Stefan Brogren (born 21 April 1972) is a Canadian actor, director, and producer who is best known for his mainstay role as Archie "Snake" Simpson in the Degrassi television franchise. First appearing as a student in the second series Degrassi Junior High (1987–1989) and continuing into Degrassi High (1989–1991), Brogren played the role of Snake throughout every subsequent entry in the franchise, reprising his role in the revival Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2015) as a teacher and later principal, and again in Degrassi: Next Class (2016–17).
He was later a producer of The Next Generation and Next Class and directed numerous episodes of both series, winning a Gemini Award for his directorial work in 2010.
Early life Stefan Brogren was born on 21 April 1972, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Brogren's father is of Swedish descent.
Career Brogren has portrayed Archie "Snake" Simpson since his teen years, as a student in Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, and then as a media teacher and principal in Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001-2015). With the exception of The Kids of Degrassi Street, Brogren has appeared in every Degrassi series as a regular cast member. Brogren was the first Canadian actor to use the word "fuck" on Canadian primetime television, on the Degrassi High TV movie, School's Out! when he was discussing Joey Jeremiah's sexual escapades with Tessa Campanelli.
In 1999, Brogren starred in the music video for "Rock Past It" by pop-metal band Scratching Post.
Brogren made his directing debut with Degrassi of the Dead, a non-canonical horror episode, which aired on Halloween 2007. The 15-minute webisode depicted several Degrassi characters attempting to escape from other characters who had become zombies as a result of eating genetically modified food. The show was followed by a behind-the-scenes/making-of presentation during which he was introduced as the director. He has directed many episodes since and became a series producer in the eleventh season.
Brogren is one of two directors of The L.A. Complex which, like Degrassi, was produced by Epitome Pictures.
He appeared in Drake's 2018 music video for "I'm Upset", which takes place during a Degrassi reunion.
In 2022, he released his suspense thriller film Obsessed to Death.
Personal life He resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is 6 feet 4 inches (6'4") tall and was married to Canadian comedian and actress Michelle Shaughnessy.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1998 Hairshirt Timothy "Tim" Wright Also known as "Too Smooth"2001FocusBodyguardInvitationStefan2002Drummer BoyFamily Doctor2003 The Happy CoupleDwayne's FriendMasterpiece MondayJoeShort film2004DeniedDonald2005Pizza ShopShort film2006SuccubusLarryShort film 2008 Bitten (Vampire Apocalypse) Bearded Man2022SneakerellaShoe Executive
Television Year Title Role Notes 1987–1989 Degrassi Junior High Archibald "Snake" Simpson 1990–1991 Degrassi High Archibald "Snake" Simpson1991C.B.C's Magic HourBasketball TeammateEpisode: "The Prom"1992School's OutArchibald "Archie" SimpsonTelevision movie1995–1996Liberty StreetBrandon3 episodes 1997 La Femme Nikita Security Guard 1 episode Wind at My BackBowserEpisode: "Something from Nothing"1998Twitch CityTyler FawcettEpisode: "I Slept with My Mother" 1999 I Was a Sixth Grade Alien Corky 1 episode 2001Prince CharmingBob WorthingtonTelevision movie 2001–2015 Degrassi: The Next Generation Archibald "Archie" Simpson Main role 2001 The Endless GrindHowardEpisode: "The Endless Grind of Race"Life with Judy Garland: Me and My ShadowsOscar Camerman2 episodesWitchbladeLeeman BostwickEpisode: "Convergence"2002 The AssociatesGrady Pascoe / Rudy Pasco2 episodes2003Wild CardMotel ClerkEpisode: "No Bull"Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha StewartTelevision movie 2004 Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye Brian Guthrie Episode: "Political Agenda"Evel KnievelBob TuaxTelevision movie2005KojakTerryEpisode: "East Sixties"Martha Behind BarsFederal Agent #1Television movie2010Degrassi Takes ManhattanArchibald "Archie" SimpsonTelevision movie 2016–2017 Degrassi: Next Class Archibald "Archie" Simpson8 episodes2018Very, Very, ValentineMr. CarlisleTelevision movie2020Canada's Drag RaceHimself1 episodePrivate EyesDean Carl RobinsonEpisode: "Tappa Kegga Daily" A Christmas BreakPhil JohnsonTelevision movie2021American GodsHigh Priest OlaffsonEpisode: "Fire and Ice"2022Air Crash InvestigationNTSB Investigator MacintoshEpisode: "Turboprop Terror"
Web series YearTitleRoleNotes2005–2006Degrassi: MinisArchibald "Archie" Simpson5 episodes
Music videos YearTitleArtist1999"Rock Past It"Scratching Post2018"I'm Upset"Drake
Filmmaking credits YearTitleDirectorProducerWriter Notes2006–2007Instant Star 2 episodes2008Degrassi: MinisEpisode "The Curse of Degrassi"2009–2015Degrassi: The Next Generation51 episodes2009Degrassi Goes HollywoodTelevision movie2010Degrassi Takes ManhattanTelevision movie2012 The L.A. Complex7 episodes2015Open Heart8 episodes2016–2017Degrassi: Next Class20 episodesRaising Expectations2 episodes2018–2022Holly Hobbie23 episodes2021 A Mother's LieTelevision movie A Chance for ChristmasTelevision movie2022Obsessed to Death2023Welcome to ValentineTelevision moviePopularity Papers5 episodesTwisted Neighbor2024Billion Dollar Bluff
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Series ResultRef. 1989 Gemini Award Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Continuing Dramatic Role Degrassi Junior High 1990 Young Artist Award Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast Degrassi High 2002 Gemini Award Geminis' Hottest Star Degrassi: The Next Generation 2010Gemini Award Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series Degrassi: The Next Generation (Episode "Beat It: Part 2") 2011Gemini Award Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series Degrassi: The Next Generation Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Children's Program2012Directors Guild of CanadaOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Family SeriesDegrassi: The Next Generation (episode "Dead and Gone: Part 2")Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Children's ProgramDegrassi: The Next Generation2013Canadian Screen AwardsBest Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series2014Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or SeriesBest Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or SeriesPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Children's Program2015Outstanding Children's ProgramCanadian Screen AwardsBest Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series2016Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or SeriesDirectors Guild of CanadaOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Family SeriesDegrassi: Next Class (episode: "#Sorrynotsorry")Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Family SeriesDegrassi: Next Class (episode: "Bootycall")2017Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Family SeriesDegrassi: Next Class (episode: "#ImSleep)Canadian Screen AwardsBest Children's or Youth Fiction Program or SeriesDegrassi: Next Class2018Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series2020Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or SeriesHolly HobbieDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Children's or Family Viewing Program2021Canadian Screen AwardsBest Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series2023Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series
References
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