Duncan Regehr was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, and spent his youth in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He initially distinguished himself as a champion figure skater, then had his own radio program at the age of 16. Regehr also excelled in Olympic boxing and was a classically trained Shakespearean stage performer in his native Canada before venturing into Hollywood in 1980, where he began to develop his work in film.
Standing at an impressive six feet, five inches tall, Regehr's physique, good looks, and commanding presence have often led to him being cast as larger-than-life heroes and stylishly wicked villains. His refined and elegant voice has made him a sought-after voice actor, and he is skilled at adopting the accent of many languages for his work in theatre and film.
Less well-known about Duncan Regehr is his exceptional talent as an artist. As a child, he was encouraged by his father, artist Peter Regehr, to develop his artistic skills. He later studied painting with Dutch surrealist Henry Poesiat and literature, psychology, and sociology at Camosun College on Vancouver Island.
Regehr first exhibited his artwork in 1974 at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, followed by a show at the Yorkville Art Center in Toronto the following year. Since then, numerous exhibitions in Canada, the USA, Britain, and Europe have attracted the attention of museums, critics, and the public, with his work being found in important collections worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institute, The Jilin Collection, The Kunsthallen, Focus on the Masters Archives for the Getty Museum, and the Syllavethy Collection of Scotland.
Regehr's autobiography, "The Dragon's Eye: An Artist's View," received international acclaim and was praised by art critics and literary reviewers as a book of visual and poetic excellence. In 1996, he won the American Vision Award of Distinction in the Arts, and in 2000, he was granted the lifetime appellation, 'Royal Canadian Artist' with honors by the Royal Canadian Academy of Art and the Queen's Governor General for his outstanding artistic achievements.
In 2008, Duncan Regehr received the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. His artwork can be viewed on his website.
