Scott Thompson

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Scott Thompson – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Learn about Scott Thompson, Canadian comedian and actor known for The Kids in the Hall, his iconic character Buddy Cole, personal journey, and influence in comedy and LGBTQ representation.

Introduction

Scott Thompson (born June 12, 1959) is a celebrated Canadian comedian, actor, and writer, best known as a longtime member of the sketch comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall. His career spans television, stage, and voice work, often marked by sharp wit, LGBTQ-centered commentary, and unforgettable characters. Thompson’s work—especially his alter ego Buddy Cole—has left a significant mark on comedy, representation, and queer visibility.

Early Life and Family

Scott Thompson was born John Scott Thompson on June 12, 1959, in North Bay, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Brampton, Ontario, and attended Brampton Centennial Secondary School. He was named “John Scott Thompson” after a relative, but he later dropped “John” to simplify his stage name. He is the second oldest among his siblings.

At age 19, Thompson joined Canada World Youth and spent time in the Philippines as part of that program. He later studied at York University, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in English and Theatre. However, in his third year he was reportedly asked to leave for being “disruptive.”

Before his comedy breakthrough, Thompson performed with a sketch/improv troupe called The Love Cats, where he met Mark McKinney, which would eventually lead to Thompson joining The Kids in the Hall.

Career and Achievements

Joining The Kids in the Hall

In the mid-1980s, Scott Thompson became involved with The Kids in the Hall. The troupe originally formed in 1984, and after some iterations, Thompson joined in January 1985 to complete the classic lineup of five.

The group’s sketch series The Kids in the Hall ran from 1989 to 1995, across both Canadian (CBC) and U.S. networks (HBO, CBS) at various points. Thompson’s contributions included performances, writing, and creation of memorable recurring characters.

One of his most iconic personas is Buddy Cole—an effeminate, yet sharp-tongued socialite and gay character, often delivering monologues reflecting queer experience and cultural commentary. Buddy Cole appeared in many sketches, usually addressing the camera directly from his bar, “Buddy’s,” offering both humor and poignant insight.

In 1996, the troupe released a feature movie, Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy, co-written and acted by them.

Television, Film & Other Projects

Outside The Kids in the Hall, Thompson acted in television and film. One recurring role was Brian, the assistant to Hank Kingsley, on The Larry Sanders Show.

He has made guest appearances on numerous shows and series, including Hannibal (as Jimmy Price), and other comedy or dramatic roles.

In Canada, Thompson has also produced and performed one-man shows like The Lowest Show on Earth, Champagne Soul, Around the House. He also hosted the reality show My Fabulous Gay Wedding in Canada (2006) and has appeared on Comedy Central’s Out on the Edge.

He co-authored a humor book Buddy Babylon: The Autobiography of Buddy Cole with Paul Bellini in 1998. He also has a graphic novel The Hollow Planet, using characters (including Danny Husk) drawn from his KITH sketches.

In the 2010s and beyond, Thompson reprised KITH work. The troupe’s 2010 miniseries, The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town, allowed them to revisit characters and material. More recently, a documentary The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks (2022) revisited the history and influence of the troupe, featuring Thompson among others.

Awards and Recognition

The Kids in the Hall won multiple Gemini Awards in Canada (for writing, performance). Their writing was also nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards in the U.S.

Thompson is honored in Brampton’s local cultural programs (e.g. Brampton “Inductees”) for his contributions as a comedian and performer.

Personality, Challenges & Resilience

Scott Thompson is openly gay, and much of his work has engaged directly with queer identity, comedy, and social commentary.

In 2000, Thompson’s Hollywood home, which he shared with his partner Joel Soler, was firebombed following a satirical political documentary project. The house was doused with gasoline, painted with red paint, and a threatening note was left. It was a traumatic incident that influenced his later work, particularly The Lowest Show on Earth.

In 2009, Thompson was diagnosed with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s gastric lymphoma. After undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, he recovered and is now cancer-free.

These adversities—personal, physical, and creative—have shaped Thompson’s voice and deepened the emotional texture of his comedy.

Legacy and Influence

• Scott Thompson’s character Buddy Cole is considered a groundbreaking figure in queer comedy—witty, self-assured, and complex—neither a caricature nor sanitized token.

• Within The Kids in the Hall, he helped expand the boundaries of sketch comedy, contributing voices and perspectives often underrepresented.

• His work has inspired younger LGBTQ comedians and performers to bring authenticity and nuance to queer characters in comedy.

• The 2022 documentary Comedy Punks and KITH revivals remind audiences of his role in shaping Canadian and international comedy.

• His resilience in the face of violence, health challenges, and industry pressures also makes him a figure of perseverance and integrity.

Famous Quotes of Scott Thompson

While fewer high-profile quotes are documented compared to more prolific public speakers, here are remarks and sentiments attributed to Thompson:

“We were sleeping … they filled our giant garbage cans with gasoline and set them on fire … They put a note … ‘burn this Satanic film or you will be dead.’”
— recalling the 2000 firebombing incident.

On confronting stereotype and criticism regarding Buddy Cole:
“The whole idea of Buddy Cole being considered a terrible stereotype … I think is just tragic. … I think most gay men are more Buddy than Sly.”

These expressions highlight both his fortitude and his commitment to challenging reductive perceptions in comedy.

Lessons from Scott Thompson

1. Use comedy as a mirror, not just escapism. Thompson balances humor with social insight, particularly around identity.

2. Authenticity matters. Giving voice to characters like Buddy Cole with dignity and intelligence can shift perceptions.

3. Survive adversity and channel it. His capacity to translate trauma into art is a model of resilience.

4. Collaboration is essential. His work with the KITH troupe underscores the power of ensemble creativity.

5. Legacy isn’t measured in volume alone. Thompson’s cultural imprint is strong though his output is selective.

Conclusion

Scott Thompson is a comedic force whose work marries wit, queerness, and emotional depth. Through The Kids in the Hall and iconic characters like Buddy Cole, he pushed boundaries and opened space for LGBTQ voices in mainstream comedy. His resilience in the face of personal trials and continued creative presence ensure his legacy remains influential.