If you're a fan of the Hallmark Channel, odds are you're familiar with Cameron Mathison. The actor is one of the beloved network's leading men and has been regularly appearing in their programs since 2013. But if you're a true fan of Mathison, you've probably seen him countless other places before he moved over to Hallmark movies.
Mathison grew up in Ontario, Canada. After attending McGill University he started booking modeling jobs which turned into working in commercials. Eventually, he started taking acting classes and really pursuing that as his main career in Toronto (the Hollywood of Canada). In 1997, Mathison booked his big break in America playing Ryan Lavery on the soap opera All My Children. He even earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for the role in 2002 and 2005.
Mathison has appeared in countless TV shows over the years — The Drew Carey Show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, What I Like About You, Hope & Faith, Desperate Housewives, Drop Dead Diva, and Hot in Cleveland. The man even made it to the eighth round competing on Dancing with the Stars in 2007! He's also been a notable host at the Daytime Emmy Awards, Entertainment Tonight, and Good Morning America. For the past two years, Mathison has been a co-host on Hallmark's morning talk show, Home and Family opposite Debbie Matenopoulos, a role which he tells Digital Journal he totally loves.
"I absolutely love it. It's probably my favorite job that I've ever had in my whole life, and I've had a lot of jobs luckily...I feel very grateful because it is tough out there. I love both mediums so much. I love hosting and I love acting, so to be able to do both is crazy and fortunate."
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But as diehard Hallmark fans, we love all of the feel-good projects at the network Mathison is known for. He starred opposite The Good Witch star Catherine Bell in A Summer to Remember. He has also appeared in numerous holiday films including The Christmas Ornament, Window Wonderland, and A Christmas To Remember. He even stars opposite Allison Sweeney in the Murder She Baked mystery series. But it was one project in particular that Mathison told Entertainment Tonight he credits with saving his life — The Christmas Club.
"It was on this movie, that I was like, 'This movie is about following the signs and really paying attention and being mindful.' I came off this movie [thinking], 'I'm not going to ignore this anymore,'" he added. "That's what inspired me to go get a doctor's recommendation to get an MRI."
Doctors found a tumor in his right kidney, renal cell carcinoma. Thankfully, following a successful kidney cancer surgery, Mathison is officially cancer-free.
"It saved my life," Mathison shared. "See? These Hallmark Christmas movies are more powerful than you know."
The former soap star shared an intimate photo on social media that revealed the scars of his life-saving surgery.
"Half of my life I was focused on the aesthetics of my body and about half of my career I spent shirtless... now I proudly bear the scars that made me cancer free."
Mathison has been married to model Vanessa Arevalo since 2002 and they have two children together; son Lucas and daughter Leila. The actor told Soap Opera Digest that despite having a busy schedule, he tries to prioritize time with his kids.
"I really make an effort as a dad, not only to spend family time with them, but also to have one-on-one alone time with each of them. They have so many cool interests."
Love Hallmark movies? Check out this adorable Hallmark movie Christmas sweatshirt. It's perfect for getting cozy on the couch with a big mug of cocoa and watching all your Hallmark favorites.
Christmas Movies Watching Shirt Sweatshirt
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