Background
Ackroyd was born in Hobart, Tasmania and grew up in the tough working class suburb of Warrane.
Ackroyd was born in Hobart, Tasmania and grew up in the tough working class suburb of Warrane.
He is the creator and director of the "United Nations of Comedy" which aims to bring together the best comedy from around the world and build bridges between cultures through shared humour. Television exposure quickly followed with frequent appearances on popular television shows such as The Video Comedy Store, Hey, Hey, lieutenant"s Saturday and The Midday Show. From 1989–1991 he was a cast member on American Broadcasting Company television"s pioneering live comedy show The Big Gig.
During the 1990s he appeared on television shows including Good News Week, Tonight Live, "Mornings with Kerri-Anne, and Pizza.
He performed the critically acclaimed comedy monologue "Karma Comedian" on American Broadcasting Company"s "The Smallest Room in the House", which detailed with great honesty many aspects of his life to that point. Ackroyd"s one man shows have included Anthony Ackroyd in His Own Little World, Ecstasy and How To Get lieutenant, At Last The Truth About Everything, and The Fruit of My Lions.
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian newspapers acknowledged Ackroyd as one of the best comedians of his generation. Cosmopolitan Magazine dubbed him "The Manitoba of the Moment".
Beat Magazine declared him "one of the ultimate comedy legends".
He has written for television and film including the highly successful Australian sketch show The Comedy Company and two years writing for an internet sitcom spin off for Jim Carrey"s Ace Ventura character. He has workshopped material with writer-performers such as Billy Crystal and Rowan Atkinson. Ackroyd"s articles have appeared in publications such as Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Vogue, Life Etc., Studio, Eco Magazine, Parenting, Men"s Stuff, and Good Taste.
Ackroyd"s film work includes roles in the movies Reckless Kelly, Geno, and Willful.
He provided the voice of Dragon on the award winning children"s television show Magic Mountain. This examination of comedy"s power in society led Ackroyd to declare that "comedy is the correct response to life".
He now devotes himself to writing and performing comedy for stage, print media, television, and feature films. Due to an uncanny resemblance, Ackroyd also became a frequent impersonator of Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.
He is now one of Australia"s leading political satirists and hosts his own show "Political Bent".
Ackroyd began performing stand up comedy at the Sydney Comedy Store in the 1980s.
He is a cast member of the American Broadcasting Company radio comedy show "Thank God lieutenant"s Friday!".