For actor Tim Walker, Christmas has always been about connection and a dash of nostalgia. One of his most treasured memories is the last Christmas he spent with his father, when his dad, mom, and stepdad all gathered together under one roof. “He was welcomed into my mom’s home,” Tim recalls, “and we all celebrated together.” It’s a memory that captures what the season, and Ethan Claymore’s Christmas, is all about: forgiveness, togetherness and finding joy where you least expect it.
Tim’s path to the Cow Patti stage is backed by 20 years in the business, including appearances on Murdoch Mysteries alongside Yannick Bisson, and creative collaborations with his close friend, playwright and director Kat Sandler. He’s no stranger to heartfelt stories or laughter-filled scripts, which makes him a perfect fit for this Norm Foster favourite.
Growing up, Tim had a vivid imagination and a clear love of storytelling. His favourite childhood gift was a castle set complete with knights and a moat, alongside a book about the Michigan Wolverines’ iconic “Fab Five.” Those early sparks of play and curiosity eventually led him to a career where imagination is part of the job description. As an adult, his favourite gift is something far more practical, an air fryer from his mom that he proudly uses at least twice a week.
When it comes to holiday tastes, Tim keeps things classic. His go-to treat is mincemeat pie, and his favourite Christmas song is White Christmas. As for movies, he refuses to pick just one, his top four are A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Home Alone. Together, they paint a picture of someone who appreciates both sentiment and slapstick, exactly the balance Cow Patti audiences love.
Offstage, Tim shares his Alberta home with his wife and best friend, Caitlin. He’s an avid reader (currently on Book 5 of Steven Erikson’s The Malazan Book of the Fallen series) and a fan of Alberta’s “vast amounts of nature” and “passion for hockey.” His advice to his younger self? Just one word: “Breathe.”
After two decades in theatre, television and film, that single word says it all, take a breath, enjoy the moment, and find the magic in it. This Christmas, Tim Walker invites Cow Patti audiences to do exactly that.