Rick Campanelli: Wife, Book, Age, Kids, Height & More

Rick Campanelli is a Canadian television host, radio personality, and entertainment reporter best known for his years at MuchMusic, where he earned the nickname "Rick the Temp," and later as a co-host of ET Canada. He currently works as a Live Eye Reporter on Breakfast Television and remains one of Canada's most recognizable media personalities.

Quick Facts About Rick Campanelli

● Full Name: Richard Adam Matthew Campanelli

● Age: 56

● Date of Birth: January 5, 1970

● Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

● Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)

● Wife: Angie Campanelli

● Children: Noah, Jack, and Harrison Campanelli

● Education: Brock University

● Known For: MuchMusic, ET Canada, Breakfast Television

● Book: Tempted (2026)

Rick Campanelli's Age

Rick Campanelli is 56 years old. He was born on January 5, 1970, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

● Birthplace: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

● Nationality: Canadian

Early Life and Education

Campanelli grew up in a working-class Italian-Canadian family and was the youngest of four siblings. He attended school in St. Catharines before enrolling at Brock University, where he earned a degree in Physical Education.

His life changed dramatically in 1994 when he entered and won MuchMusic's nationwide MuchTemp Contest, earning an on-air position that launched his broadcasting career.

Career

MuchMusic

Rick first became famous after winning the MuchTemp contest in 1994. Fans quickly embraced him as "Rick the Temp," and he went on to become one of MuchMusic's most popular VJs. He co-hosted shows, including:

● MuchOnDemand

● The MuchMusic Countdown

● The MuchMusic Radio Countdown

His popularity eventually earned him the nickname "The Franchise."

ET Canada

After leaving MuchMusic in 2005, Campanelli joined ET Canada as a reporter and co-host. He remained with the entertainment news program for approximately 12 years before departing in 2017.

Radio and Television

Over the years, Campanelli has worked with:

● 102.1 The Edge

● Z103.5

● CHFI 98.1

● Breakfast Television

He also competed on the first season of the TV reality series The Traitors Canada in 2023.

Wife

Rick Campanelli is married to Angie Campanelli.

The couple married in 2012 after several years together. Angie has worked as a television producer, including serving as a senior segment producer for The Marilyn Denis Show.

Before marrying Angie, Campanelli was married to actress and model Ashley Kirk. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2009.

Kids

Rick Campanelli is the father of three sons.

His children are:

● Noah Campanelli (from his first marriage to Ashley Kirk)

● Jack Campanelli

● Harrison Campanelli (sometimes spelled Harison in some sources)

The television personality frequently speaks about the importance of family and has shared aspects of family life in interviews over the years.

Height

Rick Campanelli stands approximately:

● 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 metres) tall.

Book

In 2026, Campanelli announced the release of his memoir:

Tempted

The memoir is scheduled for publication on September 1, 2026. According to announcements about the book, Campanelli will discuss personal struggles and challenges that he says were hidden from the public during much of his television career. He described the memoir as a cautionary story about losing control and overcoming difficult periods in his life.

The book is expected to provide readers with a more personal look at the man behind the public persona many Canadians have watched for decades.

Charity and Community Work

Rick Campanelli has long been involved in charitable and community initiatives alongside his broadcasting career. Over the years, he has supported a variety of organizations and causes, using his public profile to help raise awareness and encourage community involvement.

Among the organizations he has worked with are World Vision Canada, Kids Help Phone, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, and McMaster Children's Hospital. He has also been involved in initiatives supporting awareness and research related to Tuberous Sclerosis.

Through his participation in fundraising campaigns, community events, and public awareness efforts, Campanelli has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to giving back. His philanthropic work has remained an important aspect of his public life, complementing his achievements in television and entertainment.

Awards and Recognition

Rick Campanelli has earned widespread recognition throughout his career and is widely regarded as one of Canada's most beloved television personalities. His breakthrough came in 1994 when he won the MuchMusic MuchTemp Contest, a victory that launched his career in broadcasting and transformed him into a familiar face for Canadian television audiences.

Following his success at MuchMusic, Campanelli built a long and respected career in entertainment journalism, including spending more than a decade as a host and reporter on ET Canada. His work covering celebrities, entertainment news, and major cultural events helped establish him as one of the country's leading entertainment broadcasters.

Beyond television, Campanelli has hosted numerous live events, concerts, award shows, and charity fundraisers across Canada. His approachable personality, professionalism, and longevity in the industry have contributed to his status as one of the most recognizable and respected figures in Canadian entertainment media.

Conclusion

Rick Campanelli has enjoyed one of the longest and most successful careers in Canadian broadcasting. From winning the MuchTemp contest in 1994 to becoming a household name on MuchMusic, ET Canada, and Breakfast Television, he has remained a familiar face to Canadian audiences for more than three decades.

With the release of his memoir Tempted, fans are set to learn even more about the personal journey behind one of Canada's most enduring media personalities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What happened to Rick Campanelli?

Rick Campanelli remains active in Canadian broadcasting. After becoming famous as a MuchMusic VJ and later co-hosting ET Canada for 12 years, he worked in radio and television. In 2025, he joined Breakfast Television as a Live Eye Reporter. In 2026, he also announced the release of his memoir, Tempted, which discusses personal struggles he faced behind the scenes of his public career.

2. What is Rick Campanelli known for?

Rick Campanelli is best known for his work as a VJ on MuchMusic, where he earned the nickname "Rick the Temp" after winning the network's MuchTemp contest in 1994. He later became a co-host of ET Canada and has also worked as a radio and television personality across Canada.

3. When did Rick Campanelli leave MuchMusic?

Rick Campanelli left MuchMusic in 2005. His final appearance on MuchOnDemand aired on August 26, 2005, after which he joined ET Canada as one of the show's original reporters and hosts.

4. Where does Rick Campanelli work?

As of 2026, Rick Campanelli works as a Live Eye Reporter on Breakfast Television on Citytv. He also hosts a Sunday morning radio show on CHFI in Toronto.