Rick Green: From Physics to Comedy Icon and ADHD Advocate

Rick Green's journey began unconventionally. Though he earned a physics degree and put it to use at the Ontario Science Centre, his true passion lay in entertainment. After five years, he took a leap of faith, leaving his secure job to pursue comedy full-time. While his first venture, "The Frantics," wasn't universally acclaimed, it set the stage for his future successes.

Rick then went on to create a unique show called "Prisoners of Gravity," combining science fiction with comic book elements and featuring interviews with creators. This was followed by an even bolder move: a comedy show on History Television, a seemingly unlikely genre pairing that unexpectedly became a cult classic.

In 2009, Rick's documentary "A.D.D. & Loving It?!" shed light on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Featuring his friend Patrick McKenna (Harold from The Red Green Show), the documentary's success surprised everyone. It went viral on PBS, turning Rick into a leading voice on ADHD education and advocacy.

However, Rick's most recognizable role is likely "Bill" on the iconic "The Red Green Show." He co-created and co-wrote the show with Steve Smith (Red Green) and even directed several seasons, showcasing his multifaceted talent.

For ADHD awareness month, we sat down with Rick to learn a little more about his experience on the Red Green Show, his love for comedy and how he is living with Adult ADHD and “Loving it”.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A COMEDIAN? WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE ACTUALLY FUNNY?

I first realized I was funny on Friday, July 18th, 1975, when I shared my hopes and dreams and everyone laughed at me. Rather than be mortified, I pretended I was joking. And now, I can’t stop. Also, that was two questions, not one. Just saying.

HOW DID THE CHARACTERS OF RED GREEN DEVELOP? NAMELY BILL. AND WHY WAS IT FILMED IN BLACK AND WHITE?

They developed fairly normally. Toddlerhood, teens, young adults, middle-aged, and so on. Well, maybe not Harold.

Bill was actually a character I created when I was in The Frantics comedy troupe, and he was based on my father. Oddly, he first appeared on our national radio show, ‘Frantic Times.’ Being radio, you only ever heard Bill’s voice...On Red Green, you never heard Bill speak.

I can tell you that the Adventures With Bill were in black and white as an homage to the great silent comedies of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Laurel & Hardy. But if I told you that, I’d be lying. In fact, when we were shooting the very first episode of Adventures With Bill, we had planned to do it on film, and the cameraman realized he had not brought enough color film. So we made the executive decision, based on a laughably small budget, to just use black and white, which we had plenty of. It turns out it was cheaper than color film.

YOU HAVE A ROBUST RESUME IN COMEDY AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE FRANTICS, HISTORY BITES, ADVENTURES WITH BILL, AND AS THE HOST OF THE CULT SCI-FI & COMIC BOOK SERIES "PRISONERS OF GRAVITY"

LOOKING BACK, WHICH OF THESE DO YOU YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH NOW?

Great question. If I had to pick one, I wouldn’t. They were all me. Or some aspect of me. Or some aspect of who I aspired to be. Or some aspect of who I could never be.

Okay, fine, uh, eenie, meenie, minie…it was History Bites. Thanks to Steve Smith who suggested the name. On to question six by my count. Or maybe my favorite was Red Green…

WHEN DID YOU FIRST LEARN YOU HAD ADHD? AND HOW DO YOU HTINK IT AFFECTED YOUR CHARACTER BILL?

I was forty seven years old, and my son had just been diagnosed. Being a somewhat responsible father I demanded to see the test results. Looking over the list of eighteen core symptoms I snorted, ‘Everyone struggles with these challenges. This is completely normal for everyone.’

It turns out that most people didn’t struggle with these challenges. These weren’t ‘normal,’ But they were MY normal.

As for Bill, he is the embodiment of many ADHD traits: short attention span, enthusiastic, restless, easily distracted, not planning ahead, taking risks, and when something goes slightly wrong he doesn’t adjust what he’s doing, he tries something completely different. A bit like Wile E. Coyote.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH ADHD? WHAT DO. YOU THINK IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MISCONCEPTION FOR THOSE STRUGGLING?

For anyone struggling, it’s going to be okay. It’s been called a good news diagnosis because everything changes once you have a proper diagnosis.

People with ADHD can soar in the right situation. We love novelty and excitement. Just dial 911 and a whole bunch of people with ADHD will show up at your house. ADHD is rampant in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, pro sports, and sales. Lots of chefs, DJs, and entrepreneurs have this unique wiring. We can be impulsive, but also risk-takers, so a lot of successful entrepreneurs have been diagnosed with it.

The biggest misconception, and the most damaging one, is that ADHD is not real. ‘It’s just an excuse. It’s laziness. Lack of willpower. ‘You just need to try harder.’ Like we aren’t already trying as hard as we can.

Frustrated parents or spouses dismiss the possibility because “He can focus just fine when it’s something that he is interested in!” Guess what? That is EXACTLY the issue with ADHD. When we’re interested, we can be unstoppable. When we’re not… Zzzz…

I have a huge model railroad that is full of incredible detail. But I couldn’t balance my bank account if you paid me. Maybe if you paid me in model trains instead of cash…

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR DOCUMENTARY, 'ADD AND LOVING IT?!'

When I told all the comedians I worked with that I’d been diagnosed with ADHD they all nodded, ‘Yeah, I was diagnosed in Grade 7,’ or ‘My daughter has been diagnosed. I may have it too.’ When I suggested to Patrick McKenna, a.k.a. Harold, that we make a documentary and he would get officially diagnosed, he thought it was a great idea and said yes. (Impulsivity!)

When Patrick told his amazing wife Janis she was stunned. ‘What? You’re going to go on national television and talk about something we’ve spent decades trying to hide?’

When Janis realized the difference it could make for millions of viewers who were struggling with the same challenges they faced, she dove into the project. In fact, she may be the funniest personality in the documentary.

You can watch it for free on my YouTube channel, Rick Has ADHD. Also, you can subscribe to our popular Friday Funnies at RickHasADHD.com and even become a supporter through my Patreon page.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR RICK GREEN?

Lunch.

If you routinely struggle to keep track of things, you might want to take my Unofficial ADHD Quiz. I think you’ll love it!

You can catch a recent video interview we did with Rick at Canadiana Fest. Joined by the Junkyard Digs and from inside The Possum Van. Enjoy some behind the scenes storytelling from Rick about the show. 

Look for more Adventures With Bill compilations on YouTube and look for some upcoming episodes on The Red Green streaming channel with commentary by Rick Green coming soon.