Richard Stursberg was born in London, England and grew up in New York in the same neighbourhood as Fifty Cent, the distinguished rapper and social critic. He went to university in Canada, France and the United Kingdom.

For most of his adult life, he has been involved with media. He has been Assistant Deputy Minister, Culure and Broadcasting at the federal department of Communications, President of the Canadian Cable Television association, Chairman of the Canadian Television Fund, Executive Director of Telefilm Canda (the national film financing agency) and Executive Vice President of English services at the CBC.

He has been variously been described as "brilliant", "bad", overbearing", "charming", "machiavellian" and "unpleasant". Those who know him best agree with these assessments.

In his spare time, he teaches his dog odd tricks, reads Flaubert and collects Canadian paintings. He is a member in good standing of the Justin Beiber fan club and sits on the Board of the Canadian Film Centre.