Walter Borden

Walter Borden, C.M.

Doctor of Civil Law

Nova Scotia-born actor Walter Borden will receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law Degree. He is the 2006 recipient of the $25,000 Portia White Prize. The Portia White Prize is given annually by the Nova Scotia Arts Council to a person who has made a significant contribution to the arts and culture in Nova Scotia.

Borden, who has appeared on TV in Lexx and Feast of All Saints, is mainly a stage actor with the Stratford Festival. Born in New Glasgow, NS, Borden received degrees from Acadia University and the Nova Scotia Teacher’s College. In the mid 1960s he went to New York City to study acting. While in the “Big Apple,” he studied at the Circle in the Square Theatre School and the Herbert Beghof Studio – both widely acclaimed institutions.

He has many acting performances to his credit including Edward II, Orpheus Descending, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, King Henry VIII, Macbeth, Agamemnon, Electra, The Flies and The Swanne (Part II).

He is also a playwright and mentor to young artists in Nova Scotia and in 2006 received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award for his contribution to African-Canadian arts and culture. His one-man show, Tightrope Time, toured the world. He also has starred in The Event as the voice of Scorch in Da Boom Crew.

Borden has won the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Award and last year became a member of the Order of Canada.