Montreal actress Jaclyn Linetsky was a rising star when she died in a tragic car crash at 17; she is best known for playing Megan O’Connor on the TV show 15/Love and being the voice of Caillou on the preschool animated series of the same name.
Linetsky was born at the Jewish General Hospital to parents Terry Weiner and Larry Linetsky. She and her two siblings, Kelly and Derek, grew up in the Montreal suburb of Hampstead. She attended St. George’s High School and was valedictorian of her graduating class in 2003.
Linetsky began acting in plays at the age of eight. By 10, she had done a radio milk ad. By 14 she had become the voice of the title character on Caillou, which was broadcast in over 72 countries. She also did voice over work for shows such as The Kids from Room 402, Daft Planet and Mega Babies, and videogames like Alex Builds His Farm and Evolution Worlds.
In 2003, Linetsky started work on 15/Love. She and her co-star, Vadim Schneider, were on their way to the set when the driver of their van lost control and crashed. Both teens were killed instantly.
After Linetsky’s untimely death, the drama program at her former high school was renamed the Jaclyn Linetsky Performing Arts Program in her honour.
