Canadians Lorne Michaels, Frank Gehry to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

WASHINGTON — Canadians Frank Gehry and Lorne Michaels are among the newest recipients of America’s highest civilian honour: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that Toronto natives Gehry and Michaels are on the star-studded list of 21 new honourees.

Gehry is a world-renowned architect whose best-known buildings include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Dancing House in Prague, and the Guggenheim Museum building in Bilbao, Spain. He was also behind the redesign of the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto.

Michaels is a 13-time Emmy winner best known for creating and producing the legendary sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live.” He has also produced “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” and the acclaimed sitcom “30 Rock.”