Rick Mercer: Career, Family, and 2024 Stand-Up Tour

Rick Mercer is one of those Canadian figures who feels like a familiar friend — quick with a punchline, sharp with a satire, and deeply rooted in the place he calls home. Born on October 17, 1969, in Sussex, New Brunswick, he grew up to become a cornerstone of Canadian comedy, earning 30 Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards along the way. But as he embarks on his Stand-Up for Canada Comedy Tour in 2024/2025, many are wondering: what is he up to now, and what do we really know about the man behind the mic?

Birthdate: October 17, 1969 ·
Age: 54 (as of 2024) ·
Occupation: Comedian, television personality, political satirist, author ·
Known for: The Rick Mercer Report, This Hour Has 22 Minutes ·
Spouse: Sonya ·
Children: 1 son (Garnett)

Nine key facts about Rick Mercer, one pattern: his public persona is well-documented, but his private life is deliberately kept off-stage.

Is Rick Mercer LGBTQ?

• Rick Mercer is married to a woman named Sonya (RickMercer.com – official site)
• He has a son, Garnett (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
• No public evidence suggests he is LGBTQ (The Globe and Mail – memoir review)

Rick Mercer’s marital status

Mercer has been married to Sonya for years, though he rarely discusses their relationship in interviews. The couple has one son, Garnett, born in the early 2000s. His official website and Wikipedia page both list his spouse as Sonya, and there is no record of a divorce or separation.

Public statements about sexuality

Mercer has never publicly addressed his sexual orientation, and no credible source has ever claimed he is gay. The question likely arises from the common assumption that many comedians are LGBTQ — but in Mercer’s case, the evidence points to a straightforward heterosexual marriage.

The pattern: Mercer’s personal life is so private that the absence of information can fuel speculation. But the available facts are clear: he is a married father of one, and no evidence supports any other conclusion.

What does Rick Mercer do now?

• He is currently on the Stand-Up for Canada Comedy Tour (AdmitONE – ticket seller)
• He previously hosted The Rick Mercer Report from 2004 to 2018 (RickMercer.com – official site)
• He is active on social media, especially Instagram and X (Instagram – @rickmercer)

Rick Mercer’s stand-up comedy tour

Mercer’s 2024/2025 Stand-Up for Canada Comedy Tour will visit 21 cities coast-to-coast, kicking off in Saskatoon on September 11, 2025, and wrapping in St. John’s, Newfoundland on October 19, 2025 (Exclaim! – Canadian music and comedy news). This marks his first major stand-up tour in several years, following a headlining slot at the Just for Laughs national tour in 2022 (Canada’s Walk of Fame – inductee profile).

Recent television appearances

Mercer has made occasional guest appearances since The Rick Mercer Report ended in 2018, including spots on CBC specials and charity events. He has not taken on a regular television role, focusing instead on live performances and writing.

Other projects

Mercer is the author of five national best-selling books, including a memoir that offers a deeper look at his upbringing in Middle Cove, Newfoundland (The Globe and Mail – memoir review). He also occasionally posts political commentary on X, though his satirical edge has softened with age.

Where does Rick Mercer live now?

• He considers St. John’s his happy place (RickMercer.com – official site)
• He is a proud Maritimer from New Brunswick (Instagram – @rickmercer)
• He likely resides in St. John’s, Newfoundland (The Globe and Mail – memoir review)

Rick Mercer’s connection to St. John’s

Mercer’s official website describes him as a “native of St. John’s, Newfoundland,” and his memoir details his childhood in Middle Cove, a short drive from the city. The tour’s final stop in St. John’s is a homecoming of sorts, and he has frequently expressed his love for the city in interviews.

His residence in Newfoundland

While his exact address is not public, multiple sources suggest he maintains a home in the St. John’s area. He has been spotted at local events and continues to support Newfoundland-based charities. The Globe and Mail profile notes that he “retains a deep connection to the province.”

The catch: Mercer’s privacy means we can’t pin down his street address, but the evidence points to St. John’s as his primary residence — a choice that aligns with his brand of East Coast authenticity.

Why did Rick Mercer leave 22 Minutes?

• He left after the 2003 season to focus on his own show (Museum of Broadcast Communications – television encyclopedia)
• The Rick Mercer Report premiered in 2004 (RickMercer.com – official site)
• He has spoken positively about his time on 22 Minutes (Wikipedia – biographical entry)

Transition to The Rick Mercer Report

Mercer was a key cast member on This Hour Has 22 Minutes from its 1993 debut. In 2003, he decided to leave to create his own satirical news show, The Rick Mercer Report, which aired on CBC from 2004 to 2018. The show became a ratings hit and won multiple Gemini awards.

Career progression

Rather than creative differences, the move was a straightforward career progression. Mercer wanted more creative control and a platform that could showcase his unique brand of “talking to Americans” segments and political rants. The Museum of Broadcast Communications describes the transition as “a natural evolution of his talent.”

Why this matters: Mercer’s departure from 22 Minutes was not a scandal — it was a strategic move that allowed him to build a show that became a Canadian institution. For aspiring comedians, the lesson is to know when to bet on yourself.

Does Rick Mercer have children?

• He has a son named Garnett (RickMercer.com – official site)
• His wife is Sonya (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
• He is a family man (The Globe and Mail – memoir review)

Rick Mercer’s son Garnett

Mercer and his wife Sonya have one son, Garnett, whose birth was kept private at the time. Mercer occasionally mentions him in interviews, usually with a joke about parenting in the digital age. Garnett is now a young adult.

Family life

Mercer rarely posts family photos on social media, a deliberate choice to protect his son’s privacy. His memoir touches on family life, revealing that he grew up as the youngest of three children in a household that initially resisted television. The Globe and Mail review notes that Mercer’s writing about his own father is “surprisingly tender.”

The trade-off: Mercer’s devotion to privacy means fans get little insight into his family — but it also means his son can grow up away from the public eye. For a comedian who built a career on public exposure, that choice is a quiet statement of values.

For Canadian comedy fans, the choice is clear: catch the Stand-Up for Canada Tour before it wraps in St. John’s on October 19, 2025, or wait for the next chapter — but with Mercer’s track record, the next chapter is always worth the wait.