Tourism Winnipeg

FUN WINNIPEG FACTS (that sound like fiction) Winnipeg might not be considered "world famous," but we are responsible for some of the world's most famous faces and names. Fictitious and famous Without Winnipeg there would be no James Bond. Novelist Ian Fleming based 007 on Winnipeg-born and raised spymaster Sir William Samuel Stephenson, best known for his WWII code name, "Intrepid." You can find Stephenson's statue in Memorial Park just north of the Manitoba Legislature Building. Winnie the Pooh? Yup, that one comes from Winnipeg too. The original bear named "Winnie" (short form for Winnipeg) was brought to England during WWI by Winnipeg veterinarian Harry Colebourn. He took the bear to the London Zoo where it lived and became the inspiration for author AA Milne. Learn the full story at Assiniboine Park's Pooh Gallery, and on its grounds where you'll find a statue of Harry with Winnie as a cub. Snow White was a Winnipeg waitress. For real! Icelander Kristin Sölvadóttir was the model for illustrator Charles Thorson, who used to sketch her while drinking his coffee. Thorson, a Winnipegger who started his career as a political cartoonist and Eaton's catalogue illustrator, was said to be in love with her (but twice her age) and he would go on to move to Hollywood to work first for Disney, then for Warner Brothers. While at WB, he also created Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. Real-life Winnipeg stars This city has, of course, produced many of its own stars. On the classic rock scene there's Neil Young, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, all of whom got their start here. Chantal Kreviazuk is from here, as is children's troubadour Fred Penner, while international star Faouzia hails from Carman, Manitoba, and got her start here, too. In Hollywood, you'll find Winnipeg's Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Saulteaux Anishinaabe actor Adam Beach, while the celebrated avant-garde auteur Guy Maddin still produces films in Winnipeg. On the sports scene, the city produced Olympic stars Clara Hughes and Cindy Klassen, wrestlers Roddy Piper, Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega, and countless hockey players, including future hall-of-famer, Jonathan Toews. To learn more unique facts about Winnipeg, check out our "Winnipeg, for real" video. Winnie the Bear statue at Assiniboine Park, photo by Salvador Maniquiz 17 tourismwinnipeg.com FUN WINNIPEG FACTS

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