Ernest Gaskell Sterndale Bennett CM (30 May 1884 – 8 April 1982) was an actor and theatre director in Canada.
Born in London and a grandson of the English composer Sir William Sterndale Bennett, he was educated at Derby School and in 1904 qualified with first class honours as a civil and mechanical engineer from the Central Technical College of the City & Guilds of London Institute.
In 1905, he emigrated to Canada and began working in amateur theatres in Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.
[2][3] Abandoning his career as an engineer in favor of the theatre, he moved to Toronto in 1933 to become a professional actor, director, teacher, adjudicator and consultant.
[4] Bennett was married first to Sarah O'Donnell in 1905 who died the following year, then five years later to Belle Seater who died in 1936 and finally to Hilda Church with whom he established the Toronto-based Canadian Theatre School in 1949[5] In December 1974, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for services to the theatre.