The community of London, Ontario, is mourning the death of Tommy Hunter, the legendary Canadian music performer and television host who died of natural causes on July 2, 2026, at 89. His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Canadian entertainment, one shaped by decades of music, broadcasting, and a rare ability to make audiences feel at home.
Hunter was born in London on March 20, 1937, and went on to become a defining figure in Canadian country music. He was best known as the host of The Tommy Hunter Show, which ran for 27 years on CBC and became one of the country’s most enduring music programs. Through that platform, and earlier work on Country Hoedown, he helped bring country music into mainstream Canadian culture while supporting artists and preserving the genre’s place on national television.
Throughout his career, Hunter earned some of Canada’s highest entertainment honors, including multiple Juno Awards, a Gemini Award, and induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. He was also appointed to the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, recognition of both his artistic success and his broader cultural impact.
Tommy Hunter leaves behind three children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He will be remembered in London and across Canada not only as a celebrated performer, but as a steady and beloved public figure whose work shaped the sound and spirit of Canadian country music.