Toller Cranston
Born: April 20, 1949
Place of Birth: Hamilton, Ontario
Major Notes:
Cranston was a natural skater from age six.
He was one of the most influential skaters of the past five decades.
He brought artistic movements into his skating that were based on free expression.
Cranston's style and input literally revolutionized men's figure skating.
His fans and fellow skaters found him to be a demanding and sometimes surly athlete.
He won the world championship four times in men's free skating.
Cranston also perfected his art skills and is now renowned as a painter and illustrator.
He has appeared in nearly every modern skating ice show at one time or another.
Unfortunately, he never captured a gold medal in the Olympics but did win six Canadian championships.
His weakness was in compulsory figures, which have since been dropped in skating competitions.
Today, in addition to his work as a figure skating choreographer, he has become an accomplished artist.
For detailed research and more information, check out any of the following:
CBC Life & Times
Frogs On Ice
Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
Tribute
Newfoundland K-12: Francine McGrath
Last Updated: June 13, 2006
© Canada-Heros/Don Jones 2003