The Canadian sitcom “Trailer Park Boys,” which debuted in 2001, has amassed enormous popularity because of its mockumentary genre style, obscene and violent humour, and unforgettable ensemble of characters. According to the show’s IMDb page, it had 12 seasons until it finished in 2018, along with a movie trilogy and an animated spinoff series. Later this year, the brand will add a comic book adaptation to its roster (via Trailer Park Comics).
Robb Wells, a Canadian actor who plays Ricky LaFleur, portrays one of the most adored characters. The other two members of the lead trio of the “Trailer Park Boys,” Julian (John Paul Tremblay) and Bubbles, are frequently the most troubled by his actions because he is easily enraged and frequently uses misspellings like “Indianapolis Jones” and “denial and error” (Mike Smith). Even Ricky’s worst impulses, however, are occasionally controlled by a good heart in order to support his family.
Given that Ricky is Robb Wells’ most well-known character, it would be simple to assume that Wells’ filmography consisted solely of portraying the brash “Trailer Park Boys” character. However, the Canadian actor is more than just his tracksuit bottoms, pepperoni sticks, and big drug stash.
He had an affluent upbringing
Wells, who was born on March 20, 1971, in Moncton, New Brunswick, lived a happy childhood. His father was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s forensics unit (via My New Brunswick). According to The Globe and Mail, Wells’ family relocated to Cole Harbour, a suburb of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, when he was eight years old. Wells played soccer in high school and even reached the provincial team for Nova Scotia. He first met Mike Clattenburg and John Paul Tremblay while he was a senior in high school. The group frequently played practical pranks and caused mischief. In a sense, they were the characters from “Trailer Park Boys” as they later manifested themselves.
It’s also important to point out that Cole Harbour has had other well-known residents than Wells and Tremblay. NHL players Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, musician Matt Mays, and UFC fighter TJ Grant are some other well-known individuals of Nova Scotian roots.
Robb Wells has a famous Canadian relative
In addition to other significant roles in movies and television, Robb Wells also has an intriguing, albeit remote, blood relationship with another well-known Canadian. He is a distant relative of Stephen Harper, according to a January 2006 story in the Canadian publication The Globe and Mail. From 2006 to 2015, Harper was Canada’s prime minister (via Britannica). Granted, it isn’t a close relationship; according to the outlet, the two public people are four or five generations apart.
Thanks to part-time genealogist Carol Dobson, who made the discovery that both men are descendants of the same great-great-great-great-great grandpa, George Dobson, it took quite a bit of investigation to determine the family status of Wells and Harper. According to The Globe and Mail, Wells is related to Mary Dobson’s eldest sister, Margaret, while Harper is particularly descended from Mary Dobson. Just days before Harper’s Conservative Party won the federal election, the blood kin was swiftly discovered.
And in an odd coincidence, a totally unrelated Rob Wells was fined in 2015 for putting a derogatory anti-Harper placard on his car.
Robb Wells is part of an honored baseball tradition
“Trailer Park Boys” is unquestionably one of Canada’s most enduring pop cultural institutions given its appeal both domestically and abroad. Robb Wells, John Paul Tremblay, and Mike Smith thus had the opportunity to take part in a revered tradition: tossing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game.
At the Toronto Blue Jays home opener game at Rogers Centre on April 8, 2005, the trio of actors made an appearance while fully in character and were introduced by the announcer as their alter egos. After the announcements, they threw out the game’s opening pitch (via Barstool Sports). The three feigned to fight over who would throw the ball as the soft piano theme song from the programme played over the stadium speakers. Smith took the pitch after settling in, and it bounced near home plate before being caught by Blue Jays pitcher Justin Speier.
Robb Wells used to work in the pizza business
Robb Wells and John Paul Tremblay, a friend and future “Trailer Park Boys” co-star, had a pizza delivery service before Robb started acting. The two ran J.R. Capone’s, a popular chain of pizza restaurants, in the 1990s (via Sharp magazine). This project turned out to be the cornerstone of the future hit show.
Wells and Tremblay regularly produced crude video skits for their own amusement as a way to pass the time. They produced a short film called “One Last Shot” in 1998, with John Dunsworth as a co-star (who played Jim Lahey on “Trailer Park Boys”). “Trailer Park Boys,” a 1999 feature film, came after the short. As a result of the film’s success at the Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, producer Barrie Dunn became interested in it. Dunn joined together with Wells, Tremblay, and others to develop a concept for The Comedy Network after realising the immense potential for a television show. They were first rejected, but Showcase eventually approved them, and the successful series was launched.
