Stefan Brogren (born 21 April 1972) is a Canadian actor, director, and producer who is best known for his mainstay role as Archie "Snake" Simpson in the Degrassi television franchise. First appearing as a student in the second series Degrassi Junior High (1987-89) and continuing into Degrassi High (1989-91), Brogren played the role of Snake throughout every subsequent entry in the franchise, reprising his role in the revival Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001-15) as a teacher and later principal, and again in Degrassi: Next Class (2016-17).
Stefan Brogren | |
|---|---|
 Brogren in November 2010 | |
| Born | 21 April 1972 |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer |
| Years active | 1987-present |
| Spouse | Michelle Shaughnessy (2019) |
He was later a producer of The Next Generation and Next Class and directed numerous episodes of both series, winning a Gemini Award for his directorial work in 2010.
Early life
editStefan Brogren was born on 21 April 1972, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Brogren's father is of Swedish descent.[1]
Career
editBrogren has portrayed Archie "Snake" Simpson since his teen years, as a student in Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, and then as a media teacher and principal in Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001-2015).[2] With the exception of The Kids of Degrassi Street, Brogren has appeared in every Degrassi series as a regular cast member. Brogren was the first Canadian actor to use the word "fuck" on Canadian primetime television, on the Degrassi High TV movie, School's Out! when he was discussing Joey Jeremiah's sexual escapades with Tessa Campanelli.[3]
In 1999, Brogren starred in the music video for "Rock Past It" by pop-metal band Scratching Post.
Brogren made his directing debut with Degrassi of the Dead, a non-canonical horror episode, which aired on Halloween 2007. The 15 minute webisode depicted several Degrassi characters attempting to escape from other characters who had become zombies as a result of eating genetically modified food. The show was followed by a behind-the-scenes/making-of presentation during which he was introduced as the director. He has directed many episodes since, and became a series producer in the eleventh season.
Brogren is one of two directors of The L.A. Complex which, like Degrassi, was produced by Epitome Pictures.
He appeared in Drake's 2018 music video for "I'm Upset," which takes place during a Degrassi reunion.[4]
In 2022, he released his suspense thriller film Obsessed to Death.[5]
Personal life
editHe resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is 6 feet 4 inches (6'4") tall, and is married to Canadian comedian and actress Michelle Shaughnessy.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Hairshirt | Timothy "Tim" Wright | Also known as "Too Smooth" |
| 2001 | Focus | Bodyguard | |
| Invitation | Stefan | ||
| 2002 | Drummer Boy | Family Doctor | |
| 2003 | The Happy Couple | Dwayne's Friend | |
| Masterpiece Monday | Joe | Short film | |
| 2004 | Denied | Donald | |
| 2005 | Pizza Shop | Short film | |
| 2006 | Succubus | Larry | Short film |
| 2008 | Bitten (Vampire Apocalypse) | Bearded Man | |
| 2022 | Sneakerella | Shoe Executive |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987-1989 | Degrassi Junior High | Archibald "Snake" Simpson | |
| 1990-1991 | Degrassi High | Archibald "Snake" Simpson | |
| 1991 | C.B.C's Magic Hour | Basketball Teammate | Episode: "The Prom" |
| 1992 | School's Out | Archibald "Archie" Simpson | Television movie |
| 1995-1996 | Liberty Street | Brandon | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | La Femme Nikita | Security Guard | 1 episode |
| Wind at my Back | Bowser | Episode: "Something from Nothing" | |
| 1998 | Twitch City | Ty;er Fawcett | Episode: "I Slept with my Mother" |
| 1999 | I Was a Sixth Grade Alien | Corky | 1 episode |
| 2001 | Prince Charming | Bob Worthington | Television movie |
| 2001–2015 | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Archibald "Archie" Simpson | Main role |
| 2001 | The Endless Grind | Howard | Episode: "The Endless Grind of Race" |
| Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows | Oscar Camerman | 2 episodes | |
| Witchblade | Leeman Bostwick | Episode: "Convergence" | |
| 2002 | The Associates | Grady Pascoe / Rudy Pasco | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | Wild Card | Motel Clerk | Episode: "No Bull" |
| Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart | Television movie | ||
| 2004 | Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye | Brian Guthrie | Episode: "Political Agenda" |
| Evel Knievel | Bob Tuax | Television movie | |
| 2005 | Kojak | Terry | Episode: "East Sixties" |
| Martha Behind Bars | Federal Agent #1 | Television movie | |
| 2010 | Degrassi Takes Manhattan | Archibald "Archie" Simpson | Television movie |
| 2016–2017 | Degrassi: Next Class | Archibald "Archie" Simpson | 8 episodes |
| 2018 | Very, Very, Valentine | Mr. Carlisle | Television movie |
| 2020 | Canada's Drag Race | Himself | 1 episode |
| Private Eyes | Dean Carl Robinson | Episode: "Tappa Kegga Daily" | |
| A Christmas Break | Phil Johnson | Television movie | |
| 2021 | American Gods | High Priest Olaffson | Episode: "Fire and Ice" |
| 2022 | Air Crash Investigation | NTSB Investigator Macintosh | Episode: "Turboprop Terror" |
Web series
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | Degrassi: Minis | Archibald "Archie" Simpson | 5 episodes |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Rock Past It | Scratching Post |
| 2018 | I'm Upset | Drake |
Filmmaking credits
edit| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-2007 | Instant Star | Yes | No | Yes | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Degrassi: Minis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Episode "The Curse of Degrassi" |
| 2009-2015 | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Yes | Yes | No | 51 episodes |
| 2009 | Degrassi Goes Hollywood | Yes | Yes | No | Television movie |
| 2010 | Degrassi Takes Manhattan | Yes | Yes | No | Television movie |
| 2012 | The L.A. Complex | Yes | Yes | No | 7 episodes |
| 2015 | Open Heart | Yes | Yes | No | 8 episodes |
| 2016-2017 | Degrassi: Next Class | Yes | Yes | No | 20 episodes |
| Raising Expectations | Yes | No | No | 2 episodes | |
| 2018-2022 | Holly Hobbie | Yes | Yes | No | 23 episodes |
| 2021 | A Mother's Lie | Yes | No | No | Television movie |
| A Chance for Christmas | Yes | No | No | Television movie | |
| 2022 | Obsessed to Death | Yes | No | No | |
| 2023 | Welcome to Valentine | Yes | No | No | Television movie |
| Popularity Papers | Yes | Yes | No | 5 episodes | |
| Twisted Neighbor | Yes | No | No | ||
| 2024 | Billion Dollar Bluff | Yes | No | No |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Series | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Gemini Award | Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Continuing Dramatic Role | Degrassi Junior High | Nominated | [6] |
| 1990 | Young Artist Award | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast | Degrassi High | Nominated | [7] |
| 2002 | Gemini Award | Geminis' Hottest Star | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Nominated | [8] |
| 2010 | Gemini Award | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Nominated | [9] | |
| Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Degrassi: The Next Generation
(Episode "Beat It: Part 2") |
Won | [9] | ||
| 2011 | Gemini Award | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Won | [10] |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Children's Program | Nominated | [11] | ||
| 2012 | Directors Guild of Canada | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Family Series | Degrassi: The Next Generation
(episode "Dead and Gone: Part 2") |
Nominated | [12] |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Children's Program | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Nominated | [13] | |
| 2013 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Won | [14] | |
| 2014 | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Won | [15] | ||
| Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Won | [16] | |||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Children's Program | Nominated | [17] | ||
| 2015 | Outstanding Children's Program | Nominated | [18] | ||
| Canadian Screen Awards | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Nominated | [19] | ||
| 2016 | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Nominated | [20] | ||
| Directors Guild of Canada | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Family Series | Degrassi: Next Class
(episode: "#Sorrynotsorry") |
Nominated | [21] | |
| Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Family Series | Degrassi: Next Class
(episode: "Bootycall") |
Nominated | [21] | ||
| 2017 | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Family Series | Degrassi: Next Class
(episode: "#ImSleep) |
Nominated | [22] | |
| Canadian Screen Awards | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Degrassi: Next Class | Nominated | [23] | |
| 2018 | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Nominated | [24] | ||
| 2020 | Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Holly Hobbie | Nominated | [25] | |
| Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Children's or Family Viewing Program | Nominated | [26] | ||
| 2021 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Nominated | [27] | |
| 2023 | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Nominated | [28] |
References
edit- ^ Stefan Brogren's Twitter on Twitter
- ^ Dickson, Jeremy (17 March 2017). "Snake's path: Actor Stefan Brogren talks Degrassi's evolution". Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Wong, Tony (17 March 2017). "Snake and Degrassi alumni reunite to celebrate 30th anniversary at Toronto ComiCon". Toronto Star. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "Drake 'I'm Upset' video features 'Degrassi' reunion | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Obsessed to Death Movie (2022) | Release Date, Cast, Trailer, Songs". www.digit.in. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Awards Database History Search for "Degrassi"". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
- ^ "IMDb: Young Artist Awards: 1990". IMDb. 2007. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
- ^ "Degrassi: The Next Generation – Awards". Epitome Virtual Reality. CTV. 28 November 2006. Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
- ^ a b "2010 Gemini Awards Presented in Drama, Children's and Youth, Comedy, and Variety Categories" (PDF). Gemini Awards. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "2011 Gemini Awards Presented in Drama, Children's or Youth, Comedy and Variety Categories" (PDF). Gemini Awards. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2011)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Directors Guild of Canada (2012)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2012)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2014)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2014)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2014)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2016)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Directors Guild of Canada (2016)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Directors Guild of Canada (2017)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2017)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2018)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2020)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards (2020)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2023)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 April 2024.