One of new Zealand's best known TV comedians. Known as the "other half" of McPhail and Gadsby. Also as one of New Zealand's finest actors AND of course Mr Gormsby.

David McPhail is an icon in New Zealand entertainment.

In the Merivale, Christchurch, townhouse of actor and writer David McPhail, there is a museum, an archive, a special collection of preserved artifacts – behold, on the windowsill of his office, six Feltex awards. It's like coming across important bones on an archaeological dig. The Feltex engravings have dimmed over the years, but enough is visible to confirm McPhail's place in New Zealand entertainment history. Best Actor. Entertainer of the Year – twice. Those were the days when TV awards were sponsored by a carpet firm. Actually, those were the days when TV awards had a sponsor.

David has, for the past 20 years, written and appeared in a wide variety of television programmes including Letter to Blanchy and McPhail & Gadsby. Both shows have received numerous awards for writing and production. More recently David was on our screens with two wonderful seasons (2004/2005) of Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby in which he played the cringingly realistic lead.

In the late 1970s, the early 1980s, David McPhail was – this is such a great old phrase – in his pomp. Director, writer and star of those great old shows, A Week of It and McPhail & Gadsby. McPhail and Gadsby broke new ground in New Zealand satire. Giving what New Zealand needed - to have a good laugh at itself. David McPhail and Jon Gadsby presented a fast-paced, edgy sketch-comedy show which satirised the events of the week - the newsmakers, politics, sport and social issues. The show was taped in front of a studio audience only hours before transmission. Scarey stuff!

A great many public figures who were merited satirical attention in McPhail's TV shows are likewise extinct. Including, in 1992, former Prime Minister (1975-84) Sir Robert Muldoon, always McPhail's most hilarious and best-known impersonation. No surprise then that, in 2003 David wrote and is performing in the play Muldoon - a moving confrontation with a remarkable man who was arguably the most controversial leader of our time. A unique evening of political intrigue, laughter and poignant drama.

He's fond of telling the story about the time he and Gadsby had performed a live cabaret at Phil Warren's Ace of Clubs in Auckland; McPhail was informed that Muldoon would be in the audience, spotted him – "the spotlight was skimming across the top of his dome" – and went ahead with his parody; afterwards, in the dressing room, "the door burst open, and in came wassisname. Used to be Minister of Immigration. Yes, Aussie Malcolm. And behind him came Muldoon, followed by a photographer from the Herald." Muldoon put his arm around him, McPhail did his Muldoon face, the photo appeared on the front page the next day.

He has worked extensively at The Court Theatre in Christchurch both as an actor and a director in productions ranging from The School for Scandal to Look Back in Anger. He has also performed with Opera New Zealand.

David has written and appeared in many corporate videos and fronted several television campaigns, including a major Australian advertising campaign for the Toyota Motor Company.

David McPhail has received many awards for his work. He has been named both Actor of the Year and Television Personality of the Year on two occasions. In 1995 he was awarded the QSM for service to the community.

David is an articulate and witty speaker, debater and professional MC.

TV Credits include;

2007 Amazing Extraordinary Friends - Series 2
Character: The Green Termite
Company: Greenstone Pictures
Director: Matt McPhail

2006 The Great New Zealand Spelling Bee
Character: Contestant
Company: TVNZ - Television New Zealand
Producer: Nicola van der Meijden

2006 Amazing Extraordinary Friends - Series 1
Character: The Green Termite
Company: Greenstone Pictures
Director: Matt McPhail

2005 Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby
Character: Mr Gormsby (Lead)
Company: Gormsby Productions
Director: Danny Mulheron
Producer: Judith Trye

2004 Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby
Character: Mr Gormsby (Lead)
Company: Gormsby Productions
Director: Danny Mulheron
Producer: Judith Trye