Dave Thornton
Dave Thornton | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 13, 1979 Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, actor, presenter |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Known for | Stand-up comedy, television and radio presenting |
Dave Thornton (born 13 December 1979) is an Australian comedian, actor, and presenter active in both television and radio. His comedic performances have taken him throughout Australia as well as internationally to locations such as Edinburgh, Singapore, and New York. He has also made numerous appearances on Australian broadcast platforms.
Stand-up comedy
Thornton launched his stand-up career in 2002, competing in the Geelong heats of Raw Comedy. His one-hour solo show Euro:mission, inspired by his backpacking adventures, premiered at the 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, earning a nomination for 'Best Newcomer'. He has been a regular participant at this festival since then and made his first appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009 with the show Allow Me to Introduce Myself.
His television comedy credits include appearances on Good Morning Australia (Network 10) in 2006, Stand Up Australia (Comedy Channel) in 2007, and Rove (Network 10) in 2008.
Radio
In October 2009, Thornton took on hosting duties for a Sunday evening program on Nova 100 Melbourne. Subsequently, he served as a national fill-in host on Nova's breakfast slot during December alongside Dylan Lewis and Sophie Monk. Beginning January 2010, he substituted for Ash Bradnam on Nova 106.9 Brisbane with Tim Blackwell and Meshel Laurie. By mid-2010, he was presenting the nationwide Saturday morning show 'Saturday Sessions' together with comedian Mel Buttle. Additionally, he frequently covered for Matt Tilley on The Matt and Jo Show broadcast on FOX FM.
In September 2013, Thornton co-hosted the Weekend Breakfast program alongside Sophie Monk on the Today Network. Later that year in November, Southern Cross Austereo revealed that Thornton would join Fifi Box to co-host Fifi & Dave on FOX FM starting in 2014. The show later expanded to include Brendan Fevola in 2016 as Fifi, Dave & Fev, followed by Byron Cooke in 2017 under the title Fifi, Dave, Fev & Byron. Thornton departed from Fox FM in September 2017.
Television
Thornton has been featured as a panelist on numerous programs such as Good News Week, ADbc, Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, The White Room, This Week Live, All Star Family Feud, Celebrity Name Game, Studio 10, The Project, Show Me the Movie!, and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.
In 2007, Thornton joined Channel 9's Comedy Inc., stepping in for Jim Russell. The next year, he portrayed Shannon Atherton, an injured AFL athlete, in the ABC drama series Bed of Roses.
He served as host for the initial three seasons of Studio A, a live chat program produced by RMITV, which featured guests including Rove McManus, Tony Martin, and former Melbourne Mayor John So. This show received the 'Programme of the Year' award at the 2009 Channel 31 Antenna Awards.
Between 2013 and 2014, Thornton had a recurring role as Troy Van Winkle in ABC’s comedy series Upper Middle Bogan. In 2025, he participated as a contestant on the quiz show Claire Hooper's House Of Games.
Podcast
Between 2011 and 2013, Thornton co-hosted the weekly podcast Slapbang Radio alongside comedian Tommy Little.
Personal life
Thornton was born in Geelong, Victoria to parents Ineke and Peter Thornton. He completed his secondary education at Belmont High School and pursued studies in Design and Art at the Gordon Institute of TAFE.
In July 2015, he revealed his engagement to his partner Nixi. Thornton is also an avid supporter of the Geelong Football Club in the AFL.
Recognition
Tim Hunter from The Age commended Thornton's 2006 performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for its "self-deprecating and engaging" nature, particularly praising his impression of Dave Hughes. Erin White of Australian Stage characterized his comedic approach as "quintessentially Australian."
Melissa Phillips of East Torrens Messenger observed that Thornton’s show A Different Type of Normal skillfully blends candidness with familial anecdotes, while Melissa Mack from The Independent Weekly described it as "witty" and deeply personal. The program Rove Daily referred to Thornton as "one of Australia’s most exciting young stand-up comics."
Awards and nominations
- 2005, Winner of Search For Funny Bone
- 2005, Winner of Angling For a Laugh
- 2006, Campus Comedian of the Year (TREV Awards) Winner
- 2007, Nominee for 'Best Newcomer' at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival