Tim Sims


Tim Sims was a Canadian actor and comedian.
He is known for his roles as Jack the Cave Man on The Red Green Show and as Circle Researcher Rory Tate in a series of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercials in the 1990s. He also performed sketch comedy with The Second City.
Sims died at the age of 33 from AIDS-related causes. The Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award and Tim Sims Playhouse, a Toronto venue used by The Second City, are both named in his honour.

Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award

The Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award is an annual award given to Toronto's "most promising new comedy act." It was established by Sims' widow, comic actor Lindsay Leese. From 1996-2015, the Award is given annually as part of the Cream of Comedy showcase at The Second City, which features performances by that year's five finalists and which was televised by The Comedy Network until the final few years. In 2015, the 20th and final Cream of Comedy showcase took place at Toronto's Second City, featuring performances by many previous winners and nominees.
Since 2016 two Tim Sims Awards have been given out annually, one to a Second City Training Centre Conservatory Program Graduate, and another to a student of the Comedy Writing and Performance Program at Humber College.

Winners

1996-2015

*in 2002 Hart and Polley tied for the award after the jury became hopelessly deadlocked; a new rule was made that Lindsay Leese would receive a tie-break in future years, if necessary, to avoid the same problem.

2015-present

Humber College Comedy Program students