CanadianActorDwarfismOsteogenesis Imperfecta

Rick Howland

Richard "Rick" Howland is a Canadian actor, comedian, songwriter, and director known for roles as Trick in Lost Girl and Harry Buttman in Bon Cop, Bad Cop.

1. Early Life and Background

Rick Howland's formative years laid the groundwork for his eventual career in entertainment, marked by his birthplace and an education that fostered his comedic talents, alongside personal attributes that have uniquely shaped his professional path.

1.1. Birth and Youth

Rick Howland was born in Kingston, Canada. Details of his early childhood environment beyond his birthplace are not widely detailed, but his upbringing led him to pursue higher education in the arts.

1.2. Education and Personal Attributes

Howland attended York University, where his comedic talents began to flourish. During his time there, he co-founded "The Four Strombones," a comedy troupe that gained recognition performing in various comedy clubs across Toronto for over a decade. A distinctive aspect of Howland's life and career is his stature of 4.6 ft (1.4 m), which is a result of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. This genetic condition, characterized by brittle bones, has sometimes played a role in the characters he has portrayed, integrating his personal attributes into his acting work.

2. Career

Howland's professional journey as an actor spans various platforms, from early comedic ventures to prominent roles in film and television, complemented by diverse creative pursuits in writing and music.

Rick Howland at Fan Expo
Rick Howland at Fan Expo

2.1. Early Ventures and Comedy

Howland's first credited acting role was in the feature film To Catch A Yeti (1995), where he appeared opposite the renowned musician and actor Meat Loaf. This early film appearance marked the beginning of his professional acting career. Concurrently with his acting, Howland continued to develop his comedic skills with "The Four Strombones," which established a significant presence in Toronto's comedy scene.

2.2. Prominent Acting Roles

Among his most notable performances, Rick Howland is widely recognized for his portrayal of Trick in the Canadian fantasy television series Lost Girl. He played a main role in the series, which aired for five seasons from 2010 to 2015, making him a central figure in the show's narrative. Another significant role was that of Harry Buttman in the 2006 Canadian comedy film Bon Cop, Bad Cop. This character was a clear parody of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Howland also appeared as Jayne Eastwood's son in Endless Grind, further diversifying his acting portfolio. Some of his roles have distinctly leveraged his unique stature due to Osteogenesis Imperfecta, allowing him to embody characters with particular physical characteristics.

2.3. Diverse Creative Pursuits

Beyond acting, Rick Howland has engaged in a variety of creative endeavors. He co-wrote a sitcom titled Rick's Life with Adam Nashman. This industry-based show aimed to present humorous situations through Howland's distinct perspective on the entertainment world. Additionally, he ventured into filmmaking by writing and directing his first short film, Underwritten, for the 48 Hour Film Festival. Howland is also an accomplished songwriter, having self-recorded two albums that are available on digital platforms such as iTunes.

3. Filmography

The following is a comprehensive list of Rick Howland's appearances in film and television:

  • To Catch a Yeti (1995) - as Blubber
  • The Cellar (1997) (short film) - as Zoltan
  • The Adventures of Shirley Holmes (1998): Episode "The Case of the Bouncing Baby" - as Bernie Szabo
  • John Woo's Once a Thief (1998): Episode "Shaken Not Stirred" - as Actor
  • Traders (1999): Episode "The Last Good Deal" - as Rob 'Tiny' Lewis
  • The Jesse Ventura Story (1999) - as Wrestler
  • Sufferance (2000) (short film) - as The Butler
  • Club Land (2001) - as Gump
  • The Newsroom (2002): "Escape from the Newsroom" (TV Movie) - as Autograph Hound No. 2
  • Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (2004): Episode "Concrete Evidence" - as Sal Roland
  • Short Tongue Freddy (2005) (short film) - as Freddy
  • Crazy for Christmas (2005) - as Kenny
  • Santa Baby (2006) (short film) - as Mr. Elf
  • Bon Cop, Bad Cop (2006) - as Harry Buttman
  • Citizen Duane (2006) - as Irate Pedestrian
  • The Roommate (2007) - as Paul
  • Tin Man (2007) (mini-series) - as Red Katt
  • Billable Hours (2007): Episodes "The Sting" & "15 Minutes of Shame" - as Computer Tech
  • Murdoch Mysteries (2008): Episode "Child's Play" - as Miles Gorman
  • Billable Hours (2008): Episodes "Lil' War Photo" & "Shortstop" - as Keach
  • Midgets Vs. Mascots (2009) - as Big Red Bush
  • An Insignificant Man (2011) (short film) - as Hungover Clown
  • Sanctuary (2011): Episode "Resistance" - as Galvo
  • Lost Girl (2010-15) - as Trick; Main role
  • Lost Girl Finale Pre-Show (2012) (Showcase TV special) - as self
  • Top Chef Canada (2012): Episode "Lights, Camera, Action!" - as self
  • Lost Girl ConFAEdential (2013) (Showcase TV special) - as self
  • Prophecy (2013) (Lost Girl webisode) - as Trick
  • Lost Girl: An Evening at the Clubhouse (2013) (Showcase TV special) - as self
  • Killjoys (2016): Episode "How to Kill Friends and Influence People" - as Dej Serafan Archive Keeper