Alberta is renowned for its unparalleled beauty, world-class accommodations, ski resorts, and restaurants. It’s beloved by many, dreamt about by some, and enjoyed by everyone who comes. So, is it at all surprising that a long list of A-listers, production companies, historical figures, and even royalty have answered the call of the Rockies? Whether for work or pleasure, here are 15 of the most famous people that have been spotted at Banff National Park.
QUEEN ELIZABETH AND KING GEORGE VI
Famously captured on camera in 1939 at the Banff Spring Hotel, Queen Elizabeth and King George VI are definitely the most high-brow guests that Banff has ever seen. Fun fact – It was actually this particular Canadian tour that the Queen initiated the first-ever ‘royal walkabout’ in which the family would walk among everyday people, shake hands and socialize.
PIERCE BROSNAN
Founded by Robert F. Kennedy, the annual Waterkeeper Alliance Fundraiser typically sees the likes of many a celebrity. in 2013, it was actually held at Banff’s Sunshine Village and though THE silver fox, Pierce Brosnan, was one of the more notable guests, other attendees included Alec Baldwin, Matthew Gray Gubler, Lyle Lovett, and Marcia Gay Harden.
MAISIE WILLIAMS
View this post on Instagram
Known for her iconic role as badass Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, Maisie Williams caused an absolute stir when she started posting photos of her in and around the Banff and Canmore area. It was later announced that she was just here to film scenes for Game of Thrones season 8, but that certainly didn’t make it any less exciting.
LEONARDO DICAPRIO
Known forever as the movie that finally won Leo and Oscar, The Revenant was famously filmed here in Alberta, and man, was that a time. Was this the most iconic Banff sighting of our generation? We’d bet a long night in a bear carcass that it was, yes.
Recent Posts
Budwesier Stage is getting completely transformed to host massive events all year long
Experts think northern Canada could save us when the end of the world is here
MARILYN MONROE
Marilyn Monroe was, is, and will always be an icon. Known for classic movies, many a scandal, her style, class talent, and platinum blonde locks – it’s absolutely worth noting that she once stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in 1953 while she filmed River of No Return.
CLINT EASTWOOD
The man, the mystery, the legend. As one of Hollywood’s notoriously private people, we think it’s a pretty big deal that as a province, we can call upon a time and place where we knew where Clint Eastwood was and what he was doing while he wasn’t working. The year was 1991, the location was Banff, Alberta and the event was the Celebrity Sports Invitational. Other people in attendance? Jane Seymore, Alan Thicke, and Tommy Chong. Obviously, Eastwood was a fan of the location, as he shot the Best Picture-winning Unforgiven here in Alberta in the same year.
KEVIN HART, JACK BLACK, THE ROCK, AND NICK JONAS
View this post on Instagram
Though we could have added some of Hollywood’s funniest men on this list individually, naming them alongside one another just carries more weight. As many of you may remember, this S-tier foursome was here filming Jumanji 3 back in 2019. What you may not remember, is how excited we all were when they posted several videos about it. As a reminder, we’ve included one of the many they shared above.
BRAD PITT
Another celeb that came for work and stayed for the mountains? Brad Pitt! In 2007, the ageless wonder was here filming The Assassination of Jesse James and was spotted filming scenes near the Bow River not far outside of Banff. Fun, right?
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY
Alright, Alright, Alright. It actually wasn’t too long ago that The Vibe Mcconaughey was in our backyard again, and as always, it was a pleasure! From filming Interstellar to one of his meditation-app-like Lincoln commercials (which was filmed at the Upper Kananaskis Lake), the guy has been spotted in our area several times which certainly wouldn’t happen if he didn’t enjoy himself while here.
HEATH LEDGER AND JAKE GYLLENHAAL
Second to last, we have the late, great Heath and the brooding but loveable Jake Gyllenhall. The two A-list stars were here in the summer of 2004 to film the Oscar Award-winning Brokeback Mountain. The movie was iconic, the visit was iconic, and – it means a whole lot knowing that it all went down here in Alberta!
ASHLEY TISDALE
View this post on Instagram
Millennials. You already know! Though we wouldn’t consider her as relevant as she was in the early 2000s, Ashley Tisdale lives in our hearts rent-free and that’s all thanks to a little movie called High School Musical. This soundtrack still slaps and will forever hold a top spot as one of our favourite Disney films ever made. For this reason, we couldn’t help but fan folk over a series of photos she posted in Banff a few years ago.
There you have it, Alberta, 15 celebrities and famous people that have been spotted at Banff National Park. Did we miss anyone? Let us know on our socials!
