Former Los Angeles Laker forward Rick Fox was among the honorees at the inaugural Golden Maple Awards, honoring Canadians in the entertainment industry.
Fox received the 2015 Maple Of Excellence for outstanding athlete/actor crossover. Fox’s acting credits include television’s “Oz,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mom,” “Ugly Betty,” 2009-2010 version of “Melrose Place,” “Body of Proof” and “Mom,” and the films “Blue Chips,” “Eddie,” “He Got Game” and “Resurrection.”
Canadian CrossFit Games champion Lucas Parker received the 2015 Maple Of Excellence for outstanding athlete.
Brandon Jay McLaren, who plays U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Dale “DJ” Jakes on the USA Network drama “Graceland,” was honored at the luncheon at the SLS Hotel adjacent to Beverly Hills as best actor in a series broadcast in the U.S.
Amanda Crew, who plays assistant Monica on the HBO comedy “Silicon Valley,” received the award for best actress in a series broadcast in the U.S.
Meaghan Rath, who appeared on the Fox comedy “New Girl,” was honored as newcomer of the year in a series broadcast in the U.S.
Winners were determined in voting of members of the Academy of Canadians in Sports and Entertainment-Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization that promotes Canadian entertainment and sports talent in the U.S.
The awards presentation coincided with Canada Day, which celebrates the 1867 passage of what is now known as the Constitution Act, which created Canada as a domestically self-governing federation.
—Staff and wire reports