite with their friends for a sequel.
