Rick Green

Early life and education

Rick Green was born on November 4, 1953. He pursued higher education at the University of Waterloo, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. This scientific background provided an unconventional foundation for his future career in comedy and television. Before committing to comedy full-time, Green applied his knowledge and communication skills as a presenter at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. His experience there honed his ability to explain complex topics to a general audience, a skill that would later inform both his comedic and advocacy work. The transition from science presenter to comedian illustrates a unique career path that leveraged his educational background in a creative field, moving from factual explanation to humorous performance.

Career with The Frantics

In 1979, Rick Green became a founding member of the Toronto-based sketch-comedy troupe The Frantics, alongside Paul Chato, Dan Redican, and Peter Wildman. The group quickly established itself with a regular series on CBC Radio called Frantic Times . Their success on radio led to a television opportunity with the CBC, and from January to August 1986, The Frantics starred in the weekly CBC Television sketch series Four on the Floor . The Frantics' work on radio and television helped define a particular era of Canadian sketch comedy, influencing subsequent performers and writers with their collaborative approach and satirical style.

Television and production work

Following his work with The Frantics, Rick Green contributed to several landmark Canadian television series. He is perhaps best known to a generation of viewers for his role as Bill on the long-running comedy series The Red Green Show, a role noted by the Canadian Communications Foundation as where he made his mark. Green also made significant contributions as a writer and producer on the satirical historical series History Bites and the groundbreaking talk show about speculative fiction, Prisoners of Gravity. His diverse skill set allowed him to work behind the scenes in writing, producing, and directing roles on these and other projects. In 2024, Green continued his performing career by supplying the lead voice for the Canadian animated short film Roaches, directed by David Creighton. This recent work demonstrates his ongoing activity in the Canadian film and television industry more than forty years after his career began with The Frantics.

Rick Green's key television projects and roles include his work with the sketch-comedy troupe The Frantics. He later became known for his work on the television series The Red Green Show, History Bites and Prisoners of Gravity. The Canadian Communications Foundation notes that Green later made his mark as Bill on The Red Green Show. In 2024, he supplied the lead voice in the animated short Roaches by Canadian writer and director David Creighton.

ADHD advocacy and documentary work

Rick Green received a diagnosis of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which changed his understanding of his own life and career. He subsequently dedicated himself to raising public awareness and improving education about the condition, becoming a noted advocate. In 2009, Green wrote and directed the documentary ADD & Loving It?!, which featured comedian Patrick McKenna. The film aimed to demystify ADHD with a blend of personal stories, expert interviews, and humour, and this project was critically successful, winning a New York Festivals award. For his advocacy efforts that year, Green was also honoured with the CAMH Foundation Celebrity Transforming Lives Award. The documentary serves as a central piece of his advocacy, using the medium of film to reach a broad audience with information about ADHD and to challenge common misconceptions about the condition.

Rick Green's work in ADHD advocacy is defined by several key accomplishments. He was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and later became an advocate for ADHD awareness and education. In 2009, he wrote and directed the documentary ADD and Loving It, which featured comedian Patrick McKenna. The film won a New York Festivals award and Green received the CAMH Foundation Celebrity Transforming Lives Award for 2009.

• Personal diagnosis of adult ADHD, which he has discussed publicly.
• Writing and directing the documentary ADD & Loving It?! in 2009.
• Featuring comedian and actor Patrick McKenna in the documentary.
• Winning a New York Festivals award for the documentary in 2009.
• Receiving the CAMH Foundation Celebrity Transforming Lives Award in 2009 for his advocacy.

Honours and recognition

Rick Green's dual contributions to Canadian culture and public health have been formally recognized by provincial and national institutions. In 2015, he was invested into the Order of Ontario, the province's highest honour. Two years later, in 2017, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. The citation for the Order of Canada specifically noted his contributions to Canadian television as a comedian, actor, and writer, alongside his efforts to raise awareness and understanding of ADHD. These honours highlight the broad impact of his work across the fields of entertainment and social advocacy. The Governor General of Canada's office has described him as known for his work with The Frantics and on the award-winning television series The Red Green Show, History Bites and Prisoners of Gravity, which shows the official recognition of his television career.

Rick Green's major awards and honours include the CAMH Foundation Celebrity Transforming Lives Award for 2009. He was invested into the Order of Ontario in 2015. In 2017, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada appointment recognized his contributions to Canadian television and his efforts to raise awareness and understanding of ADHD.

• New York Festivals award for ADD & Loving It?! (2009)
• CAMH Foundation Celebrity Transforming Lives Award (2009)
• Appointment to the Order of Ontario (2015)
• Appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada (2017)

The Order of Canada appointment in 2017 represents a national acknowledgment of a career that successfully bridged the worlds of comedy and health advocacy. It recognized his contributions to Canadian television as a comedian, actor and writer. It also recognized his efforts to raise awareness and understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The appointment acknowledged his unique path from a University of Waterloo physics graduate to a television performer and a public health educator.

Selected filmography and credits

The following table highlights key projects from Rick Green's career across television and film. It illustrates the range of his work from performer to director. His career shows a progression from ensemble sketch comedy with The Frantics to character roles such as Bill on The Red Green Show. His work also includes behind the scenes production on series like History Bites and focused documentary filmmaking such as ADD and Loving It over more than four decades.

The Canadian Communications Foundation has noted that Green later made his mark as Bill on The Red Green Show. This role connected him with a wide audience across the country. His continued work, such as supplying the lead voice in the 2024 animated short Roaches, confirms an enduring presence in Canadian media. This demonstrates an ability to adapt to new projects and formats throughout a long and varied career.

Personal life and public role

Rick Green has integrated his personal experiences with his professional work, particularly regarding his adult ADHD diagnosis. He has spoken publicly about this diagnosis and its effects, using his platform to educate others and reduce stigma. This public role extends his identity beyond that of a performer to include that of an educator and health advocate, a transition supported by his early work explaining science to the public. His work at the Ontario Science Centre early in his career established a pattern of explaining complex ideas to the public, a pattern that continued with his ADHD documentary and his various television writing and producing roles. By sharing his own story, he has contributed to reducing stigma and increasing understanding of neurodiversity in Canada and internationally, making his personal journey a part of his professional contribution to society.

Questions about Rick Green

What awards has Rick Green won?

Rick Green has received several prestigious awards. In 2009, his documentary ADD & Loving It?! won a New York Festivals award, and he received the CAMH Foundation Celebrity Transforming Lives Award. His broader contributions were recognized with an appointment to the Order of Ontario in 2015. In 2017, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his work in television and his advocacy for ADHD awareness and understanding.

What did Rick Green do before comedy?

Before pursuing comedy full-time, Rick Green worked in a field related to his university studies. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. Following his graduation, he was employed as a presenter at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. This role involved educating the public on scientific concepts, which helped develop the communication skills he later used in his entertainment and advocacy careers.

What is Rick Green's connection to ADHD?

Rick Green was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as an adult. This personal experience led him to become a dedicated advocate for ADHD awareness and education. In 2009, he channeled this advocacy into the documentary ADD & Loving It?!, which he wrote and directed. The film features comedian Patrick McKenna and aims to inform the public about ADHD through a combination of humour, personal narrative, and expert insight.

What was Rick Green's role in The Frantics?

Rick Green was a founding member of the Toronto-based sketch-comedy troupe The Frantics, which formed in 1979. The other members were Paul Chato, Dan Redican, and Peter Wildman. The group first found success with a regular series on CBC Radio called Frantic Times. Their television breakthrough came with the CBC series Four on the Floor, which aired weekly from January to August 1986, starring all four members of the troupe.

What is Rick Green best known for?

Rick Green is best known for his work in Canadian comedy and television. The Governor General of Canada describes him as known for his work with the sketch comedy troupe The Frantics and on the award winning television series The Red Green Show, History Bites and Prisoners of Gravity. The Canadian Communications Foundation notes he later made his mark as Bill on The Red Green Show. He is also known for his advocacy for adult ADHD awareness, having written and directed the documentary ADD & Loving It?!. His contributions to television and ADHD advocacy were recognized with his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2017.

What has Rick Green done recently?

Rick Green has recently been involved in voice acting. In 2024, he supplied the lead voice in the animated short Roaches by Canadian writer and director David Creighton. This work adds to his long career which began in 1979 when he became a member of the Toronto based sketch comedy troupe The Frantics. His career includes writing, producing, directing and performing on series like The Red Green Show and History Bites. He has also produced significant work about adult ADHD, including his award winning 2009 documentary. Green continues to contribute to Canadian arts and advocacy.

Sources and further reading

• Rick Green (Wikipedia)
• Rick Green: From Physics to Comedy Icon and ADHD ... (redgreen.com)
• Who is comedian and CADDAC speaker Rick Green? (caddac.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-30.