Rick spent twenty years as the lead singer for rock band Tröckener Kecks. He later wrote several novels and poetry collections, and became known for TV programmes such as De Laatste Show. He also presented a music programme called Het hol van De Leeuw (the lion's den) on Radio 1. He acted with KVS and Union Suspecte, translated poetry from the Middle Ages and wrote a play about Father Phil Bosmans for actor Gène Bervoets. He also joined Jan Hautekiet on several successful theatre tours of Flanders and the Netherlands.
He has spent ten years working with Te Gek!?, an organisation that is trying to break the taboo surrounding mental health care. Since 2015, De Leeuw has also been chairman of Het Ventiel, a blossoming buddy network for people with early dementia.
