#FIRSTLOOK: GILDA’S TORONTO SPECIAL “LOVE, GILDA” SCREENING

Gilda’s Toronto, a welcoming and inclusive cancer support community, celebrated what would have been Gilda Radner’s 80th birthday with a special screening of the documentary Love, Gilda at The Second City Toronto. The evening honoured Radner’s enduring impact while bringing together members, volunteers, staff, donors, board members and supporters in a shared commitment to ensuring that no one faces cancer alone.

“Tonight is an opportunity to recognize the legacy Gilda left us, and the responsibility we carry forward,” said Elizabeth Dalgleish, Executive Director of Gilda’s Toronto. “At Gilda’s Toronto, we see every day how powerful it is to have a place where people can show up as they are and find connection.”

Hosted at The Second City Toronto, a venue deeply connected to Gilda Radner’s early career, the celebration underscored the enduring relationship between comedy and community.

“Gilda Radner helped define what The Second City represents: fearless creativity, generosity on stage, and finding truth through comedy,” said Julie Dumais Osborne, Vice President Training Centers, The Second City. “Welcoming Gilda’s Toronto into a space where her artistic journey began is a privilege, and a reminder that her influence extends far beyond the stage.”

A highlight of the evening was the reflection on Gilda Radner’s own words, which continue to inspire the community she helped shape: “There are those who open their hearts to others… who never think twice about giving of themselves. They are the wonderful warmhearted people who make all the difference in our lives.”

Love, Gilda offers an intimate portrait of Radner’s life through personal journals, home movies and archival footage, celebrating the humour, resilience and authenticity that continue to inspire audiences and the community that bears her name.

The screening offered a deeply personal portrait of Radner’s life, reminding attendees of her courage, humanity, humour, and belief in the importance of human connection—values that remain at the heart of Gilda’s Toronto today.

The evening concluded with a shared sense of purpose—honouring Gilda’s influence not only by remembering her, but by continuing to build a community where support, empathy, and belonging are accessible to all who need it.

About Gilda’s Toronto
Cancer is complex. At Gilda’s Toronto, our philosophy is simple: we believe everyone living with cancer and their families should have a welcoming, supportive and inclusive community to rely on, cost-free, throughout their unique emotional journey. We ensure that they receive the highly individualized, social, emotional and mental health support they deserve.

About The Second City Toronto
The Second City first brought its iconic improv and sketch comedy to Toronto in 1963 for a week of performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. After a decade of sold out shows at the 1200-seat theatre, The Second City established a permanent home in the city with the opening of “The Old Firehall” on Lombard Street. In 1976, The Second City Toronto further solidified its place in comedy history by creating the groundbreaking television show SCTV.

In December 2022, The Second City began an exciting new chapter by relocating to its state-of-the-art facility at One York Street. This move introduced three distinct theatres: The Mainstage, Theatre ’73, and The John Candy Box Theatre, each offering nightly performances that continue The Second City’s tradition of bringing laughter to audiences.

Since making a home in Toronto over 50 years ago The Second City has grown to become the most influential name in comedy launching the careers of countless Canadian comedy legends. Our illustrious alumni list includes names such as Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Bob Martin, Jerry Minor, Gavin Crawford, Kevin Vidal, Darryl Hinds, Chris Wilson, Lauren Ash, Ann Pornel, Alan Shane Lewis and so many more.

For more information on The Second City, visit www.secondcity.com, www.secondcityworks.com and follow The Second City on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.