Thomas Ward

Writer-comedian Thomas Ward joined his childhood friend, Australian comedian Josh Thomas, on his rapid ascent to international fame, first as a writer for his comedy routines, and later as co-star and writer for his darkly comic television series "Please Like Me" (2013-16). Originally hailing from Brisbane, Australia, Ward grew up in Melbourne, where he met and befriended Josh Thomas in high school. The pair began performing comedy together as teenagers, and forged a professional relationship after high school; Ward contributed material for Thomas' standup career, which bloomed in the late 2000s through appearances at major international comedy festivals. During this period, Ward and Thomas also collaborated on a popular podcast called "Josh Thomas and Friend," while Ward also wrote for and created digital content for numerous other top comedians in Australia. In 2012, Ward became a series regular and writer for "Please Like Me," a comedy-drama created by and starring Thomas as a hapless twenty-something contending with a barrage of changes in his life, including his own sexuality and relationships with friends and family. Ward played Thomas's best friend, Tom, who attempted to provide support while also contending with his own romantic struggles. The series launched in Australia on ABC2 and in the United States on a new digital and satellite cable channel called Pivot; critical praise for its debut season led to a second season in 2014, with a third season announced shortly thereafter.