John Hemphill
John Hemphill is a Canadian comic actor, writer, and producer whose career spans over four decades in television and live comedy. He is a notable alumnus of The Second City troupe in Toronto and gained widespread recognition for his role as the optimistic Bob Currie on the hit series Schitt's Creek. His work as a performer and writer on the influential sketch series Second City Television and his co-writing credit on the television film Sodbusters with Eugene Levy are central to his reputation. Hemphill's consistent performances have earned him nominations for both a Gemini Award and a Canadian Screen Award, marking him as a significant contributor to Canadian comedy.
Early career and Second City
John Hemphill's professional comedy career is deeply rooted in the improvisational tradition of The Second City. He was a longtime performer with the troupe's Toronto cast, where he honed his skills in character creation and sketch comedy. This foundational experience led directly to his work as a writer for the influential sketch comedy series Second City Television, commonly known as SCTV. On that series, Hemphill also appeared in supporting character roles, demonstrating his range through various personas. His notable SCTV characters included Happy Marsden, Wesley Wilks, Willem DeCooney, and Dr. Ryne Thurman, each contributing to the show's satirical fabric. His transition from stage to television writing for SCTV followed a common path for troupe members, allowing him to contribute to one of Canada's most celebrated comedy exports.
Television and film work
Beyond SCTV, Hemphill built a substantial body of work across Canadian television series and films. He appeared in a variety of television shows including the children's series RoboRoach, the comedy The Jane Show, the sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie, and the earlier series Maniac Mansion, which was based on the popular video game. His film appearances include a role in the 1987 comedy Adventures in Babysitting. Hemphill also worked in television films, starring in Hostage for a Day and the comedy western Sodbusters. For Sodbusters, he served as co-writer alongside fellow Canadian comedy legend Eugene Levy, highlighting his talents behind the camera as well as in front of it. This collaboration resulted in a Gemini Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Program for Hemphill at the 9th Gemini Awards in 1995. His television work demonstrates a versatility across genres, from family programming to satirical comedy, and established him as a reliable and recognizable character actor on Canadian screens for many years.
Role on Schitt's Creek and later recognition
A defining role in Hemphill's later career was his portrayal of Bob Currie on the hit CBC series Schitt's Creek. He played the upbeat, jogging-suited town resident from the show's first season in 2015 through its final season in 2020. His performance as the eternally optimistic Bob became a beloved recurring element of the show's ensemble cast. This role brought him wider recognition and critical acclaim, culminating in a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 5th Canadian Screen Awards. The nomination highlighted his ability to deliver a nuanced and memorable character within the show's celebrated comedic framework. Schitt's Creek achieved unprecedented international success, winning multiple Emmy Awards, and Hemphill's participation in the series introduced his work to a global audience. His character Bob Currie, though not a central figure, provided consistent comedic warmth and represented the quirky heart of the show's small-town setting.
Directing and work with Women Fully Clothed
In addition to his performing and writing, Hemphill has made significant contributions as a director. Since 2003, he has directed the comedy troupe Women Fully Clothed, a group composed of esteemed Second City alumnae. The troupe's members include Debra McGrath, Robin Duke, Jayne Eastwood, Teresa Pavlinek, and Kathy Greenwood, all accomplished performers in Canadian comedy. His work with the troupe involves shaping their live sketch comedy shows, which have toured extensively. This directorial role demonstrates his enduring connection to the Second City community and his skill in collaborating with other comedic talents to develop and stage original material. Directing a troupe of veteran performers requires a nuanced understanding of sketch structure and timing, skills Hemphill refined through his years with Second City and SCTV. His ongoing work with Women Fully Clothed ensures his continued involvement in the live comedy scene, complementing his recorded television and film work.
Awards and nominations
John Hemphill's work has been acknowledged by Canada's major entertainment award bodies. His nominations span different eras of his career, reflecting consistent performance quality. Decades later, the Canadian Screen Awards, which succeeded the Geminis, nominated him for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on Schitt's Creek. These nominations recognize his excellence in both television film and series comedy, highlighting his versatility as a performer across different formats and genres within Canadian television. While he has not won these specific awards, the nominations themselves are a mark of peer recognition and signify the high regard for his contributions within the industry.
Selected filmography and career chronology
The following table highlights a selection of John Hemphill's notable screen appearances across film and television, illustrating the breadth and timeline of his career. He is a Canadian comic actor, writer and producer born in 1953. His career includes a film appearance in Adventures in Babysitting from 1987. He also appeared in television films such as Hostage for a Day and Sodbusters.
| Year | Title | Role/Contribution | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Adventures in Babysitting | Actor | Film |
| 1995 | Hostage for a Day | Actor | Television Film |
| 2003 | Began directing Women Fully Clothed | Director | Live Theatre |
| 2015 to 2020 | Schitt's Creek | Bob Currie | Television Series |
Contributions to Canadian comedy
John Hemphill's career embodies several key threads in the development of modern Canadian comedy. His path from the Second City stage to television writing and performing on SCTV mirrors that of many famous Canadian comedians, reinforcing the importance of live improvisational theatre as a training ground. His collaborative work, such as co-writing with Eugene Levy, points to the tightly knit networks within the Canadian entertainment industry where partnerships often span decades. His later success on Schitt's Creek connects him to a new wave of Canadian comedy that achieved critical and popular success both domestically and internationally. By directing the troupe Women Fully Clothed, he supports the work of other veteran female comedians, contributing to the diversity of voices in Canadian comedy. His enduring presence across different media and eras makes him a connecting figure between classic sketch comedy and contemporary television sitcoms, and his award nominations validate his sustained impact on the field.
Questions about John Hemphill
What is John Hemphill best known for?
John Hemphill is best known for his long career in Canadian comedy, particularly his work with The Second City troupe in Toronto and his role as Bob Currie on the popular television series Schitt's Creek. He is also recognized for his writing and performing on Second City Television (SCTV) and for co-writing the television film Sodbusters with Eugene Levy. His portrayal of the perpetually cheerful Bob Currie from 2015 to 2020 brought him significant acclaim and a Canadian Screen Award nomination. His career serves as a bridge between the foundational sketch comedy of SCTV and the modern success of shows like Schitt's Creek.
What character did John Hemphill play on Schitt's Creek?
On Schitt's Creek, John Hemphill played Bob Currie, a friendly and optimistic resident of the small town. Bob was known for his distinctive track suits and his upbeat, somewhat naive demeanour. Hemphill appeared as this recurring character throughout the series' entire run from 2015 to 2020. His performance was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. The character often appeared in town scenes, offering a consistent representation of the community's quirky and good-natured spirit.
Did John Hemphill win any awards for his work?
John Hemphill has received award nominations for his work but, based on available records, has not won the major awards for which he was nominated. He was nominated for a Gemini Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Program in 1995 for his role in Sodbusters. Later, he received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance on Schitt's Creek. These nominations are significant acknowledgements of his talent within the Canadian industry and place him among the recognized performers of his generation.
What other television shows has John Hemphill been in?
Beyond Schitt's Creek and SCTV, John Hemphill has appeared in numerous other Canadian television series. His credits include RoboRoach, The Jane Show, Little Mosque on the Prairie, and Maniac Mansion. He also starred in television films such as Hostage for a Day and Sodbusters, the latter of which he also co-wrote. This filmography demonstrates his extensive and varied contributions to Canadian television comedy and drama over several decades, showing his adaptability to different types of programming from children's shows to sitcoms.
What does John Hemphill do as a director?
Since 2003, John Hemphill has worked as the director for the live comedy troupe Women Fully Clothed. The troupe is composed of veteran Second City alumnae Debra McGrath, Robin Duke, Jayne Eastwood, Teresa Pavlinek, and Kathy Greenwood. In this capacity, Hemphill helps to develop, shape, and stage the troupe's sketch comedy performances for live audiences. This role highlights his skills behind the scenes and his ongoing collaboration with other prominent figures in Canadian comedy. Directing a sketch troupe involves curating material, working on pacing, and helping performers refine their characters for the stage.
What was John Hemphill's involvement with Second City?
John Hemphill was a longtime player with The Second City troupe's Toronto cast. He was a writer for Second City Television and appeared in supporting character roles such as Happy Marsden, Wesley Wilks, Willem DeCooney and Dr. Ryne Thurman. This foundational work with the renowned comedy institution established his career in Canadian television and sketch comedy. His involvement with Second City also extended to directing, as he began directing the comedy troupe Women Fully Clothed in 2003. This troupe was composed of Second City alumnae including Debra McGrath, Robin Duke, Jayne Eastwood, Teresa Pavlinek and Kathy Greenwood.
Sources and further reading
- John Hemphill (Wikipedia)
- John Hemphill Movies and Shows (tv.apple.com)
- John Hemphill (Actor) - Broadway & Theatre Credits ... (broadwayworld.com)
Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-04.
