Biography
Who is Dave Thomas?
Early life and education
Dave Thomas was born on May 20, 1949, in St. Catharines, Ontario. He grew up in a household with British parents. His father, John E. Thomas, was a medical ethicist and a professor who headed the philosophy department at McMaster University. His mother, Moreen Duff Muir, worked as a church organist for three decades.
During his childhood, the family spent time in Durham, North Carolina, while his father completed a PhD at Duke University. They eventually returned to Dundas, Ontario, in 1961. Dave attended local high school before moving on to higher education. He graduated with honors from McMaster University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature.
Rise to fame and SCTV
Before finding success in comedy, Dave Thomas worked as a copywriter for the McCann Erickson advertising agency. He rose to the position of head writer for the Coca-Cola account in Canada within one year. His career shifted after he attended a Second City stage production in Toronto and decided to audition for the troupe.
He gained significant recognition as a cast member on the Canadian comedy series SCTV. It was on this show that he developed the famous characters Bob and Doug McKenzie with Rick Moranis. For his work on SCTV, Dave Thomas earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. He also co-directed the film Strange Brew, which featured these famous characters.
Acting and writing career
Throughout his career, Dave Thomas has appeared in many films and television programs. He had roles in movies such as Coneheads, Rat Race, and Beethoven's 5th. In television, he played Russell Norton on the series Grace Under Fire and provided voice work for the animated film Brother Bear. His voice acting credits extend to shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Animaniacs.
Beyond acting, he has worked extensively behind the scenes as a producer and writer. He co-wrote the film Spies Like Us and contributed to the writing staff for the drama series Bones. He also served as a consulting producer for the NBC show The Blacklist. His production company, Animax Entertainment, has created various animated projects for networks like MTV and ESPN.
Family and honors
Dave has one sibling, a younger brother named Ian Thomas, who is a singer-songwriter in Canada. His professional achievements have been recognized with several high honors. In 1995, he received the Earle Grey Award for his contributions to SCTV. He has also been recognized with a Juno Award for his comedy album work.
In 2020, the Governor-General of Canada announced his appointment to the Order of Canada. This is considered the highest civilian honor in the country. Also, McMaster University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Letters in 2009. His legacy as a performer was celebrated when statues of him and Rick Moranis were placed in the ICE District Sports Arena in Edmonton.
Birthday and age
Dave Thomas was born on May 20, 1949, which makes Dave 77 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Dave shares the date with 62 other famous people.
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