Colin Mochrie plays Ottawa Public Health intern’s dad to raise awareness for charity event

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has secured another Canadian comedy icon to relay its COVID-19 safety recommendations through social media.

Bruce the OPH intern, who we now know is Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds, has a dad, who is speaking out on social media, asking everyone to “be patient” after seeing some “unfair things” written about his son.

The dad in question is played by comic legend Colin Mochrie, from the hit television show Whose Line is it Anyway.

Mochrie posted a video on Twitter to help OPH promote COVID-19 safety, as well as a virtual charity comedy event he is hosting on Friday, called Crackup Comedy Festival.

Here's Bruce's dad! He's coming to you with a special message from @OttawaHealth to defend his son and remind you to stay home and get your FREE tickets for the virtual @CrackUpFestival April 9-10. https://t.co/3AHk1URDTx @jimwatsonottawa @careforHCS @colinmochrie #Crackup2021 pic.twitter.com/tbeCwN0Ntq

— Crackup Comedy Festival (@CrackUpFestival) April 5, 2021

The event is in support of Carefor Ottawa, a home health care and community support services organization. It's is looking to raise money for respite programs for people living with dementia.

Friday night's show is in the style of the game show Family Feud and will pit Carefor staff against professional comics, while another show runs Saturday on Zoom, in the style of a Jerry Lewis Telethon.

Mochrie says the comedy festival will allow people to “laugh after a tough year.”

All virtual guest spots to both evenings of the show have already been reserved, however, donations can still be made through the Carefor website.

“I feel incredibly fortunate in my life. I mean, my career is making up stuff. It didn't exist when I was growing up. My wife Deb and I always talk about pushing it forward… so we'd like to help whoever we can.”