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Jonathan Torrens

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Jonathan Torrens
Torrens in 2017
Born(1972-10-02)October 2, 1972(age 51)
Charlottetown,Prince Edward Island,Canada
Other namesJono, J-Roc
Occupation(s)Actor, television personality
Years active1989–present
WebsiteTAGGART And TORRENS Podcast

Jonathan Ormond Torrens(born October 2, 1972) is a Canadian actor and television personality best known for his co-hosting ofStreet Cents,his talk showJonovision,and his role as "J-Roc" in the popular CanadianmockumentaryTrailer Park Boys.[1][2]In October 2009, Torrens began hostingTV with TV's Jonathan Torrens,a comedic newsmagazine program broadcast on theTVtropolisnetwork.[2]In January 2014, he teamed up with fellow CanadianJeremy Taggartto create the Taggart and Torrens Podcast. They discuss everything from sports to politics and offer a unique perspective on current issues.

Early life[edit]

Torrens was born inCharlottetown,Prince Edward Island.[3]As a child, he lived inSherwoodwhere he attended Sherwood Elementary School. He made his first stage appearance there in Grade 1. In 1983, after first attending Charlottetown Rural High School in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, he moved to Halifax with his family, where he attendedSt. Patrick's High School.[4]His sister is actress and playwrightJackie Torrens.[3]

Career[edit]

Torrens's past work includes co-hostingCBC Television's teen-orientedconsumer affairsseriesStreet Centsfrom 1989 until 1996. He then went on to host, co-produce and write for his own teen-orientedtalk show,Jonovision,from 1996 until 2001.

In 1998, he played David inBeefcake,a movie about 1950s muscle magazines and their connection with the gay community. The same year, he won aGeminiin the category of Best Short Dramatic Program for his work onNan's Taxi.In 1999, he hosted and narrated a 33-minute docudrama on the consequences of impaired driving for the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) calledWhen Choices Collide.In 2001 he played Tony Moressa on the showPit Ponyand had two appearances onRoyal Canadian Air Farceas 'The Clean Cut Keen SportsNet Guy'. From there he went on toRideau Hallin 2002 and had a guest appearance onThis Hour Has 22 Minutes.In 2003, he starred in the CBC six episodemini-seriesJonathan Crosses Canada,in which he traveled across Canada in aWinnebago.

During the summer of 2004, he starred as "The Gotta-be-Gay-Guy" on theSpike TVmock reality show,Joe Schmo 2,[5][6]and has made appearances on the showsThe Greatest Canadianand50 Most Outrageous TV Moments.

In 2003, Torrens played the role ofShane McKay,Emma Nelson's biological father, in a two-part episode ofDegrassi: The Next Generation,a revival of the teen dramaDegrassi Junior High,as original actor Bill Parrott declined to reprise the role.[7]Torrens had previously reunited the originalDegrassicast in 1999 onJonovision,[8]which became the show's highest rated episode and is regarded as a catalyst forDegrassi's revival.[9]

Torrens has a recurring role as J-Roc on the television seriesTrailer Park Boys.[1]He also appeared in all of theTrailer Park Boysmovies. In November and December 2008, Jonathan was the guest host of several episodes of the CBC radio showDefinitely Not the Opera.

In 2008, he appeared in the award-winning short filmTreevenge,directed byJason Eisener.

In 2009, Torrens debuted in his own television show calledTV With TV's Jonathan Torrenson Canadian specialty networkTVtropolisand ended in 2011.[2]As of 2010, Torrens is one of the co-hosts of thereality televisionseriesWipeout Canada,which also airs on TVtropolis that ended after 13 episodes.[10][11]

On March 21, 2013, it was confirmed on Facebook that Torrens had gained forty pounds to reprise his role asJ-Rocin the third Trailer Park Boys film,Don't Legalize It.Torrens appeared in Season 8 ofTrailer Park Boys,which debuted onNetflixon September 5, 2014. He also was a co-writer for Seasons 9 and 10 ofTrailer Park Boys.Torrens left the cast ofTrailer Park Boysin April 2016.[12]

He has also had regular roles in the television seriesMr. D,Call Me Fitz,Game On,andLetterkenny.

In October 2017,Jeremy Taggartand Torrens released the paperback bookCanadianity: Tales From The true North Strong And Freezing,"a collection of showbiz tales from the road and relatable everyday anecdotes, all wrapped up in a nostalgic fondness for this great country. Canadianity takes readers on a cross-country journey, shining the spotlight on notable local heroes (or bands), the best places to crush food and the greasiest watering holes, coast to coast to coast."

In 2019, Torrens launched the financial education web seriesYour Two Cents.[13]

In 2021, Torrens wrote, directed and starred inVollies,a sitcom about volunteer firefighters for Bell Aliant'sBell Fibeon-demand service.[14]The series debuted on October 20, 2021. He received aCanadian Screen Awardnomination forBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy Seriesat the10th Canadian Screen Awardsin 2022.[15]

In 2022, he began a recurring role on the showShoresyas Remy Nadeau and appeared as the father of the main characters in the movieKids vs. Aliens.

Personal life[edit]

Torrens is married and has two daughters.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^abScreen World: The Films of 2008.University of Arkansas Press. 2009. p. 302.ISBN978-1-4234-7370-1.
  2. ^abc"Q & A with Jonathan Torrens".Spotlight. October 14, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon October 19, 2009.RetrievedApril 10,2010.
  3. ^abLipscombe, Kristen (October 7, 2009)."'Squishy' Jonathan Torrens gets nostalgiac on new show ".Metro Halifax. Archived fromthe originalon June 5, 2011.RetrievedApril 10,2010.
  4. ^Sally Cole, "A credit to his Island,Charlottetown Guardian,January 12, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  5. ^"On with the Schmo".The advocate. June 8, 2004.RetrievedApril 10,2010.
  6. ^Tim Brooks; Earle Marsh (2007).The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–present.Random House of Canada.ISBN978-0-345-49773-4.RetrievedApril 10,2010.
  7. ^Mell, Eila (2008).Mickey Rooney as Archie Bunker and other TV casting almosts.Albany, GA: Bear Manor Media. p. 149.ISBN978-1-59393-145-2.OCLC256685988.
  8. ^Brioux, Bill (December 24, 1999)."Back to Degrassi St".Toronto Sun.Archived fromthe originalon September 14, 2007.RetrievedMay 9,2021.
  9. ^"The Oral History of 'Jonovision,' Canada's Perfectly Weird Teen Talk Show".Vice (magazine).Archivedfrom the original on May 3, 2021.RetrievedMay 3,2021.
  10. ^abStephen Brun (October 11, 2010)."TV's Torrens brings wit to 'Wipeout'".Summerside Journal Pioneer.RetrievedMarch 1,2023.
  11. ^Dowling, Amber (June 4, 2010)."'Wipeout' at home ".TV Guide Canada. Archived fromthe originalon July 18, 2011.RetrievedJune 5,2010.
  12. ^'Trailer Park Boys' actor Jonathan Torrens says he's leaving the show,Toronto Sun,April 20, 2016
  13. ^Juanita Mercer,"New web-series from Jonathan Torrens offers financial advice for 20-somethings".SaltWire Network,May 25, 2019.
  14. ^John Doyle,"Four fun or powerful shorts from the fringes of TV".The Globe and Mail,November 3, 2021.
  15. ^Brent Furdyk,"2022 Canadian Screen Award Nominees Announced, 'Sort Of' & 'Scarborough' Lead The Pack"ArchivedMarch 8, 2022, at theWayback Machine.ET Canada,February 15, 2022.

External links[edit]

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