Squid Game: The Challenge is a series on Netflix that is inspired by the TV series Squid Game, where real-life contestants compete in high-stakes children’s games in pursuit of a $4.56 million cash prize. Rick Mercurio, AKA Player 232, is one of the 456 contestants taking part in the show. So, in the writing, we shall explore all that his new-made fans have been wanting to know about him.
Meet Rick Mercurio, Player #232 On Squid Game: The Challenge
Rick Mercurio, among other things, is the oldest contestant on Squid Game: The Challenge. Any legal and consenting adult was allowed to compete in this reality competition show, which is why Rick too decided to do it. He admitted that he wanted to use his age as an advantage to appear less threatening.
Once on the show, he made solid alliances right away and became especially close with Stephen Lomas aka Player 243. Viewers also saw him form a small group that they dub the “gganbu” which is translated as ‘close friend’ in Korean. The group pledged to not make any enemies and promised to support each other throughout the competition.
Rick’s presence as a well-regarded physician indeed added a unique dynamic to the competition. So, his sudden elimination was naturally regretted by the contestants and viewers.
Interestingly, Rick also made many doubt whether he was a real or a fake contestant. Because several elements of Rick’s on-screen journey were found to be similar to the arc of Oh Il-nam, AKA Player 001, from the original Squid Game, viewers wondered if Rick is actually a genuine contestant.
Rick Mercurio Age
Rick Mercurio was born in 1954. So, he turned 69 years old in 2023.
Rick Mercurio Job
Rick Mercurio is a physician. His PA State Medical License which he got in 1984 is expiring in 2024. Before this, he had his VA State Medical License from 1982 through 2000. Rick also is a lifetime member of the American Board of Family Medicine.
In his career, Rick mostly remained in affiliated with ACMH Hospital of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and UPMC St. Margaret Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He had his Residency in Family Medicine at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (1981 – 1984) and even prior he studied at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in the Class of 1981.
Speaking of now, Rick, at the time of recording for the Squid Game show, also claimed to be a beekeeper. It is also very well understood that since May 1999, Rick, along with his wife, have successfully run their eatery place called Mulberry Street Creamery in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Prior to opening it, the couple is known to have spent a year studying with masters of gelato and ice cream in the United States, Italy, and Canada.
Who Is Rick Mercurio’s Wife?
Rick Mercurio’s Linda R Mercurio (on IG @gelatomom7) turned 66 years old in December 2022. On her LinkedIn, she describes herself as the owner of Mulberry Street Creamery/Mercurio’s, Artisan Gelato & Neapolitan Pizza. Mercurio’s has two restaurants in Shadyside and Fox Chapel.
Before taking on this profession, Linda studied Medical Administration at Robert Morris University.
It appears Rick and his wife are doing great together. In a confessional on the Netflix show, Rick mentioned his wife saying while preparing for the series, he played all the games over and over with his wife. He detailed that he practiced marbles with his wife and played “Red Light Green Light” with his grandchildren,
Rick Mercurio Kids
It looks like Rick and his wife have at least five kids. Three of them, i.e., Anna Linda Crucitt, Michael N Mercurio, and Joe Mercurio are actually also the co-owners of their family-owned Mercurio’s restaurants in Shadyside and Fox Chapel.
Anna, a Sarver, Pennsylvania dweller, turned 37 years old in November 2023. She can be found on IG @anna_crucitt, where she describes herself as a “Pizzaiola & Gelato Artisan” and “Women in Pizza Ambassador”. You should also know that she went to Kittanning High School and the University of Pittsburgh, and eventually married Steve Crucitt.
Michael of Verona, on the other hand, turned a year older than Anna in 2023. According to his IG @, he is a “Master Pizzaiolo and Trainer”, “2018 Caputo Cup Champion”, and the “Gluten Free Specialist”.
Joseph, younger than both, turned 34 in December 2022.
Other kids are Lisa M Mercurio who turned 45 in March 2023 and Anthony Mercurio of Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
Rick Mercurio’s Family
Rick’s parents are no more. His mother Victoria D. “Vicki” Mercurio of Buffalo Township, passed at the age of 82 on 27 November 2002, following a lengthy illness. She was a 1938 graduate of Har-Brack High School and an inspector at Action Industries, Cheswick. Also, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Mercurio in 1981.
As for siblings, Rick now has three brothers Joseph (Victoria) Mercurio of Norton, Ohio, James (Pamela) Mercurio of Harrison, and Robert Mercurio of Freeport, and a sister, Kathleen Diana of New Bethlehem.
One of Rick’s brothers, James W. Mercurio, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61 in April 2012.
Related FAQs
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Is Rick Mercurio On Instagram?
Indeed, Rick Mercurio was on Instagram as of November 2023. The IG account @dr.rick.mercurio included 19 posts and 672 followers. One could also follow him on ‘Linda Mercurio’ Facebook.
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When Is Rick Mercurio’s Birthday?
Rick Mercurio’s birthday is in January and he celebrated this day this year (2023) in the first episode of Squid Game: The Challenge. He was joined by dozens of cheerful players who gleefully surrounded him for the celebration.
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Where Is Rick Mercurio From?
Rick Mercurio originally hails from Armstrong, which is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It seems Rick has lived around Pennsylvania most of the time.
