Dave Thornton

“Slick, funny…devastatingly effective”
- Chortle (UK)

2024 MICF Oxfam Gala

2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala

2021 Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala

2021 Comedy Up Late

On Tour!

Dave Thornton doesn’t just tell jokes- he builds entire worlds out of the absurdity of everyday Australian life. Honest, whip-smart, and damn funny, this Geelong export has spent over twenty years proving that sharp wit and genuine warmth aren’t mutually exclusive.

He’s a road warrior who’s performed across four continents – from sold-out Australian theatres to Edinburgh, Montreal, Singapore, and New York – consistently delivering comedy that feels less like a performance and more like your funniest mate recounting their week.

You’ve probably seen Dave lighting up The Project panel or hosting Channel 9’s 20 to 1. He’s battled wits on Would I Lie To You Australia, charmed audiences on Spicks and Specks, appeared on The Hundred with Andy Lee, and popped up on Hughesy, We Have a Problem. He’s also combined his love of comedy and sport hosting Fox Footy’s AFL quiz show The DBeep Test and appearing as a regular panelist on Fox Sports’ The Back Page.

But Dave’s talents extend well beyond the stage and screen. He’s an accomplished actor with roles in Upper Middle Bogan and House Husbands, one of Australia’s most beloved radio broadcasters (including four years on Fox FM breakfast), and an in-demand voice-over artist.

Online, Dave’s stand-up clips have racked up millions of views from fans around the world, proving his comedy translates everywhere. Whether he’s crafting material about fatherhood, family life, or the peculiarities of being Australian, Dave has mastered the art of making strangers feel like insiders. Smart without being smug, personal without being preachy, cheeky but always capable – Dave Thornton is one of Australia’s best, and he makes it look effortless.

Live Shows
Television
Radio
Recordings
Television (Acting)
Awards
Corporate
Other Notable Work

2024 “Nothing’s Unpossible” – Solo Show
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Canberra Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival

2023 “Chatter” – Solo Show
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Canberra Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Perth Comedy Festival

2022 “That Happened” – Solo Show
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival

2021 “Tommy little’s Big Comedy Showcase” – Line up show
Sidney Myer Music Bowl

2021 “Novel Problems” – Solo Show
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival

2021 “The Detour – Dave Thornton and Dilruk Jayasinha” – Two Man Show
Adelaide Fringe Festival

2019 “Lean Into It” – Solo Show
Brisbane Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Canberra Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival

2018 “So What Now?” – Solo Show
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Canberra Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival

2017 “Onwards and Upwards” – Solo Show
Brisbane Comedy Festival, Canberra Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival

2016 “So On And So Forth” – Solo Show
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Canberra Comedy Festival

2015 “Spit and Polish” – Solo Show
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Store

2013-14 “Tall and Pointy” – Solo Show
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Store, Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Return Season 2014)

2012 “The Some Of All The Parts” – Solo Show
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Store

2011 “I Wanna be Bruce Lee” – Solo Show
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival

2010 “A Different Type Of Normal” – Solo Show
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival Edinburgh Fringe Festival

2009 “Allow Me To Introduce Myself” – Solo Show
Edinburgh Fringe Festival

2009 “Never Sweat” – Solo Show
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

2011-24 – Network TEN: The Project (Regular Guest and Guest Co-Host)

2022-23 – Fox Sport: Fox Sport – The Back Page (Regular Guest)

2011-23 – Network TEN: The Project (Regular Guest and Guest Co-Host)

2023 – ABC TV: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Opening Night Gala (Stand Up)

2023 – Network TEN: The Hundred with Andy Lee (Contestant)

2022 – SBS: Celebrity Letters and Numbers (Contestant)

2022 – Network Ten: Would I Lie To You? Australia (Guest)

2022 – ABC TV: Melbourne Comedy Festival Oxfam Gala (Spot)

2021 – ABC TV: Melbourne Comedy Festival Oxfam Gala (Spot)

2021 – ABC TV: The Weekly S7 (JFK) 2020

2020 – Network Ten: Kinne Tonight (Various Characters)

2020 – Comedy Channel: Just For Laughs Sydney (Spot)

2019 – Network Ten: Celebrity Name Game (Guest)

2018 – 19 – Fox Footy: The Beep Test (Host)

2011 – 19 – Network Ten: The Project (Regular Guest and Guest Co-Host)

2019 – ABC TV: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Oxfam Gala (Stand Up)

2019 – Network Ten: Spring Racing Carnival Coverage

2019 – Network Ten: Show Me The Movie! (Guest)

2018 – ABC TV: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Oxfam Gala (Stand up)

2018 – Network Ten: Hughesy We Have A Problem (Guest)

2017 – Channel Nine: 20 to 1 (Co-Host)

2017 – ABC TV: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Opening Night Gala (Stand up)

2017 – ABC TV: Sideliners (Regular Panellist)

2017 – Network TEN: All Star Family Feud – Comedians vs Comedians (Contestant)

2016 – Comedy Channel: Just For Laughs Stand Up Series (Stand Up)

2016 – Network Ten: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Oxfam Gala (Stand Up)

2016 – Channel Nine: 20 to 1 (Interview Guest)

2015 – Comedy Channel: Just For Laughs at the Sydney Opera House, 10 part series (Host)

2015 – Network TEN: Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala (Stand Up)

You can download a full list of Television credits below

2023 – Podcast: Wilosophy (Guest)

2023 – Podcast: Picture Discuss (Guest)

2023 – Hit Network: Carrie and Tommy (Fill in Host)

2023 –KIIS Network: Will and Woody (Guest)

2020 – Podcast: There Will Be A Test (Host)

2014-17 – Fox FM: Breakfast with Fifi, Dave, Fev and Byron (Co-Host)

2013 – 2DayFM: Weekend Breakfast With Sophie and Dave (Co-Host)

2012-13 – Today Network: (National) Mamma Mia Today –Daily show (co-host)

2011-13 – Fox FM: Melbourne Breakfast Show (Regular fill in co-host)

2009-10 – NOVA 96.9 Brisbane: Breakfast Show (Fill in co-host)

2010 – NOVA – National: Saturday Morning Show (Solo Host)

2009 – NOVA – National: Summer Breakfast Show (Co-Host with Dylan Lewis and Sophie Monk)

2009 – NOVA 100: Melbourne Sunday Night Show (Host)

2008 – NOVA 100: Melbourne Breakfast Show (Guest)

2007-08 – RRR: The Pinch (Declan Fay & Chris Kennett)

2011 – Madman Entertainment: A Different Type of Normal (stand-up DVD)

2021 – Network Ten: Five Bedrooms (Guest Role)

2018 – Channel Nine: True Story with Hamish and Andy (Guest Role)

2014-16 – ABC TV: Upper Middle Bogan(Troy)

2015 – Feature Film: Now Add Honey(Detective Andrew Smith)

2013 – ABC TV: Upper Middle Bogan(Troy)

2012 – Channel 9: House Husbands

2008 – ABC: Bed of Roses- Ep 1&3

2007 – Crackerjack/Channel 9: Prod’s Comedy Inc Series V

2013: “GQ Comedian of the Year” Winner

2009: Studio A, “Program Of The Year”, Host Winner

2007: “Best Newcomer” MICF Nominee

2006: “Campus Comedian of the Year” (TREV Awards) Winner

2005: “Angling For a Laugh” Winner

2005: “Search For Funny Bone” Winner

2005: “Green Faces” Second Place

Dave Thornton is available to perform or host your next corporate event.
Please get in touch with our dedicated staff here to discuss what we can do for you and your team.

Previous clients Include:
Australia Post
Cancer Council Australia
Hawthorn Football Club
Mazda Australia
Adelaide Football Club
Melbourne University
Telstra Communications
Total Tools
LinkedIn
and many more…

Testimonials:

Having seen Dave Thornton at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, I knew he was the right fit for our industry dinner. He’s the sort of bloke that would suit any type of event, corporate or not. Very funny. Highly recommend.
– AREMA Annual Dinner

We’ve used a lot of comedians and MCs over the years, but the reception we received from Dave Thornton was the best we’ve ever had. Dave is an amazing talent, quick to pick up on the crowd and ‘get’ the group. He is an amazing MC and held the crowd with his fantastic stage presence, wit, charisma as well as the jokes. He was spot on! The feedback from all the delegates was that he is the best we have ever had! Thank you Mr. Thornton! You made our night perfect!
– Total Tools Annual Conference

It was our absolute pleasure to recently have seasoned stand-up comedian Dave Thornton launch the Melbourne Airport Excellence Awards to our team. Along with hysterical laughter filling the room, Dave also injected pathos into his role as host. We look forward to welcoming Dave back to the airport soon.
– Melbourne Airport Excellence Awards Launch

2021 – Face of Uncle Toby’s Oats Campaign

2021 – Host – Melbourne Comedy Festival Digital Program “Melbourne Comedy Rooms”

2020 – Host – Carlton Draught’s Home Game (Web Series)

2020 – Voice Over -Just For Laughs Clip Show, Network Ten

2020-21 – Voice Over – HBF “Quokka” Character

2020 – Delivered Live – Comedy Spot

2020 – “In Vino Veritas – With Merrick Watts” (Guest)

2020 – Beyond Blue – Regular engagements at fundraising events

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