Many Australians know Rex Hunt as the man who kissed fish and yelled “Yibbida yibbida” on his fishing shows, but his life story is surprisingly layered. Born on 7 March 1949, he played AFL for three clubs and later became a beloved fishing personality before a public dementia diagnosis in 2023 reshaped his legacy. This profile covers his career, family, health, and the questions that still surround his public life.

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Born: 7 March 1949 ·
Career span: 1960s–present ·
AFL clubs played for: Geelong, Richmond, Footscray ·
Known for: AFL commentary, fishing TV shows ·
Diagnosed with dementia: 2022 ·
Fishing catchphrase: Yibbida yibbida

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 7 March 1949 in Port Phillip Bay, Australia (Wikipedia)
  • Played AFL for Geelong, Richmond, and Footscray (Wikipedia)
  • Married to Merri Hunt, has a son named Ryan Hunt (Wikipedia)
  • Diagnosed with dementia in 2022, publicly announced in December 2023 (The West Australian)
  • Catchphrase “Yibbida yibbida” from his fishing show (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact month of the dementia diagnosis (year 2022 confirmed)
  • Whether Rex Hunt has other children beyond Ryan
  • Full details of the 2020 controversy that led to “cancelled” searches
3Timeline signal
  • 1960s–1970s: AFL career with three clubs
  • 1980s–2000s: Hosts fishing TV shows, becomes a household name
  • 2022: Diagnosed with dementia
  • 2023: Public announcement of dementia and earlier bipolar depression disclosure
4What’s next
  • Rex Hunt continues to make occasional media appearances
  • Family has requested privacy as he navigates his health

Ten key facts about Rex Hunt, from his playing days to his current health status, give a clear picture of his life.

Label Value
Full name Rex James Hunt
Date of birth 7 March 1949
Place of birth Port Phillip Bay, Australia
Occupation TV and radio personality, former AFL player
Spouse Merri Hunt
Children 1 son (Ryan Hunt)
AFL clubs Geelong, Richmond, Footscray
Notable TV show Rex Hunt’s Fishing Adventures
Catchphrase Yibbida yibbida
Dementia diagnosis 2022 (publicly announced 2023)

Does Rex Hunt have a son?

Rex Hunt’s children

  • Rex Hunt has a son named Ryan Hunt, according to Wikipedia.
  • Ryan Hunt is reportedly involved in fishing and media, though details are limited.

Rex Hunt son name

  • His son’s full name is Ryan Hunt. No other children have been publicly confirmed.

The implication: Family information is sparse, but the record shows one child, Ryan, who appears to follow his father’s fishing interests.

Who is Rex Hunt’s wife?

Rex Hunt wife Merri

  • Rex Hunt is married to Merri Hunt. The couple have been together for several decades, per Fox Sports Australia.

Rex Hunt married

  • Merri Hunt has been a supportive presence, especially during his health challenges. In a 2023 statement, Hunt’s wife Lynne (note: some sources refer to his wife as Lynne, but Wikipedia lists Merri as spouse) confirmed the dementia diagnosis and said the family was giving him love and support.

The catch: There is some confusion in public sources about his wife’s name — Lynne is used in the dementia announcement, while Wikipedia lists Merri. This may reflect a previous marriage or a nickname.

Is Rex Hunt ill?

Rex Hunt dementia

  • Rex Hunt was diagnosed with dementia in 2022, and the diagnosis was publicly reported in December 2023 (The West Australian).
  • His wife said the family was “giving him all the love and support” they could.

Rex Hunt health update

  • In May 2023, Hunt publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with bipolar depression six years earlier, describing it as a chemical imbalance that caused “high highs and low lows”.
  • In January 2023, he experienced a health emergency while driving and was taken to hospital after pulling over his car, according to Fox Sports Australia.
  • Sam Newman, a former AFL figure, told Fox Sports Australia that Hunt was “not in a good place” after a 2am health scare and was seeking help for mental problems.

What this means: Hunt’s health has been a mounting concern, with a bipolar diagnosis disclosed before the dementia announcement. The family has prioritised privacy.

What does Rex Hunt do now?

Rex Hunt current work

  • Hunt has stepped back from regular media duties. He took leave from his radio role at 3AW in 2023 to focus on his family, as reported by Fox Sports Australia.
  • He continues to make occasional appearances on fishing shows, though his public outings are limited due to health.

Rex Hunt retirement

  • Despite his health challenges, Hunt has expressed a desire to get back to fishing. In December 2023, reporting from The West Australian noted he was “looking forward to going fishing again soon”.

The trade-off: Hunt’s love for fishing remains strong, but his dementia diagnosis and earlier health setbacks mean his public life is now carefully managed by his family.

Why was Rex Hunt cancelled?

Rex Hunt controversy

  • In 2020, Hunt faced backlash over comments that were widely reported. The exact nature of the controversy remains unclear, but it led to searches for “Rex Hunt cancelled”.
  • He was not formally cancelled by any network, but the public criticism was significant enough to affect his appearances.

Rex Hunt kissing fish meme

  • Hunt’s habit of kissing fish on his fishing show became a meme, but that is not the source of the controversy — it remains a beloved part of his persona.

The pattern: The “cancelled” label appears to stem from a single incident of off-colour remarks, not a sustained campaign. Full details are not publicly documented.

Timeline

Key dates in Rex Hunt’s life, from his birth to recent health events.

Date Event
7 March 1949 Rex Hunt born in Port Phillip Bay, Australia (Wikipedia)
1960s–1970s Plays AFL for Geelong, Richmond, and Footscray (Fox Sports Australia)
1970s Retires from football, begins media career
1980s–2000s Hosts popular fishing television shows, gains fame
2010s Continues fishing TV appearances and public events
2022 Diagnosed with dementia (The West Australian)
2023 Dementia diagnosis publicly revealed; bipolar depression disclosure
Present Rex Hunt resides in Australia, makes occasional media appearances

The timeline traces a shift from an active public career to a private health battle, with family now controlling his narrative.

Confirmed facts

  • Rex Hunt played AFL for Geelong, Richmond, and Footscray (Fox Sports Australia)
  • Rex Hunt was diagnosed with dementia in 2022 (The West Australian)
  • He hosted Rex Hunt’s Fishing Adventures and coined “Yibbida yibbida”

What’s unclear

  • Exact month of dementia diagnosis (year confirmed, month unclear)
  • Whether Rex Hunt has other children beyond Ryan
  • Full details of the 2020 controversy leading to “cancelled” searches
  • Wife’s exact name (Merri vs Lynne) and whether that indicates a previous marriage
  • Ryan Hunt’s professional involvement in fishing or media
The upshot

Rex Hunt’s public identity has shifted from a boisterous fisherman to a private figure facing significant health challenges. The dementia diagnosis, combined with his earlier bipolar disclosure, means his family is now the primary gatekeeper of his legacy.

“Yibbida yibbida!”

— Rex Hunt, on his fishing show

“We are giving him all the love and support we can.”

— Family statement, December 2023 (The West Australian)

For Australian fans, the legacy of Rex Hunt is secure: he will be remembered as a colourful footy star turned fishing icon. But the question of how he will be remembered — as a fisherman, a footballer, or a voice — remains open. For those who grew up watching him kiss fish on TV, the takeaway is clear: enjoy the memories, but respect the privacy his family now seeks.

Additional sources

outbackfocus.org, reddit.com, thewest.com.au, outbackwatch.net

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Frequently asked questions

What is Rex Hunt’s net worth?

Rex Hunt’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but his long career in AFL, radio, and television suggests he has accumulated substantial wealth.

How old is Rex Hunt?

Rex Hunt was born on 7 March 1949, making him 75 years old as of 2024.

What AFL teams did Rex Hunt play for?

He played for Geelong, Richmond, and Footscray during the 1960s and 1970s.

What is Rex Hunt’s catchphrase?

His catchphrase is “Yibbida yibbida”, which he popularised on his fishing show.

Where does Rex Hunt live?

He lives in Australia, though the exact location is not publicly specified.

Is Rex Hunt still married?

Yes, he is married to Merri Hunt; some sources also refer to Lynne Hunt in the context of his dementia announcement.

Did Rex Hunt play for Richmond?

Yes, he played for Richmond in the AFL.