Eric Peterson: From “Street Legal” to “Corner Gas” and more

Eric Peterson as lawyer Leon Robinovitch in the legal drama "Street Legal".

Source: https://www.rewatchclassictv.com/products/street-legal-the-complete-series-cbc-1986-1994

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He looked older and more distinguished, but the voice was very familiar. As I continued to watch this episode of “Transplant”, a series I was binging earlier this week, it dawned on me who it was. Then, when they finally did close in on his face, it was unmistakable.

It was venerable Canadian actor Eric Peterson.

To many people he is the incorrigible Oscar Leroy, father of Brent Butt’s character Brent Leroy on “Corner Gas”.

However, to me he will always be a crusading lawyer operating a street side law office in Toronto.

“Billy Bishop Goes to War” and more
Although Eric Peterson’s first acting credit is “The Visitor” in 1974, he really attracted attention in 1982 with the television film “Billy Bishop Goes to War.” It was an adaptation of a musical Peterson wrote with John MacLachlan Gray that dramatizes the life of Canadian First World War fighter pilot Billy Bishop. “Billy Bishop Goes to War” is one of the most widely produced plays in Canadian theatre.

I even have a copy of the play, with Peterson on the cover as Billy Bishop. I inherited it on Fifth Kelsey in the Spring of 1989 in student residence at the University of Alberta when I had to clean out the storage room on our floor.

Peterson appeared in some other television movies, provided voices for the Star Wars-based cartoons “Ewoks” and "Star Wars: Droids” in 1985; and the 1986 cartoon “The Care Bears Family” in 1986.

He also had a guest role in the American comedy “Mr. Belvedere” in 1986.

Things all changed for Eric Peterson in 1987.

This is the law
“Street Legal” debuted in January of 1987 on CBC, Channel 9 on the peasant vision dial. It focused on three lawyers opening a small law practice in downtown Toronto – Carrie Barr, played by Sonja Smits; Chuck Tchobanian, played by C. David Johnson; and Leon Robinovitch, played by Eric Peterson.

Leon was a left-leaning, crusading lawyer who defended the under dog and those who could not defend themselves.

“Street Legal” aired when I was in Grade 12 in January of 1987, so I watched it until I went off to university in the Fall of 1987 then lost track of it. I would watch reruns when I was home from school, then picked it up again when the specialty channel “Showcase” aired it. What I will always remember is how outspoken Leon was, and how worked up he would get because he was on the side of right. But he could also be funny.

There were two episodes I recall. In one, he is defending an immigrant who is threatened with deportation back to his home country, because he perpetrated crimes against his own people including torture. He vehemently denies it, and Leon ends up winning the case. They go to a restaurant to celebrate where they are served by a waiter who is obviously an immigrant himself. He catches a glimpse of Leon’s client and has absolute terror on his face. Then the credits roll. It was absolutely brilliant writing.

The other one I have no recollection of the plot, just one particular line. “Street Legal” was very Canadian, portraying the Canadian justice system and its traditions, as well as what was going on in the country at the time. Well, in 1990 the NDP shocked Canadian politics by winning power in Ontario. I knew “Street Legal” would work that into the show somewhere. Well, in the episode I am referring to, the government who is usually portrayed as the bad guy, does something good.

Leon, who is a staunch supporter says, “Leave it to the NDP!”

For his efforts, Peterson was nominated for a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for Leon Robinovitch in 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995, winning in 1987, 1989, and 1992.

“Street Legal” ran from 1987 to 1994 for 126 episodes, and was the longest-running one-hour scripted drama in Canadian television history, until “Heartland” surpassed it in 2015.

Keep on working
Eric Peterson continued to take on other guest starring roles during his time on “Street Legal” and after usually in shows shot in Canada. Those included “Night Heat” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” in 1988; “Scales of Justice” in 1994; “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues” in 1996; “PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal”, “Goosebumps”, “La Femme Nikita” and “Traders” in 1997; the TV movie “Win, Again!” in 1999; “Canada: A People’s History” in 2001 where he played Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King: “Trudeau” in 2002 where he played NDP Leader Tommy Douglas; “Tom Stone” and “Doc” in 2003; “Blue Murder” in 2004; and had a recurring role for 39 episodes from 2004 to 2006 in “This is Wonderland”.

Then, in 2004 he started playing Oscar Leroy in “Corner Gas”. That would go on for 107 episodes, ending in 2009. He reprised the role in a theatrical release “Corner Gas: The Movie”, in 2014; and in a cartoon of the show for 48 episodes from 2018 to 2021.

He also appeared in shows, mostly in Canada, such as “Slings and Arrows”; “The Ron James Show”; “Republic of Doyle”; “Murdoch Mysteries”; “Dan for Mayor”; “Wingin’ It”; “Copper”; “Rookie Blue”; “Cracked”; “Young Drunk Punk”; “The Umbrella Academy”; “American Gods”; “Private Eyes”; and most recently “Transplant”.

He even reprised the role of Leon Robinovitch in two episodes of a six-episode revival of “Street Legal” in 2019.

Parting thoughts
Nothing can demonstrate Eric Peterson’s acting range more than a comparison of Leon Robinovitch and Oscar Leroy. Leon is an idealistic, crusading, altruistic lawyer trying to make the world a better place. Oscar Leroy is not. He is a retired, crusty old man who always has a wise crack and a piece of almost wisdom.

I recall the first time I saw Peterson on “Corner Gas”, I could not believe it was the same guy who played Leon Robinovitch.

That’s acting.