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Red Green

Red Green is a fictional Canadian comedy character created and portrayed by Steve Smith.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Red Green is a fictional Canadian comedy character created and portrayed by Steve Smith. He is the title character of The Red Green Show, a long-running sketch-comedy series set around the fictional Possum Lodge in Ontario. The character is known for dry humour, improvised repairs, and a strong association with duct tape.

Character overview

Red Green is a fictional handyman and lodge leader known for dry humour, improvised repairs, and a satirical take on do-it-yourself culture. He became the public face of The Red Green Show and is strongly identified with plaid clothing and duct tape.

Origins and performer

The character was created by Steve Smith, a Canadian comedian and writer. Smith developed Red Green from earlier comedy work in the early 1980s and continued to portray him throughout the show's run from 1991 to 2006.

The Red Green Show

The Red Green Show was a Canadian comedy series that aired from 1991 to 2006 and centred on life around Possum Lodge in fictional Possum Lake, Ontario. It mixed sketch comedy, parody, and recurring segments such as handyman demonstrations. The series also aired on PBS in the United States.

Cultural impact

The character gained a substantial following in Canada and the United States, including through PBS broadcasts and later reruns. Red Green became one of Canadian television's best-known comedy personas, and is a distinctly Canadian television comedy character.

Key facts

  • Red Green is the central character of The Red Green Show, portrayed by Canadian comedian Steve Smith.
  • The character leads the fictional Possum Lodge and is presented as a practical but unconventional handyman.
  • The Red Green Show aired from 1991 to 2006 and became a long-running Canadian comedy series.
  • The character is closely associated with duct tape and improvised do-it-yourself solutions.
  • The series also aired on PBS in the United States.
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Canadian context

Red Green is a distinctly Canadian television comedy character and one of the best-known figures from The Red Green Show, which originated in Canada and also reached U.S. audiences through PBS.[2][6][11]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Red Green?
Red Green is a fictional comedy character created and portrayed by Steve Smith, best known as the star of The Red Green Show.
Is Red Green a real person?
No. Red Green is a fictional character played by Steve Smith.
What is Red Green known for?
He is known for his handyman persona, dry humour, and frequent use of duct tape in improvised repairs.
What show is Red Green from?
Red Green is the title character of The Red Green Show, a Canadian comedy series that aired from 1991 to 2006.
Where is the show set?
The show is set around the fictional Possum Lodge in Possum Lake, Ontario.
Who played Red Green?
Red Green was played by Canadian comedian Steve Smith.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Smith_(comedian)
    Supports: Steve Smith as the Canadian comedian who created and portrayed Red Green; basic biographical context.
  2. PBShttps://www.pbs.org/redgreen/about.html
    Supports: Series description, Steve Smith as Red Green, family-audience framing, and Possum Lodge setting.
  3. PBShttps://www.pbs.org/redgreen/stevebio.html
    Supports: Steve Smith biography and creation of the Red Green alter ego; writing/producing role.
  4. The Denver Posthttps://www.denverpost.com/2010/10/15/hes-red-green-and-diy-all-over/
    Supports: Origin story of the character and the inspiration behind the name Red Green.
  5. RedGreen.comhttps://redgreen.com/blogs/cast-and-crew/meet-your-member-the-red-green-show-steve-smith-as-red-green
    Supports: Character traits, recurring segments, clothing, and Steve Smith’s role.
  6. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Green_Show
    Supports: Show dates, Canadian origin, and the Possum Lake/Possum Lodge premise.
  7. Penguin Random Househttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/125726/red-green/
    Supports: Character description, series dates, and association with Steve Smith.