Rick's professional journey commenced with his stint as a radio DJ during his high school years, ultimately resulting in him crafting, producing, and hosting his own on-air show. This early experience laid the foundation for his subsequent career milestones.
He made a significant contribution to the Canadian television series, SCTV, in 1976, earning an Emmy Award for his exceptional writing and portrayal of the memorable character, Bob McKenzie. This iconic character would later serve as the inspiration for the film, Strange Brew, which Rick co-wrote, co-directed, and made his big-screen acting debut in 1983.
Interestingly, the character Rick played in the 1984 blockbuster, Ghostbusters, was directly influenced by a similar character he had portrayed on SCTV in 1976.