Anthony Ackroyd

Anthony Ackroyd is one of Australia’s most successful stand-up comics and comedy writers. Known for his intelligence and quick wit, he is one of the regular stars of Australia’s top-rating radio comedy show, the ABC’s Thank God It’s Friday! and a popular panel member on TV’s Q&A.

In the corporate arena Anthony is one of the most in demand and accomplished comedians, and a superb MC. He is also an expert speaker on the power of laughter and humour and is recognised as a leading authority on the social impacts of comedy.

As a stand-up comic, Anthony has entertained audiences ranging in number from a private party of 10 to 110,000 at ANZ Stadium.

About Anthony Ackroyd:

Before becoming a comedian Anthony worked as a busker, actor, puppeteer, songwriter, musician and was the lead singer in the almost famous rock band Albatross.

Anthony rose to prominence as a star of ABC TV’s legendary comedy series The Big Gig and has performed and written for hundreds of Australian and international TV shows, radio programmes, and feature films (he’s even been a question on Wheel Of Fortune!). He was also a writer-performer on Australia’s most successful comedy TV series, The Comedy Company.

Anthony’s impersonation of ex-Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, became the stuff of legend and was described by the real ex-PM Bob Hawke as “the funniest and best in the history of Australian political impersonation”.

Anthony has worked extensively throughout Australia, USA, UK, New Zealand, South America, the Middle East and Asia. He was chosen as one of six international speakers to be featured at Kuwait’s first ever happiness conference and was a headline speaker at the renowned Happiness & Its Causes conference.

Anthony has workshopped material with writer-performers such as Billy Crystal and Rowan Atkinson, and co-starred in the movie Reckless Kelly with Hugo Weaving and English comic Alexei Sayle. He has also written material for Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura character.

As a clown-doctor Anthony spent years cheering up sick children in the Sydney Children’s Hospital. He is a certified Laughter Group Leader with Laughter Club International. He also worked extensively as a Humour Therapist in aged care facilities helping dementia patients.

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.

Recognised as a leading authority on the social and cultural impacts of comedy, Anthony’s articles on this subject are frequently printed in leading publications including the Sydney Morning Herald.

The political satire web shows Political Bent and The Ackroyd Retort Anthony wrote and presented were featured on the websites of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WA Today, and The Brisbane Times.

In recognition of his cultural influence Anthony 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.

Anthony is the CEO of the company he created Feel Betterer which helps people have fun changing their lives for the better through high quality online courses and live events.

Anthony Ackroyd talks about:

In the business and corporate world Anthony applies his unique talents to entertaining and inspiring with his keynote delivery and seminar Stress Less Laugh More. He teaches people how to deliberately and skilfully enjoy, create and express humour and laughter at work and in life in general and reap the rewards. His work in this area was featured on Oprah Winfrey’s website.