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Wendi Smallwood, a legendary Newfoundland and Labrador actor known for her dramatic work and commitment to fostering stories and talent in the province, has died.
Smallwood spent two decades as an actor in Toronto before returning to her home of St. John’s as a performer and director on stage. She was a fixture in local television, film and theatre.
She died this week following a battle with lung cancer. She was 64.
Renée Hackett, a close friend of Smallwood’s, remembers her as a tenacious and loyal friend who was larger than life and cared deeply for friends and family, animals and the theatre community.
“When she was on your side, I mean she was really on your side,” Hackett told CBC Radio’s On The Go Tuesday.
“She just was so helpful and wanted everybody to just do their best, and you could feel it.”
Hackett and Smallwood met around 2017 in Toronto. The pair worked together over the years including on Hackett’s show, What Odds, which Hackett called a highlight of her career.
Smallwood also made waves with her performance as Mae in the 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador film, Skeet. She played the mother of main character Billy Skinner — a heartbreaking performance tackling the challenges of abuse, addiction and family dynamics.
Smallwood played Mae in the 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador film, Skeet. (skeet_themovie/Instagram)
“She was just so raw, and real and authentic and unapologetic as an actor. And it was just truly incredible to work with her and to watch her,” Hackett said.
“She could go from cackling to sad to, you know, deeply hurt to outrageously laughing … She just had a real air of magic about her.”
Her passion also carried over to working with actors and productions. Tributes have poured in from across the acting and theatre communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada.
LISTEN | Renée Hackett remembers Smallwood with On The Go host Krissy Holmes:
On The Go10:56Remembering Wendi Smallwood
The arts community is mourning the loss of St. John’s actor and director Wendi Smallwood. She was a member of several local theatre companies, and was also a fixture in local film and television productions – including Republic of Doyle and her heartbreaking performance in the feature film “Skeet.” In recent years, Wendi Smallwood has been battling lung cancer… but that didn’t seem to slow her down. We remember the life and career of the iconic actress with one of her close friends. (Krissy Holmes with Renée Hackett)
Smallwood was serving as the national treasurer of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists.
“It’s obviously so painful to know that she passed away, but she just watched and witnessed the amount of love around her these past few weeks. And the amount of recognition for the uber, like, magnificent talent she was,” Hackett said.
“It’s pure joy to watch that happen. To see so many people who admired her and loved her. And she was just an exceptional human being who was just larger than life.”
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