Dave Thomas was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, to John and Moreen Thomas. His father, John Thomas, was a PhD in Philosophy from Duke University, a medical ethicist, and head of the Philosophy Department at McMaster University, as well as an author of several books. His mother, Moreen Thomas, was a church organist for 30 years and a composer of church music. Dave's brother, Ian Thomas, is a renowned Canadian musician and composer.
Dave began his career in advertising at McCann Erickson, becoming the head writer of the Coca-Cola account after just one year. He then moved to the New York office at the request of the agency's client, Coca-Cola. After three years in advertising, Dave left to work at Second City Company in Toronto, where he collaborated with Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Gilda Radner, and Eugene Levy. He co-founded NBC's critically acclaimed comedy series SCTV with his SCTV co-stars, including Harold Ramis, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and John Candy.
Dave won numerous awards for his work on SCTV, including an Emmy Award, four Emmy nominations, an ACTRA Award for Best Variety Performer, and the Earl Grey Award in 1993. He also co-created the McKenzie Brothers with Rick Moranis and co-starred in the cult hit comedy film Strange Brew, which won the Golden Reel Award for the highest box office grossing movie in Canada in 1983. The McKenzie Brothers have become a 20-year-plus enduring franchise, and Thomas and Moranis have licensed the characters to various companies, including NBC, CBC, Polygram, MGM, Pizza Hut, Mr. Lubbe, Miller Brewing, Molsons Brewing, Todd McFarlane Toys, and Disney.
Dave has written, directed, produced, and co-starred in numerous television shows, including The Dave Thomas Comedy Show, Grace Under Fire, America's Funniest People, and Ghost Mom. He has also voiced animated shows like The Simpsons, Duckman, Catdog, Dilbert, Animaniacs, Justice League of America, and Tarzan. Dave has appeared in numerous feature films, including Stripes, Spies Like Us, The Experts, Boris & Natasha, Coneheads, and Rat Race.
In addition to his work in television and film, Dave has written a book, SCTV Behind the Scenes, which is currently in its second printing. His production company, Maple Palm Productions, has produced several comedy specials, including The Time Travels of Henry Osgood and Standup at Forty. Dave is currently voicing a major role in the upcoming Disney animated feature Bears, alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Rick Moranis.
Dave is a partner in Animax Interactive, an online production company creating sponsored interactive content and designing Web Pages for companies such as Ford, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Brothers, and Verizon. He lives in Malibu, California with his wife Kim and their four children, John, Emily, Harry, and Charlie.
