Survivorman is the nickname given to Les Stroud, a Canadian filmmaker, survival expert, and musician. A three-time Gemini Award winner, he is best known as the creator, writer, producer, director, and star of the television series Survivorman. Throughout his career, he has been teaching, entertaining, and inspiring audiences around the world, using his extensive knowledge of wilderness survival and bushcraft to educate and entertain.
Early Life and Education
Les Stroud was born on October 20, 1961, in Toronto, Ontario. He grew up in the small town of Haliburton, Ontario and spent much of his childhood outdoors, learning about the natural world. He also developed a passion for music at an early age, and he started playing guitar and singing when he was just seven years old.
At the age of 16, Les moved to Toronto to pursue his musical career. He attended college there and studied music, but then decided to pursue a career in outdoor education. He enrolled in a two-year outdoor survival program at Humber College and received a diploma in Outdoor Recreation. After graduating, he worked as a wilderness guide and outdoor instructor for several years.
Creating Survivorman
In 2002, Les began working on the concept of Survivorman. He wanted to create a show that would teach viewers about the outdoors and wilderness survival. After pitching the idea to Discovery Channel Canada, the show was picked up and the first season of Survivorman premiered in 2004.
The show was an instant hit and is now in its tenth season. In each episode, Les is dropped into a remote location and left alone for seven days, with no food, water, or shelter. He must rely on his survival skills to survive and make it back to civilization. During his journey, he teaches viewers about the local wildlife and plants, as well as how to build shelter and find food.
Other Projects
In addition to creating and starring in Survivorman, Les has worked on several other projects. He has written several books on wilderness survival and bushcraft, including Survive! and Beyond Survive. He also has a line of outdoor gear, Survivorman Gear, which is designed to help people stay safe in the wilderness.
Les also has a musical career and has released several albums, including his most recent release, Les Is More. He has toured extensively and performed at several major music festivals, including Bonnaroo and Coachella.
Awards and Achievements
Les has won three Gemini Awards for his work on Survivorman, including Best Documentary Series in 2007 and 2008. He has also been nominated for the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Reality/Competition Program or Series in 2016 and 2018.
Philanthropy
Les is an avid supporter of several charities, including the World Wildlife Fund and the David Suzuki Foundation. He has also been involved in relief efforts for victims of natural disasters, such as the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Survivorman?
A: Survivorman is the nickname given to Les Stroud, a Canadian filmmaker, survival expert, and musician.
Q: What is Survivorman about?
A: Survivorman is a television series in which Les Stroud is dropped into a remote location and left alone for seven days, with no food, water, or shelter. He must rely on his survival skills to survive and make it back to civilization.
Q: What other projects has Les Stroud worked on?
A: Les has written several books on wilderness survival and bushcraft, including Survive! and Beyond Survive. He also has a line of outdoor gear, Survivorman Gear, which is designed to help people stay safe in the wilderness. He also has a musical career and has released several albums, including his most recent release, Les Is More.
Q: What awards has Les Stroud won?
A: Les has won three Gemini Awards for his work on Survivorman, including Best Documentary Series in 2007 and 2008. He has also been nominated for the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Reality/Competition Program or Series in 2016 and 2018.
Q: What charities does Les Stroud support?
A: Les is an avid supporter of several charities, including the World Wildlife Fund and the David Suzuki Foundation. He has also been involved in relief efforts for victims of natural disasters, such as the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka.
Q: How did Les Stroud become interested in wilderness survival?
A: Les grew up in the small town of Haliburton, Ontario and spent much of his childhood outdoors, learning about the natural world. He also developed a passion for music at an early age and enrolled in a two-year outdoor survival program at Humber College.
Q: How many seasons of Survivorman have there been?
A: Survivorman is now in its tenth season.
Q: What kind of music does Les Stroud play?
A: Les plays various styles of music, including folk, country, blues, and rock.
Q: Where has Les Stroud performed?
A: Les has toured extensively and performed at several major music festivals, including Bonnaroo and Coachella.
Q: What is Les Stroud's latest album?
A: Les's most recent release is Les Is More.
Q: What is the name of Les Stroud's outdoor gear line?
A: Les's outdoor gear line is called Survivorman Gear.
Q: What is Les Stroud's educational background?
A: Les attended college and studied music, but then decided to pursue a career in outdoor education. He enrolled in a two-year outdoor survival program at Humber College and received a diploma in Outdoor Recreation.
Q: How did Survivorman get its start?
A: In 2002, Les began working on the concept of Survivorman. He pitched the idea to Discovery Channel Canada, and the show was picked up and the first season of Survivorman premiered in 2004.