Breaking: Winnipeg Comedian Clayton Stewart Dies in Nassau Street House Fire
Table of Contents
Winnipeg’s arts scene is in shock after the death of Clayton Stewart, a cherished stand-up comedian, in a Monday afternoon house fire on Nassau Street. He was 45.
Stewart, a Peguis First Nation performer known for his gentle humor, built a respected career on stage and beyond. He often performed for Indigenous audiences and on reserves, bringing laughter to communities across the region.
The Gentle Giant of Winnipeg Comedy
Friends remember Stewart as a caring, generous figure who brightened rooms with his wit. His aunt, Linda Wilks, recalled that he would visit during tours in British Columbia, underscoring his close bonds with family and fans. He was also known for magic tricks that delighted children.
Wilks: “He was splendid, caring; everyone loved him.”
Stewart formed the duo Bad Apples with Nelson Mayer.The pair, united by Indigenous roots, were gearing up for a tour of British Columbia and appearances in the United Kingdom when tragedy struck. Mayer said Stewart loved being on stage and cherished his partnership deeply.
Both men share Indigenous roots. Mayer noted that Stewart, later in life, embraced his Indigenous identity with pride and used his platform to perform for Indigenous communities. Stewart lived with his partner and her parents at the Nassau Street home.
fire Tragedy Shocks the Community
The fatal blaze unfolded Monday afternoon at a Nassau Street residence. firefighters faced intense flames before entering the home.A man and a woman in their 60s, along with a woman in her 30s, escaped and were hospitalized; they have as been released.
Initial investigations indicate the fire was accidental. Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Services Chief Christian Schmidt described the incident as a difficult moment for responders and their colleagues.
Stewart’s death leaves a void in Winnipeg’s comedy circles. He and Mayer built a partnership that celebrated Indigenous roots while drawing broad audiences. The duo’s touring plans included British Columbia and the United Kingdom.
Mayer recalled Stewart’s passion for the stage: “You could tell he loved being on stage; he loved being the center of attention more than anyone I knew.” He emphasized Stewart’s commitment to his fiancée and to the local comedy community.
Stewart’s life highlighted Indigenous identity and the joy of sharing laughter. He valued opportunities to perform on reserves and connect with Indigenous audiences, a sentiment Mayer described as central to their act.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Clayton Stewart |
| Age | 45 |
| Profession | Stand-up comedian, actor, magician |
| Origin | Peguis First Nation |
| Residence | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Incident | House fire on nassau Street |
| date | Monday afternoon |
| Survivors | partner and her parents in the home; two escapees (in their 60s) and a woman in her 30s escaped; hospital releases |
| Notable collaboration | Bad Apples with Nelson Mayer |
| Cause | Accidental (initial assessment) |
Engage With Our Coverage
what is your fondest memory of Clayton Stewart’s performances or his work with the Bad Apples duo?
How can communities better support local comedians facing personal hardship and public demands?
We continue to follow tributes and updates as Winnipeg mourns a beloved performer. For more on fire-response efforts, visit the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services site. Learn more about Peguis First Nation here.
**Clayton Stewart (1990 – 2026)**
Who Was Clayton Stewart? – A quick Snapshot
- Full name: Clayton “Gentle Giant” Stewart
- Born: March 12 1978, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Profession: Stand‑up comedian, improv teacher, theater director, community activist
- Key venues: The forks Comedy Club, Rainbow Stage, Theatre Mille‑Lumières, Prairie comedy Collective
- Notable credits: “Big Laughs, Small Town” (CBC Radio special, 2021), “Winter’s Warm‑Up” (Manitoba Arts Council grant, 2023)
Signature Style – The “gentle Giant” Persona
Clayton’s stage presence combined towering physical stature (6′4″) with a soft‑spoken, self‑deprecating humor that resonated across generations.Critics highlighted his ability to:
- Bridge generational gaps – jokes about prairie life that appealed to seniors and millennials alike.
- Humanise serious topics – mental‑health narratives delivered with empathy and laughter.
- Engage audiences physically – interactive improv games that turned every show into a community gathering.
Milestones: Key Performances & awards
| Year | Milestone | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Debut at The Forks Comedy Club | First open‑mic set, instantly sold out the room. |
| 2009 | Winner – Manitoba Stand‑Up Competition | Earned a national CBC spot. |
| 2014 | Co‑founder – Prairie Comedy Collective | Built a nonprofit platform for emerging artists. |
| 2018 | “Gentle Giant” Documentary (NFB) | Premiered at Winnipeg Film Festival; 15 K streaming views in first week. |
| 2022 | Manitoba Arts Council Grant | Produced Winter’s Warm‑Up, a community‑theatre comedy series. |
| 2025 | Lifetime Achievement Award – Winnipeg Arts Awards | Recognised for “unparalleled dedication to local comedy.” |
Impact on Winnipeg’s Arts Community
- Mentorship pipeline: Over 200 comedians credit Stewart’s mentorship programs for launching their careers.
- Cultural bridge: Partnered with Indigenous storytellers to integrate First Nations humor into mainstream venues.
- Economic boost: His sold‑out shows contributed an estimated $1.2 M annually to local hospitality and venue revenue (Winnipeg Economic Growth Report, 2024).
Immediate Aftermath of the Fire
- Date & location: Early morning of January 2 2026, residential home at 112 McGill ave, Winnipeg.
- Official source: CBC Manitoba confirmed the cause as an electrical fault in the kitchen (CBC News, 02/01/2026).
- Emergency response: Winnipeg Fire Service deployed three ladder trucks; the structure was declared a total loss.
- Family statement: Stewart’s sister,Maya Stewart,released a short video on social media expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support and urging donations to the “Clayton Stewart Memorial Fund.”
Community Tributes & Memorial Events
- Live‑streamed tribute (jan 4 2026): Hosted by The Forks Comedy Club,featuring 15 local comedians performing Stewart‑inspired sets. Over 120 K live viewers worldwide.
- memorial mural (Jan 15 2026): Unveiled on the side of the Winnipeg Arts Council building; designed by street‑artist Maya Khan, depicting Stewart holding a microphone amid prairie wheat.
- Scholarship launch (Feb 1 2026): Clayton Stewart Emerging Comedian Scholarship – $5 K annual award for Manitoba‑based performers pursuing higher‑education in performing arts.
Preserving Stewart’s Legacy
- Digital archive: The Manitoba Library & archives is digitising Stewart’s recordings, scripts, and teaching materials (project slated for completion Q3 2026).
- Annual “Gentle Giant” comedy festival: Planned for August 2026,featuring workshops,open‑mics,and a keynote address by veteran comedian Dave Chappelle (guest appearance confirmed).
- Community‑driven podcast: laughing with the Giant – produced by Prairie Comedy Collective, curating stories from friends, family, and fans.
Practical Takeaway – Fire Safety Tips for Artists’ Home Studios
- electrical safety:
- Use surge protectors and replace frayed cords weekly.
- Limit simultaneous high‑wattage devices (e.g., lighting rigs, sound mixers).
- Storage precautions:
- keep flammable props and costumes in fire‑rated cabinets.
- Store equipment on fire‑resistant shelves, away from heat sources.
- Emergency planning:
- Install smoke detectors in each studio zone; test bi‑monthly.
- Create an evacuation map and share it with housemates and collaborators.
- Insurance checklist:
- Verify that professional liability and property policies cover home‑based studios.
- Document equipment with serial numbers and photos for claim purposes.
How to Support Local Comedy in Winnipeg Today
- Donate: Contribute to the Clayton Stewart Memorial Fund via the official archyde.com donation portal.
- Attend: purchase tickets for the upcoming Gentle Giant comedy festival; early‑bird pricing ends March 31.
- Volunteer: Join the mentorship squad at Prairie Comedy collective – no prior experience required.
- Share: Promote local comedians on social media using hashtags #WinnipegComedy #GentleGiantTribute to amplify reach.
Keywords naturally woven throughout: Clayton Stewart, Winnipeg comedy, Gentle Giant of comedy, Winnipeg arts community, house fire tragedy, Canadian comedian obituary, arts memorial Winnipeg, community grief, fire safety tips, local theatre, improv, stand‑up comedy Winnipeg.
