Rick Campanelli

Early life and education

Rick Campanelli was born on January 5, 1970, in Hamilton, Ontario, into a working class Italian-Canadian family. He was raised Roman Catholic and is the youngest of four siblings. Campanelli attended school in St. Catharines before pursuing higher education at Brock University. He graduated with a degree in physical education, which provided a foundation before his eventual shift into the entertainment industry. His early life in a close-knit family environment in southern Ontario shaped his relatable on-air persona that would later resonate with Canadian audiences.

Breakthrough at MuchMusic

Campanelli's broadcasting career began in 1994 when he won MuchMusic's MuchTemp contest, earning him a temporary position at the music television channel. Initially nicknamed "Rick the Temp" by viewers, his easy-going and energetic style quickly made him a fan favourite. His popularity and longevity on the network eventually earned him the moniker "The Franchise." Beyond introducing music videos, Campanelli took on hosting duties for several key MuchMusic programs including Much on Demand, The MuchMusic Countdown, and The MuchMusic Radio Countdown. His final appearance on the network was on MuchOnDemand on August 26, 2005, concluding a nearly decade-long tenure that cemented his status as one of Canada's most recognizable video jockeys.

Transition to entertainment journalism

Shortly after his departure from MuchMusic, Campanelli joined the newly launched Canadian edition of Entertainment Tonight. He was announced as one of the original reporters for ET Canada, which premiered on September 12, 2005. In this role, he covered major entertainment events such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars, bringing Hollywood news to Canadian audiences. Campanelli co-hosted the program for twelve years, with his contract concluding in the summer of 2017. His final appearances on ET Canada aired in August of that year. During this period, he also hosted segments for other programs, including the Canada's Case Game feature on Global's Deal or No Deal Canada in early 2007.

Radio career and other ventures

Parallel to his television work, Campanelli established a significant presence in Canadian radio. In February 2016, it was announced he would join Toronto station CFNY-FM as co-host of the morning show alongside Fred Kennedy and Melanie Mariani, beginning that June. He later moved to Z103.5 in November 2021 as co-host of their morning show, a position he held until December 2022. In 2024, he joined CHFI-FM in Toronto as an afternoon host. His radio role evolved in 2025 when he joined Breakfast Television, leading him to leave the weekday shift on CHFI but retain a Sunday morning show on the station called Rewind with Rick Campanelli. Campanelli also ventured into other media, making a cameo in a 2016 music video and co-hosting the 90's Nostalgia concert tour in 2021 with former MuchMusic colleague Monika Deol.

Television appearances and memoir

Campanelli expanded his television portfolio beyond news and music programming. He hosted Food Network Canada's The Incredible Food Race. In 2023, he competed on the first season of the reality competition series The Traitors Canada, where he played as a Faithful contestant. He was banished by his fellow castmates in the fifth episode of the season. On September 1, 2026, Campanelli released a memoir titled Tempted. In the book, he offers a candid account of his rise to fame and his career in broadcasting, including his struggles with a gambling addiction. The memoir reveals aspects of his life both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Philanthropy and personal life

Outside of his professional commitments, Campanelli has been actively involved with numerous charitable organizations throughout his career. His philanthropic work includes support for World Vision Canada, the Tuberous Sclerosis charity, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, McMaster Children's Hospital, and Kids Help Phone. On May 27, 2009, he hosted the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative event in Toronto. Campanelli is a father of three children, balancing his busy career with family life. He has maintained a connection to his roots, living close to his hometown in the Greater Toronto Area.

Current role on Breakfast Television

As of 2025, Rick Campanelli serves as a live eye reporter for Citytv's Breakfast Television in Toronto. In this capacity, he reports live from various locations and events across the city, bringing news and human interest stories to the morning show's audience. This role marks a return to daily television news reporting following his years in entertainment journalism and radio. He continues to host his Sunday morning radio program, Rewind with Rick Campanelli, on CHFI-FM, maintaining his dual presence on both television and radio. His long career, spanning over three decades, demonstrates his adaptability and enduring appeal in the Canadian media landscape.

Questions about Rick Campanelli

How did Rick Campanelli get his start on MuchMusic?

Rick Campanelli began his career by winning MuchMusic's 1994 MuchTemp contest. This victory earned him a temporary position as a video jockey on the network, where he was initially introduced to viewers as "Rick the Temp. His relatable and energetic style quickly resonated with audiences, leading to a permanent role. He became one of the channel's most popular hosts, eventually earning the nickname "The Franchise" for his long tenure and high popularity.

How long was Rick Campanelli on ET Canada?

Rick Campanelli was with ET Canada for twelve years, from its launch in September 2005 until the summer of 2017. He was one of the original reporters announced for the new Canadian licensee of Entertainment Tonight. Campanelli co-hosted the program and covered major entertainment events during his tenure. His final appearances on the show aired in August 2017 when his contract concluded.

What radio stations has Rick Campanelli worked for?

Rick Campanelli has worked for several major Toronto radio stations. He co-hosted the morning show on CFNY-FM starting in June 2016. Later, he was co-host of the morning show on Z103.5 from November 2021 to December 2022. In 2024, he joined CHFI-FM as an afternoon host. As of 2025, he hosts a Sunday morning show called Rewind with Rick Campanelli on CHFI while having left the weekday shift to focus on television.

What is Rick Campanelli's role on Breakfast Television?

As of 2025, Rick Campanelli works as a live eye reporter for Citytv's Breakfast Television in Toronto. In this role, he reports live from various locations and events across the city for the morning news and entertainment program. He delivers on-the-ground coverage and human interest stories. This position represents his current primary television commitment alongside his Sunday radio show.

Did Rick Campanelli write a book?

Yes, Rick Campanelli released a memoir titled Tempted on September 1, 2026. The book details his rise to fame and his extensive career in Canadian broadcasting. It offers a candid look at his public life and his experiences behind the scenes. Notably, the memoir opens up about his personal struggles, including a gambling addiction.

What reality TV show did Rick Campanelli compete on?

In 2023, Rick Campanelli competed on the first season of The Traitors Canada. He played the game as a Faithful contestant, tasked with identifying the 'Traitors' among the cast. His time on the show ended when he was banished by his fellow castmates during the fifth episode. This appearance added a competitive reality television credit to his diverse broadcasting portfolio.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.