Jason Priestley tapped as Gemini gala host

Canadian actor Jason Priestley is coming home to celebrate this year's Gemini Awards broadcast, organizers of the annual television honours announced Tuesday.

The Vancouver-born actor will serve as host of the televised Toronto gala on Nov. 28.

Priestley — who shot to fame in the 1990s as Brandon Walsh on the teen soap Beverly Hills,   90210— has juggled work as an actor, director and producer over the years. He also helped promote the careers of Canadian band Barenaked Ladies in the U.S. during the 1990s, eventually even directing a music video and a feature-length documentary of the band.

Presenters who will join Priestley on the Gemini stage include fellow Canadian actors Natasha Henstridge (Eli Stone), Christopher Bolton (Rent-a-Goalie) and Shenae Grimes (90210, Degrassi: The Next Generation).

The 23rd annual Gemini Awards gala will reveal winners of 14 prominent television categories, including best dramatic series, best comedy and best news anchor. A humanitarian honour will also be presented to veteran Toronto news anchor Gord Martineau.

Last month, three non-televised awards ceremonies presented this year's winners with the bulk of the Gemini trophies in less prominent categories.