His family comes first
Gerry Dee reflects on the things that mean most to him and is excited about his show tonight
In his life Gerry Dee many roles.
He is an experienced teacher. He is the star of “Mr. D” an award-winning television series about the misadventures of an under-qualified schoolteacher. (And, like many other Canadians, I’ve enjoyed watching the character struggle to stay ahead of his students, as he fakes his way through each class.)
Dee is also a respected standup comic, sharing his observations about teaching and family life with audiences across the country.
So I was surprised to learn the role that means most to him has nothing to do with seeing his name in lights.
It’s being a father to his three children ages four, seven and nine.
“I’m lucky to have the jobs I have and I’m lucky that I’ve been successful, but at the end of the day, I’m just Dad. And that’s the most important job that I have and the one that I’m most excited about,” says the Canadian funny man who will share his insights about life tonight during his show, “Gerry Dee Live”, at the Homburg Theatre plays of the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown.
The first insight — anxiety — settles in soon after becoming a parent.
“I worry about something happening to my kids, like if they’re on the bus, sometimes I wonder, ‘oh God, did they get there OK?’
“It consumes me sometimes. And I have stop myself from worrying about things that I can’t control.”
Also, raising children can be stressful.
“There are times when you want to wring their necks, but I just try to be patient. It is special and when it goes by I know
I’ll really miss it. So I try not to let it go by without enjoying it.”
One way he enjoys spending time with his children is having the two eldest on the set of “Mr. D” with him.
“The nine-year-old, who acts on the show, is very confident, and the seven year-old doesn’t like it until it’s over. They’re both very funny.”
Dee also realizes that there’s only a small window of time to spend with his children before they fly out of the nest.
“The best part of coming back from a road trip is when I open the door and the three of them come running from wherever they are to give me a hug.”
But, that’s only fun for five minutes.
“Then it’s like, ‘I wish I were back on the road again,’ ” laughs Dee, during a telephone interview.
His advice to new fathers? Relax and enjoy your children.
“We’re in such a hurry for them to grow up because we can’t wait until they eat food properly or sleep properly or have their license so we won’t have to drive them anymore.
“At that point they’re usually ready to have boyfriends and girlfriends and I’m not looking forward to that stage.”