All Montreal appearances of Patrice Oneal have been cancelled after the American comedian was refused entry to Canada at the U.S. border on Tuesday.

Just for Laughs has confirmed that his sold-out shows this week have been cancelled after he was turned back at the border.

The New Jersey-based comic Twittered: "I shoulda been in Montreal on Saturday nite, Canadian border police thought otherwise. I now know I can drive 12 hrs straight if needed."

Oneal, 40, has been performing standup since he was 22 and last performed in Montreal in 2008.

He told the Opie and Anthony satellite radio show he was denied entry to Canada because of a prior conviction for statutory rape.

The 24-year-old conviction dated to when he was 16 and involved a girl of 15. He served a three-month sentence.

Oneal said he thought he'd never tell that story and was overcome with emotion after relating it on radio.

Oneal was scheduled to perform Tuesday through Saturday as part of the Just for Laughs festival's Zoofest program.

Ticketholders will be offered a refund, Just for Laughs said.