He is one of the greatest names in men’s skating, renowned for his excellence both technically and artistically. In a career that spanned three decades, Brian Orser brought audiences to their feet all over the world and represented his country with pride and distinction.
Voted by his fellow athletes to be the flag bearer for the host nation at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta, Orser led the Canadian delegation into the Opening Ceremonies. “There are very few words that can describe how much pride you feel when you walk through that stadium. It was an honor and a privilege,” he said. “The Calgary experience was incredible. Both (gold medalist) Brian Boitano and I delivered what was expected from the ‘Battle of the Brians.’”
Orser’s amateur career took place in a decade where the sport made enormous technical advances, and he was one of the skaters leading the way. Just one year after the first triple axel was performed in competition; Orser landed the jump en route to winning the Canadian Junior Men’s title. He continued to land the jump consistently and it became one of this trademark moves, including being the first to land it in Olympic competition.
“I feel that I took skating in a new direction and that is something I am very proud of,” he said. “I had a passion for competing. First and foremost, I loved skating. I knew when I was a young person that I could be the best at this craft called figure skating.”
After turning professional in 1988, Orser expanded his creative horizons. His autobiography, A Skater’s Life was a bestseller in Canada. He won an Emmy Award for his work in Carmen on Ice. He also won two Gemini Awards for his television specials Night Moves and Blame It on the Blues. He joined Stars on Ice in the U.S. and was a vital part of building that tour into the premier showcase of skating entertainment. The tour’s co-creator, Scott Hamilton, handpicked the cast and annually sought their input into the style and direction of the show. Stars on Ice expanded into Canada, and Orser continued to tour annually until his retirement in 2007. In honor of his incredible contributions to the tour, producers allowed him to produce his own farewell segment. “It was a perfect way for me to finish my career as a professional entertainer,” he said.
In addition to touring, Orser took part in many professional competitions, earning accolades for his unique and innovative routines. In 2000, at the age of 38, he landed a triple axel at the Winter Goodwill Games in Lake Placid. “I knew I had it in me,” he said. “I worked and trained to make a point to myself and the rest of the world.”
Orser has also been a tireless worker for charitable causes, especially AIDS-related charities, which are close to his heart after losing friends to the disease. In 1992, the year after his good friend Rob McCall passed away, Orser organized a benefit show in Toronto in his memory that raised $500,000 (CDN), an almost unheard of amount at that time. In 2007 and 2008, Orser put together groups of current and past skaters to participate in the Pride and Remembrance Run in Toronto, which benefits various AIDS charities.
In 2005, Orser became skating director at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, where he oversees the skating program in collaboration with lifelong friend Tracy Wilson. He works with all levels of skaters—from little kids who still wear protective helmets to elite competitors like Ladies World Champion Yu-Na Kim. He even teaches a weekly adult class, which he finds to be a great pleasure.
He takes pride in the fact that skaters from the club have a distinct look in terms of the high quality of their skating skills. He teaches daily stroking classes to give young skaters the edge quality that he and his contemporaries learned from the now defunct compulsory figures.
“My life has changed so much because of teaching, being at the rink and having responsibility for these skaters,” Orser said. “I’ve really taken this job seriously. I love this side of skating.” It is now where he channels his passion for skating and for competition.
Brian Orser, Olympic figure skater, is available exclusively through IMG Speakers bureau for speaking engagements. Brian Orser is also available for Olympic appearances, corporate hospitality events, meet and greets, and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Brian Orser.
