By Cece M. Scott cecescott.comYou may know him best as the irascible, redneck radio host, Fred Tupper, on CBC's long-running comedy sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie. Neil Crone, actor, comedian, columnist and author, says that he loved playing the character of Tupper because it reminded him a little of his dad, and also of himself. "I like to play characters who are close to home," says Crone. "Fred was a kind person with a really big heart, but he was a little rough around the edges."When in an Indian curry restaurant in Toronto, Crone was approached by a young girl, whose mom was wearing a hijab. "She was shy and said, 'I really like you on your television show.' Wow, I said, you know who Fred Tupper is, and you still like him? That felt really great, like we were making a difference, bringing people together, as opposed to being divisive," says Crone. "If this girl, who couldn't have been more than eight or nine years old, could see the humanity in my goofy, rednecked character, then clearly we were doing something right – something good."
</a> Photography, Suzanne Crone
"As my footprint – I want to leave people feeling good." – Neil CroneCurrently, Crone is working on a series called Endlings, which is now in its second season. He plays the part of Mr. Leopold, who runs a foster home. "I'm one hundred per cent behind the show's message, which is about embracing differences and loving people – even broken people," says Crone.In 2008, Crone won the Canadian Comedy Award for his radio work as Bad Santa on Q107. He's been a finalist on numerous occasions for his humour column, and placed second and third for Humour Columnist of the Year, from the Ontario Community Newspaper Awards, in 2001, 2002 and 2012.Crone says that he absolutely loves acting, as a job, but admits that the types of roles he's now getting are changing as the years go by. "I am auditioning for grandparent roles now. But I still feel like I'm 18 years old – that is, until I pass a mirror. But, I am content with my life now," says Crone. "When all is said and done, I don't think I will ever grow up."
When in an Indian curry restaurant in Toronto, Crone was approached by a young girl, whose mom was wearing a hijab. "She was shy and said, 'I really like you on your television show.' Wow, I said, you know who Fred Tupper is, and you still like him? That felt really great, like we were making a difference, bringing people together, as opposed to being divisive," says Crone. "If this girl, who couldn't have been more than eight or nine years old, could see the humanity in my goofy, rednecked character, then clearly we were doing something right – something good."
