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Heron Terrace resident living out dream of being a voice actor
Mario Brissette recently received a ventriloquist's dummy and has been entertaining residents
7/11/2025
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Deron Hamel
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With his quick wit and a ventriloquist's dummy, Heron Terrace resident Mario Brissette is bringing fun and laughter to the Windsor long-term care community's residents.
Since receiving a ventriloquist's dummy for his birthday earlier this year, Mario has been turning his passion for acting and voice work into performances for fellow residents.
Entertaining people is a passion Mario has had his whole life – and it's a passion he never gave up on, says Sheila Dela Pena-Romero, Heron Terrace's life enrichment manager.
“From a young age, Mario could change his voice to sound like anyone; from an old man to a young and chipper cartoon character,” she tells S&R Today.
But despite his extraordinary skills, circumstances kept him from pursuing acting, she adds. Still, Mario found a way to keep his dream alive by learning the art of ventriloquism.
“With the help of his new skill, he could make his voice appear to come from different sources – seemingly from thin air,” Sheila says.
One day, Mario decided to show off his ventriloquist talent to his family. Using a puppet changed his voice, Mario told Sheila.
As he performed for his young granddaughter, she became increasingly confused and anxious and started arguing with him, convinced that his voice couldn't possibly be coming from the puppet.
It took her older sister to calm her down and explain, “It's not real; it's just Grandpa's voice magic.”
This is how good Mario is at his art, Sheila says.
For now, Mario has been happy entertaining residents on a one-to-one basis, but he has loftier future goals, Sheila says.
“He hopes to one day organize a talent show at the home, bringing laughter and fun to everyone around him,” she says.
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