Dave Thomas CM | |
|---|---|
 Thomas at the34th Annie Awards, 2007 | |
| Born | David William Thomas (1949-05-20)May 20, 1949 (age 76) St. Catharines,Ontario, Canada |
| Education | McMaster University (B.A., English literature) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
| Father | John E. Thomas |
| Relatives | Ian Thomas (brother) |
David William ThomasCM (born May 20, 1949) is a Canadian actor, comedian and television writer, known for being one half of the duoBob and Doug McKenzie withRick Moranis. He appeared as Doug McKenzie onSCTV, for which he won aPrimetime Emmy Award out of two nominations, and in the filmStrange Brew (1983), which he also co-directed. As a duo, they made two albums,The Great White North andStrange Brew, the former gaining them aGrammy Award nomination and aJuno Award.
His other notable acting credits includeMy Man Adam (1985),The Experts (1989),Coneheads (1993),Rat Race (2001),Beethoven's 5th (2003) andSanta's Slay (2005). He is also known for playing Russell Norton in the TV seriesGrace Under Fire (1993–1998) and provided the voice of Tuke inBrother Bear (2003), andBrother Bear 2 (2006).
David William Thomas was born May 20, 1949, inSt. Catharines,Ontario. He is the eldest son of British parents, Moreen Duff Muir (May 4, 1928 – May 18, 2022), a church organist for thirty years originally fromGlasgow, Scotland and composer of church music, andJohn E. Thomas (1926–1996), a medical ethicist fromMerthyr Tydfil,Wales who was head of the Philosophy Department atMcMaster University, and the author of several books. Dave's younger brother,Ian Thomas, is a Canadian singer-songwriter.
The family moved temporarily toDurham, North Carolina, where his father attendedDuke University and earned a PhD in philosophy. The family moved back toDundas, Ontario, in 1961, where Dave attendedDundas District high school, and later graduated with an honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature fromMcMaster University inHamilton, Ontario.[1]
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Starting his career as acopywriter at ad agencyMcCann Erickson in 1974, Thomas became the head writer of theCoca-Cola account in Canada within a year. After watching aSecond City stage show in Toronto, and while suffering from self-described "boredom" in his advertising work, he auditioned for the Second City troupe and was chosen as a performer.[2] He was a cast member of the Toronto production ofGodspell, along withVictor Garber,Martin Short,Eugene Levy,Gilda Radner, andAndrea Martin.[3]Paul Shaffer was the musical director.[3]
He first achieved fame as a cast member of the Canadian TV comedy seriesSCTV, joiningGodspell castmates Levy, Martin and later Short, plusRick Moranis,John Candy,Harold Ramis,Catherine O'Hara and others. Notable characters on the show include Doug McKenzie of beer-swilling brothersBob and Doug McKenzie, editorialist Bill Needle, Scottish scone-chef/bluesman Angus Crock, motor-mouthed TV ad announcer Harvey K-Tel, Lowery organist/curio pitchman Tex Boil and the "Cruising Gourmet".
Thomas's first film role was inHome to Stay, directed byDelbert Mann, in which Thomas played in a scene with Hollywood legendHenry Fonda. He then wrote, co-directed, and starred in the Bob & Doug McKenzie feature filmStrange Brew. Soon after, he wrote for and acted inThe New Show, produced by Lorne Michaels during his hiatus fromSaturday Night Live. Short-lived, this show featured a powerhouse writing staff including Thomas along withBuck Henry,George Meyer,Jack Handey,Al Franken,Tom Davis,Valri Bromfield andSteve Martin. Thomas tried his hand at network television hour-long shows in 1986 when he wrote and co-executive producedSteel Collar Man forCBS. The pilot was produced but did not go to series.
He co-wroteSpies Like Us (1985) withDan Aykroyd.
In 1988, Thomas wrote another hour long show for CBS,B Men, which was back ordered, but Thomas took a directing job atParamount, which caused the network to drop the series. He reportedly introducedJohn Travolta andKelly Preston while directing them in the Paramount filmThe Experts.
He wrote for, produced, and starred inThe Dave Thomas Comedy Show (1990). In 1991, he starred in theShowtime comedy,Public Enemy #2. In 1992, he tried his hand at reality TV and co-executive producedABC'sAmerica's Funniest People withVin Di Bona, but left after thirteen weeks to appear in the filmConeheads.
In 1993, he co-starred in ABC'sGrace Under Fire withBrett Butler andTom Poston and continued with the show for 5 seasons. In 1995 Thomas starred in the ABC television filmPicture Perfect withMary Page Keller andRichard Karn. In 1995 Thomas produced a pilot of a game show calledFamily Challenge for ABC. When ABC did not pick up the series, Thomas soldFamily Challenge to theFamily Channel, where he produced 144 episodes of the show spread over 2 seasons. In 1996, Thomas played the title role in the Fox television filmMr. Foster's Field Trip akaKidz in the Wood withJulia Duffy.
In 1996, he wrote the bookSCTV: Behind the Scenes (McClelland & Stewart, publishers). From 1999–2002, he voiced various roles on the animated seriesMission Hill.
Thomas co-starred in the Paramount featureRat Race. As of 2001, Thomas has been the Executive Creative Director ofAnimax Entertainment, ananimation studio based officially inCulver City, California. In 2001–2002 Thomas appeared withEugene Levy andMartin Short on Short's showPrimetime Glick asBob Hope (an impression he had first developed forSCTV with great success). In 2002, he co-starred withJason Priestley,Dave Foley, andEwen Bremner inFancy Dancing. The next year he played a lead role inBeethoven's 5th. In 2003, he directed a hospital comedy feature film entitledWhitecoats, which he also wrote. As of 2004, Thomas was on the official Advisory Committee for theComedy program atHumber College, the only such diploma program in the world. In 2004, he and Moranis again worked together voicing Rutt and Tuke, two moose based on the McKenzie Brothers, inDisney's animated featureBrother Bear.[4]
Thomas has had a long career doing voices for animation includingAnimaniacs,Duckman,CatDog,The Adventures of Tarzan,Justice League and multiple roles onThe Simpsons,King of the Hill andFamily Guy. In 2005, he had a guest stint asCharlize Theron's "Uncle Trevor" on Fox'sArrested Development. In 2006, he reprised his voice role inBrother Bear 2 and appeared as himself in the feature filmThe Aristocrats. He began production onArnoldSpeaks.com, avideo blog, as the voice ofArnold Schwarzenegger; Animax Entertainment won an Emmy for a broadband animated series produced for ESPN,Off Mikes.
In 2007, Thomas andRick Moranis reprised their roles as Bob and Doug McKenzie in a one-hour special,Bob & Doug McKenzie's Two-Four Anniversary, for CBC Television. The show featured cameos from McKenzie celeb fans likeBen Stiller,Dave Foley,Tom Green,Paul Shaffer,Andy Dick,Matt Groening,Barry Pepper,Martin Short, andGeddy Lee. Former Prime Minister of CanadaPaul Martin was the host. In 2008, Thomas revived Bob and Doug McKenzie in a new animated series,Bob & Doug. While Thomas reprises the character of Doug in the new series, Moranis chose not to voice the character of Bob, which instead is voiced byDave Coulier. Moranis is, however, involved in the series as an executive producer.[5]
In November 2009, Thomas received anHonorary Doctor of Letters from his alma materMcMaster University and gave the fall convocation speech. In 2010 Animax continued to produce branded entertainment, advertising and digital shorts for corporations likeDisney,Warner Brothers,NBC Universal, andKodak. In 2011, Thomas's company Animax produced another animated show for MTV entitledBig Box along with numerous Internet shorts such asLife With Dad.[6][7]
In 2012 and 2013 Thomas guest starred in the dramatic showsPerception andBones as well as comedy showsComedy Bang! Bang! andHow I Met Your Mother. In addition in 2013 Thomas voiced the recurring role ofJeff Foxworthy's father Jesco in theCMT showBounty Hunters.
Thomas joined the writing staff of the Fox crime drama television seriesBones beginning in 2013. Thomas worked for two seasons onBones, writing several episodes and working on staff as consulting producer for two seasons.[8]
In 2015 Thomas joined the writing staff of NBC'sThe Blacklist as a consulting producer.
In 2020 life-sized statues of Thomas and Rick Moranis as their characters Bob and Doug McKenzie were put in place at the ICE District Sports Arena in Edmonton, Alberta.[9]
Also in 2020, the Governor-General of Canada announced that Thomas was being appointed to theOrder of Canada,[10] Canada's highest civilian award.
In 2021, Thomas andMax Allan Collins teamed to write a sci-fi mystery novel,The Many Lives of Jimmy Leighton.[11]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976, 1977 | King of Kensington | Rev. Penner, Harold | 2 Episodes |
| 1976–1982 | Second City Television | Doug McKenzie, various characters | Main cast |
| 1978 | Home to Stay Television MOW | Petrie | Television film |
| 1979 | Riel | Militia Captain | Television film |
| 1984 | The Get Along Gang | Leland Lizard (voice) | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1990 | The Dave Thomas Comedy Show | Himself | 5 episodes; also writer, producer, and director |
| 1991 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose | Lionel Tower | Episode: "Tower of Power" |
| 1992 | Boris and Natasha: The Movie | Boris Badenov | Television film |
| 1993 | Animaniacs | King Arthur (voice) | Episode: "Sir Yaksalot"[16] |
| 1993–1998 | Grace Under Fire | Russell Norton | Main cast |
| 1994 | The Larry Sanders Show | Himself | Episode: "Headwriter" |
| 1994–1996 | The Red Green Show | Ben Franklin | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | Picture Perfect | Ernie Barrett | Television film |
| 1996 | Duckman | Tad Venom (voice) | Episode: "The Longest Weekend" |
| 1996 | Kidz in the Wood | Tom Foster | Television film |
| 1997 | Nightmare Ned | Pig Dad (voice) | Episode: "Canadian Bacon" |
| 1997, 2006 | The Simpsons | Rex Banner, Bob Hope (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | CatDog | Mailman, Mean Bob (voice) | 2 episodes[16] |
| 1999–2005 | King of the Hill | Lane Prately, various voices | 9 episodes |
| 1999 | Cosby | Tully | Episode: "Timerity" |
| 2001 | That '70s Show | Chris | Episode: "Canadian Road Trip" |
| 2001 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Himself | Episode: "The Justice Hole" |
| 2001 | The Legend of Tarzan | Hugo (voice) | 7 episodes |
| 2002 | Justice League | Harv Hickman, Ernst (voice) | 2 episodes[16] |
| 2002 | New Beachcombers | Dave McGonigal | Television film |
| 2005 | Arrested Development | Trevor | 5 episodes |
| 2006 | Weeds | Dr. Bertner | Episode: "Must Find Toes" |
| 2007 | Bob & Doug McKenzie's Two-Four Anniversary | Doug McKenzie | Television film; documentary |
| 2009–2011 | Bob & Doug | Doug McKenzie | Main cast (9 episodes); also creator and producer |
| 2009 | Popzilla | Various voices | Also producer and writer |
| 2011–2012 | Pound Puppies | Agent Todd (voice) | 2 episodes[16] |
| 2012 | Perception | Bill Duffy | Episode: "Shadow" |
| 2012–2015 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Burt Aukerman | 4 episodes |
| 2013, 2017 | Bones | Andrew Jursic, Dick Scarn | 2 episodes; also producer and writer |
| 2013 | How I Met Your Mother | Chuck Gerussi | Episode: "P.S. I Love You" |
| 2013 | Bounty Hunters | Jesco | 5 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | The Blacklist | N/A | Producer and writer (23 episodes) |
| 2019–2020 | Fast & Furious Spy Racers | Cleve Kelso (voice) | 7 episodes[16] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Deadly Companion | Howie | |
| 1981 | Stripes | M.C. | |
| 1983 | Strange Brew | Doug McKenzie | Also director |
| 1985 | Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird | Sam Sleaze | |
| 1986 | My Man Adam | Jerry Swit | |
| 1987 | In the Mood | Bob Hope (voice) | Uncredited |
| 1987 | Love at Stake | Mayor Upton | |
| 1988 | Moving | Gary Marcus | |
| 1989 | Rocket Boy | Rocket Boy | Television film |
| 1989 | The Experts | N/A | Director |
| 1993 | Cold Sweat | Larry | |
| 1993 | Coneheads | Highmaster | |
| 1993 | Ghost Mom | N/A | Director |
| 1997 | Pippi Longstocking | Thunder-Karlsson (voice) | [16] |
| 2000 | MVP: Most Valuable Primate | Willy Drucker | |
| 2001 | Rat Race | Harold Grisham | |
| 2002 | Fancy Dancing | Billy Gemmill | |
| 2002 | Who's Your Daddy? | Carl Hughes | |
| 2003 | Brother Bear | Tuke (voice) | [16] |
| 2003 | Beethoven's 5th | Fred Kablinski | |
| 2004 | Intern Academy | Omar Olson | Also director and writer |
| 2004 | Love on the Side | Red | |
| 2005 | Santa's Slay | Pastor Timmons | |
| 2005 | The Aristocrats | Himself | Documentary |
| 2006 | Brother Bear 2 | Tuke (voice) | [16] |
| 2025 | John Candy: I Like Me | Himself | Documentary |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Tuttles: Madcap Misadventures | The Australian | [16] |
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program | SCTV(shared with other writers) | Won |
| 1982 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program | SCTV(shared with other writers) | Nominated |
| 1983 | Grammy Awards | Best Comedy Album | The Great White North – Bob and Doug McKenzie | Nominated |
| 1983–84 | Juno Awards | Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year | The Great White North – Bob and Doug McKenzie | Won |
| 1994 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite New TV Comedy | Grace Under Fire | Won |
| 1995 | Gemini Awards | Earle Grey Award for Best Cast | SCTV | Won |
| 2005 | 27th Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Achievement In Content For Non-Traditional Delivery Platforms | Off Mikes – Writer for Animax | Won |
