Anthony Ackroyd is one of Australia’s most successful stand up comics and comedy writers. He is currently one of the stars of ABC’s Thank God It’s Friday! which is the top rating radio comedy show in Australia, and is a senior writer for Granada Television at Fox Studios. He is the creator and director of the global organisation United Nations Of Comedy (www.united-nations-of-comedy.com). As a stand up comic he has produced laughter live in front of audiences ranging in number from a private party of 10 to 110,000 at Stadium Australia.
Anthony rose to prominence as a star of the ABC’s legendary comedy series The Big Gig and has performed and written for over one hundred Australian and international TV shows, radio programmes, and feature films (he’s even been a question on Wheel Of Fortune!). He was a writer-performer on Australia’s most successful comedy TV series, The Comedy Company.
Anthony has worked extensively throughout Australia, USA, UK, New Zealand, and Asia. He has workshopped material with writer-performers such as Billy Crystal and Rowan Atkinson, and co-starred in the movie Reckless Kelly with Alexei Sayle. He has also written material for Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura character.
As a clown-doctor Anthony has spent years cheering up sick children in the Sydney Children’s Hospital. He is a certified Laughter Group Leader with Laughter Club International.
Anthony was the creator and Director of the Bowral Of Laughs Comedy Festival, a three year project which showcased the cream of Australian comedy including the staging of the official Graham Kennedy Celebration which honoured Australia’s greatest comedian.
As CEO (Chief Enjoyment Officer!) of his company Ant ACK Anthony also applies his unique talents to entertaining and inspiring the business and corporate world with his keynote delivery and workshop Go Ahead, Laugh! He teaches people how to consciously create and enjoy the benefits of more humour, laughter, play, and positive energy at work and in life in general.
Anthony is recognised as an authority on the social impact of comedy and his articles on this subject are frequently printed in leading publications including the Sydney Morning Herald. He was chosen to be part of a group of prominent Australians whose opinions on the nature of democracy were recorded for a permanent multi-media installation at the Museum Of Australian Democracy in Canberra.
Due to his being “blessed” with an uncanny resemblance to our Prime Minister Anthony has now become Australia’s No. 1 Kevin Rudd impersonator (www.kevinruddpm.com.au)
Anthony is currently preparing to direct the United Nations Of Comedy feature film documentary.