I must first of all thank my parents—my mother for teaching me to look for the good in people and my father for preventing me from being tall. I should also thank my Uncle Bob, who was an early example of what the term “house arrest” means. I also thank my brother, who was my best friend until he got married and had Harold.
I should mention two Canadian icons who’ve been influential in my life: Pierre Berton and Stephen Leacock. Stephen Leacock for his ability to grow facial hair and Pierre Berton for his wit.
I’ve had many facets to my life and show business career, and my wife, Bernice, has always been the first person to support me, financially and psychologically, and even after all these years of marriage is still willing to accept my apologies.
I picked up my singing style by copying three of the great black singers of America: Louis Armstrong, Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley. I owe most of my acting technique to Hammy Hamster, who taught me two important lessons: if you’re good, people can hear what you’re thinking, and spend as much of your life as possible on all fours.
For my ability to take on handyman projects, I would like to thank OHIP, and socialized medicine in general. It’s the only thing that kept our show on budget.
I want to mention my nephew Harold, without whom I may have been tempted to leave Possum Lodge and go out into the real world, where I would have met with frustration and disappointment. He made all of that possible without the travelling.
And lastly, I have to acknowledge all the great Red Green fans and Possum Lodge members who have allowed me the privilege of being what some would call a relentless idiot, but which I prefer to describe as a misguided genius.
Quando Omni Flunkus Mortati.
Red Green