Holyrood’s Kevin Lewis recognized for distinguished career in theatre arts

By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
November 3, 2023

Former Holyrood resident and celebrated actor Kevin Lewis was presented with an ACTRA NL Award of Excellence last month.

The actor’s career has been ongoing for over 30 years, including appearances in The Boys from St. Vincent, Misery Harbour, Random Passage, and Heyday.
He has been directing and acting in the summer dinner theatre in Ferryland since 2002.

In addition to his long and storied career in the arts, Lewis also served on Holyrood’s first town council in 1969 and held a teaching career for 30 years. The last 14 years as a teacher was spent instructing theater arts in Labrador City.

Past recipients of the award have included Andy Jones, Mary Walsh, Chris Brookes, and Greg Malone.

In 2015, Lewis published A Paperboy’s Story, a memoir that tells the story of the highs and lows of his formative years in Holyrood.

At the ceremony, the award was presented to Lewis by comedian and actor Mark Critch, who was a theatre arts student of Lewis in high school.

“Would never have been an actor if it wasn’t for him!” Critch mentioned in a Facebook post.

During a recent Holyrood town council meeting, Mayor Gary Goobie honored Lewis with a speech to the councillors at hand, detailing his achievements both present and past.

“Your family is very proud of your impressive lifetime achievements, and our community is equally proud,” said Goobie.