JACKIE BURROUGHS as Hetty King

Miss Henrietta (Hetty) Euphemia King: (b. August 26, 1859) Hetty is the head of the family and self-proclaimed judge of what is best for it. She is the eldest of her siblings and therefore the oldest living King anscestor in Avonlea. When her mother died, she took over the upbringing of her younger brothers and sisters. Their father died ten years later, leaving Hetty in charge. She was an excellent student as a girl and went on to graduate from Queen's Teachers College. She presided over the town's one-room schoolhouse for an indefinite period of time. She is proud, dominating, and demanding. She protects her vulnerability with her sharp-tongued remarks and avoidance of emotional display. Although she is intelligent and industrious, her eccentric and often rude behavior, her biting sarcasm, and her icy manner rate her low on the list of Avonlea's favorite citizens. She is quite thin with dark brown hair which is always neatly pulled back and her clothing is usually crisp and impeccable.

As an actress of incomparable range and talent, Jackie Burroughs has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of Canada's premiere performers on both stage and screen. Her performance as the headstrong, domineering but well-meaning Hetty King has garnered her three Gemini Awards for Best Actress in 1990, 1992, and 1994. Jackie Burroughs has a reputation for being an encouraging and enthusiastic supporter of Canada's young actors and playwrights. She has been known to turn down leading roles in some of Canada's most prestigious theatres to work for nothing on small "fringe" productions introducing a new playwright's work. Her participation in "alternative" productions has drawn the public's attention to many up and coming playwrites and screenwriters. Jackie, like the character Hetty, places a premium on independence, both creative and personal.

Although her body of work is extensive, she has become well known in recent years for the critically acclaimed A Winter Tan, which she both co-directed and co-wrote. Filmed on location in Mexico, A Winter Tan earned her a Genie Award for Best Actress in 1988.  She enjoyed her time in Mexico so much it has become her second home.  During Road to Avonlea's hiatus periods, Jackie has spent her summers in Mexico, overseeing the construction of her home.

Jackie Burroughs was the winner of the 1990, 1991, and 1994 Gemini Award for Best Actress for her role as Hetty King in 'Road to Avonlea'. She has also received two CableACE Award nominations for her role as Hetty King. She has received other awards and nominations for her work, and has starred and guest starred in 'A Judgement in Stone' (1986), 'Evergreen' (1985), Anne of Green Gables (1985) (in which she appeared as Mrs Amelia Evans) and 'A Winter Tan' (1987), which she not only co-wrote and co-directed, but for which she received the Genie Award for Best Actress.  Her other performances : 'Elvis Meets Nixon' (1997),   'Evidence of Blood' (1998), and a guest role on 'Lonesome Dove : The Outlaw Years' (1995).

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