Rick Mercer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rick Mercer OC ONL
Mercer in February 2020
Born	Richard Vincent Mercer (1969-10-17) October 17, 1969 (age 55) St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Spouse(s)	Gerald Lunz

Richard Vincent "Rick" Mercer is a famous Canadian comedian, TV star, and author. He was born on October 17, 1969. Rick is best known for his funny work on the CBC Television shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Rick Mercer Report. He has also written several books based on his TV shows. Rick Mercer has won more than 25 Gemini Awards for his amazing television work.

Rick Mercer's Career Journey

Starting Out in Comedy

Rick Mercer first became well-known in 1990. He created and performed a one-man stage show in Ottawa. This show was a funny look at Canadian life and made Rick a national star. He toured this show all across Canada. In 1992, he created another popular stage show that also toured widely.

Working on This Hour Has 22 Minutes

In 1992, Rick started working with other comedians to create a new TV show for CBC. This show became This Hour Has 22 Minutes. For eight seasons, Rick created many memorable moments on the show.

Rick's Famous Rants

One of Rick's most popular parts of 22 Minutes was his "rants." In these short segments, he would talk directly to the camera. He would share his funny opinions on current political topics. These rants quickly became a signature part of the show. In 1998, he published a book called Streeters, which collected many of his famous rants. It became a national bestseller.

Talking to Americans Comedy Segments

A very funny part of 22 Minutes was Rick's "Talking to Americans" segments. Rick would travel to big American cities. He would interview Americans on the street about Canadian topics. He often used their lack of knowledge about Canada for comedic effect.

For example, Rick once asked Americans if Canada should change its "20 Hour Clock." He even got approval from the Governor of Iowa for this fake idea. Another time, he got support for saving the "National Igloo" from the Governor of Arkansas.

In 2000, Rick made international news with a "Talking to Americans" stunt. He got then-presidential candidate George W. Bush to answer questions about a fake Canadian Prime Minister, "Jean Poutine." Bush later joked about this incident when he visited Canada.

In 2001, a special TV show based on Talking to Americans was made. It was watched by 2.7 million Canadians. This made it the highest-rated TV special in Canadian history at the time.

Creating Made in Canada

Rick Mercer also helped create the TV series Made in Canada. This show ran for five seasons from 1998 to 2003 on CBC Television. It was a fast-paced comedy that made fun of the Canadian TV production world. The show won several Gemini Awards.

Hosting The Rick Mercer Report

In 2003, after Made in Canada finished, Rick started a new CBC series. It was first called Rick Mercer's Monday Report and began in January 2004. The show was similar to 22 Minutes.

In 2003, Rick also visited Canadian troops in Afghanistan. This trip resulted in a TV special called Christmas in Kabul.

The Rick Mercer Report became very popular. It was the highest-rated arts and entertainment show on the CBC. Many famous Canadians appeared on the show. These included former Prime Ministers Paul Martin and Jean Chrétien. Other guests included Olympic athletes and musicians like Jann Arden and Sarah McLachlan.

In 2005, the show moved to Tuesday nights. Its name was changed to The Rick Mercer Report. The show continued to be very successful. In 2017, it was announced that the show would end after 15 seasons. The final episode aired on April 10, 2018.

Other TV and Film Appearances

Rick Mercer has hosted It Seems Like Yesterday, a show about pop culture from the 1950s to the 1980s. He has also appeared in a few movies. These include Secret Nation and Bon Cop, Bad Cop.

In 2022, Rick launched a new CBC Television series. It is called Comedy Night with Rick Mercer. This show features stand-up comedy from new Canadian comedians.

Rick Mercer's Books

Rick Mercer has written several books. His book Rick Mercer Report: The Book was published in 2007. It collected his rants from the first four seasons of Rick Mercer Report. This book became a bestseller. An updated paperback version was released in 2008.

His next book, A Nation Worth Ranting About, was published in 2012 and also became a bestseller. Rick Mercer Final Report was published in 2018.

Rick has also written two memoirs. Talking to Canadians: A Memoir was published in November 2021. This book won the 2022 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. His second memoir, The Road Years: A Memoir Continued, was published in October 2023.

Awards and Honours for Rick Mercer

Rick Mercer has received many awards for his work. He has won more than 25 Gemini Awards for his television shows. In 2003, he received the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award.

In 2004, Rick was given the National Arts Centre Award. He donated his prize money to a theatre in Newfoundland where he performed his early shows. He also holds many honorary degrees from different universities across Canada.

In 2007, he was named an honorary colonel for a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron.

On June 30, 2014, Rick Mercer was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honours. He received this award for inspiring Canadians with his humour and for his charity work. In 2019, he received the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award.

Rick Mercer's Charity Work

Rick Mercer is involved in many important causes. He is a co-chair for the Spread the Net campaign, which works with UNICEF. This campaign provides bed nets to help prevent malaria in Africa.

In 2004, Rick appeared in commercials for the Government of Canada's One-Tonne Challenge. He also modeled for a men's clothing store, and all his fees went to Casey House. This is a hospice in Toronto that helps people living with AIDS.

In 2005, Rick became the national spokesperson for the Walk For Life. This event raises money for people living with HIV and AIDS across Canada. He has also narrated a science video about climate change.

In November 2010, Rick joined the It Gets Better campaign. This campaign creates videos to help young people overcome bullying. Since 2011, Rick has been an honorary patron for Hope Air. This charity provides free flights for people who need to travel for medical care but cannot afford it.

Rick Mercer's Early Life

Rick Mercer was born in St. John's, Newfoundland. He grew up in Middle Cove. His mother was a nurse, and his father worked in the fisheries ministry. Rick was a member of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets when he was a teenager.

Rick's spouse since 1990 is television producer Gerald Lunz. Gerald Lunz discovered Rick and has been his long-time partner in business. He was also the executive producer of Rick Mercer Report.