Nardwuar Honored with One of Canada’s Top Awards: A Heartfelt Moment
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Nardwuar the Human Serviette has been recognized with one of Canada’s highest civilian honors.
On Wednesday, December 31, the iconic Vancouver-based interviewer was named among 80 new appointees to the Order of Canada.
Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, the 57-year-old known for his eccentric style stated, “So humbled that people thought I was worthy of this honour and nominated me. I am in awe! Like I can’t even explain myself so I can’t imagine how people would explain me to the committee!”
Born John Ruskin, Nardwuar dedicated the honor to his late mother, whom he credited with teaching him “so much about history, local independent media, and the value of research.” He remarked that she would be “overcome with joy” before signing off with his famous catchphrase, “Doot doola doot doo…”
Olga Ruskin, Nardwuar’s mother, was a court reporter for the Toronto Star in the 1950s and later created the Vancouver cable-access show Our Pioneers and Neighbours in the 1970s, as reported by CTV.
In addition to his interview career, Nardwuar is the lead singer and keyboard player for The Evaporators, a band he formed in 1986. Over the years, he has charmed fans, including notable figures like Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams, with his thoughtfully curated celebrity gifts.
Having interviewed hundreds of celebrities, Nardwuar’s recent conversations include notable names like Sabrina Carpenter, Timothée Chalamet, Jack Antonoff, and Ice Spice. He first gained prominence on local college radio and later made a name for himself on MuchMusic in the late 1990s, delivering unforgettable interviews with artists such as Nirvana, Blur, and Snoop Dogg, often surprising them with his extensive knowledge of their histories.
This year’s Order of Canada appointments also feature children’s entertainer Raffi, country artist Terri Clark, along with various Supreme Court justices, scientists, authors, and athletes, according to CTV.
Here is Nardwuar’s celebratory Instagram post:
