Tony Pantages was born and raised in the picturesque city of Vancouver, situated in the Pacific Northwest, alongside the serene Hornby Island. His father, Anthony Pantages Q.C., was a renowned Canadian lawyer, while his mother, Diane Pantages, is an arts philanthropist and dedicated homemaker.
At the tender age of seventeen, Pantages joined the popular Vancouver TheatreSports Improv Troupe, making him the youngest member at the time. This early start in the world of improv would later pave the way for his transition to studying acting in Hollywood. Under the guidance of Peggy Feury at The Loft Studio, Pantages honed his craft alongside notable actors such as Sean Penn, Crispin Glover, Meg Ryan, and Eric Stoltz.
Pantages' acting career took off with appearances on various television shows, including 21 Jump Street (1987),Wiseguy (1987),The X-Files (1993),Stakeout (1987),Cadence (1990),and Short Time (1990). His impressive resume also boasts a range of film credits, including Cadence (1990) and Short Time (1990).
Before turning his focus to directing, Pantages worked as an assistant to Oscar-winning director John Schlesinger, known for his work on Midnight Cowboy and Marathon Man, for a period of two years. This experience laid the groundwork for his future endeavors as a director.
Pantages' directorial debut, the feature film 3 Days in Havana (2013),was a dark comedic noir-thriller that premiered in Canada in April 2013. The film received widespread acclaim, selling out all of its screenings at the Vancouver and Boston International film festivals and being held over for three weeks in Canada. The film's success was recognized with several award nominations, including best picture and supporting actor, and a win for best cinematography at the Leo Awards.
In addition to his work in film, Pantages has also directed numerous music videos for notable artists such as Sarah McLachlan, INXS, Our Lady Peace, Junkhouse, and 54-40, as well as commercials for brands like Lee Jeans and Air Canada. His documentary credits include Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: The Making of Tin Man (2007),the making of SyFy's highest-rated mini-series Tin Man (2007),and "Building Sanctuary", the making of SyFy's Sanctuary.
Pantages' impressive career has garnered him numerous award nominations, including the Juno, Bessie, Lotus, and MMVA (MuchMusic) awards. With his feature directorial debut, 3 Days in Havana (2013),set to open across the U.S. in February 2015, Pantages is poised to continue making a name for himself in the film industry. In 2015, he returned to acting and began working with Elizabeth Hodgson at Hodgson Management Group, marking a new chapter in his career.
