RICK MERCER

One of this country’s most highly respected writer/actors, Rick Mercer returns to star in the third season of Salter Street Films’ Gemini Award winning comedy series Made in Canada, which he created with Gerald Lunz and Michael Donovan. His outstanding contribution to comedy with political punch has been recognized with 12 Gemini Awards for both writing and performing on the top-rated This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Also for his work on the series, Mercer was co-named Journalist of the Year at the Atlantic Journalism Awards. Other awards include the 1993 Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Artist of the Year and in spring of 2000, he earned 3 Canadian Comedy Awards for his work on This Hour and Made in Canada. Hailing from St. John’s Newfoundland, Mercer premiered his one-man show at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre (NAC) in 1991. Show Me the Button, I’ll Push It became a national hit and was performed from St. John’s to Vancouver. His second one-man show, the critically acclaimed I’ve Killed Before; I’ll Kill Again opened at NAC in 1992. It played to sold-out houses across Canada. His latest single-hander, A Good Place to Hide, also premiered at the NAC in May 1995, and was met with critical praise and full houses. Time and Maclean’s have published his work. In June 1998, his first book, Streeters was published by Doubleday and quickly rose to #1 on the Globe and Mail’s National Best Seller List. He hosted the East Coast Music Awards in 1998/1999, the 2000 Gemini Awards where Made in Canada was honoured with the award for Best Comedy Series and the 2001 Juno Awards.