You probably know him as the guy in the wig, holding a martini and delivering devastatingly sharp monologues as Buddy Cole. Or maybe you recognize him as the quirky forensic tech Jimmy Price from Hannibal. Honestly, Scott Thompson has been everywhere for decades, yet people still struggle to pin him down. He’s the Canadian comedy legend who refused to stay in the "sketch comedy" box, and his filmography is a weird, wild ride through cult classics and mainstream hits.
If you grew up on 90s television, The Kids in the Hall was likely your gateway drug to alternative comedy. Thompson was the "blond one," the openly gay pioneer who was doing things on screen in 1989 that most networks wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole today. But looking at scott thompson movies and tv shows over the last 30 years reveals a career that is surprisingly resilient and incredibly diverse. He didn't just fade away after the Kids went on hiatus; he basically became the ultimate "that guy" in Hollywood and Toronto alike.
The Larry Sanders Era and Breaking into the States
When The Kids in the Hall wrapped its initial run in 1995, Thompson didn't miss a beat. He jumped straight into The Larry Sanders Show, playing Brian, the assistant to Hank Kingsley. It was a massive deal. At the time, Larry Sanders was the peak of prestige comedy. Thompson brought a specific, dry energy to the role of Brian that perfectly counterbalanced Jeffrey Tambor’s legendary neurosis.
He stayed for the final three seasons, proving he could hold his own in a scripted sitcom environment without the safety net of his comedy troupe. It’s one of those roles that fans often forget until they see a rerun, and then they're like, "Wait, is that Scott Thompson?" Yes. Yes, it is.
The Cult of Jimmy Price in Hannibal
Fast forward a bit, and Thompson takes a hard left turn into the macabre. If you haven't seen Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal, you're missing out on some of the most beautiful and disturbing television ever made. Thompson plays Jimmy Price, one-half of the forensic duo alongside Aaron Abrams.
👉 See also: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
The chemistry between those two provided the only real levity in a show about cannibalism and psychological torture. It’s a testament to his range. He wasn't playing a "character" in the sketch sense; he was playing a professional—albeit a funny one—in a high-stakes drama. Fannibals (the show's hardcore fanbase) still celebrate his performance at conventions, which is a testament to how much heart he brought to such a dark series.
A Massive List of Credits You Definitely Saw
He’s been in everything. Seriously. From voicing a character on The Simpsons (he played Grady, a gay man who briefly dates Homer) to showing up in Star Trek: Voyager as an alien named Tomin. His resume is a chaotic map of pop culture.
- Mickey Blue Eyes (1999): A small but memorable role in a Hugh Grant mob comedy.
- The Pacifier (2005): Yes, the Vin Diesel movie. He played a director. It’s a paycheck, but he’s great in it.
- Reno 911!: He popped up as Gary Werner, fitting perfectly into the show's improvisational madness.
- FUBAR (2023-present): He recently joined the Arnold Schwarzenegger Netflix series as Dr. Louis Pfeffer. He’s still got the chops.
What about the movies?
While he’s arguably a bigger star on the small screen, Thompson’s film work is nothing to sneeze at. Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996) is, of course, the crown jewel for fans. It was a box office flop that turned into a massive cult hit. His portrayal of the closeted father, Mrs. Hurdicure, and, of course, Buddy Cole in a corporate setting remains iconic.
Then there are the indie projects. Hijacking Hollywood and Don't Talk to Irene show him leaning into more grounded, character-driven work. More recently, he’s been doing voice work in animated projects like Night of the Zoopocalypse (2025) and Pinecone & Pony.
✨ Don't miss: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
The 2022 Revival and the Legend of Buddy Cole
We have to talk about the 2022 revival of The Kids in the Hall on Prime Video. It was a miracle. Usually, when comedy troupes reunite after decades, it’s a bit sad. They’ve lost their edge or they’re just doing the hits. Not these guys. Thompson, in particular, looked like he hadn't aged a day in spirit.
The new season featured a Buddy Cole monologue that was just as biting and relevant as anything he did in the 90s. He’s also been touring a solo show, Buddy Cole in the Last Glory Hole, which has been getting rave reviews. It’s rare for a performer to keep a character alive for 35 years without it feeling like a tired gimmick, but Thompson’s writing is so sharp that Buddy always feels like he’s reacting to the world right now.
Why His Career Actually Matters
Thompson was the first openly gay man I ever saw on TV who wasn't a punchline or a tragedy. He was the one holding the punchline. That’s a huge distinction. His presence in scott thompson movies and tv shows represents a shift in how queer characters were integrated into mainstream media.
He didn't wait for permission to be himself. He just walked onto the screen and dared the audience to keep up. Whether he’s playing a forensic scientist, a post-office worker on Jesse, or a flamboyant socialite, there is an underlying intelligence to his work that makes it stick.
🔗 Read more: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
Facts and Surprises
- Survival: Thompson is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009 and beat it while continuing to work.
- The Shooting: In 1975, he was a student at Brampton Centennial Secondary School during a school shooting. This trauma has informed a lot of his darker comedic sensibilities.
- Mouth Congress: Before the Kids, he was in a "gay punk" band called Mouth Congress. They actually released an album recently of their old recordings. It’s as weird as you’d expect.
What to Watch Next
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Scott Thompson, don’t just stick to the sketch show.
- Watch Hannibal: Seriously, even if you hate horror, his scenes are worth it.
- Find The Larry Sanders Show: It’s a masterclass in ensemble acting.
- Check out FUBAR on Netflix: It's great to see him in a big-budget action-comedy environment.
- Listen to his podcast: He’s been a guest on dozens, and he’s always the most interesting person in the room.
The reality is that Scott Thompson is a survivor. He’s survived the 90s comedy boom, he’s survived health scares, and he’s survived a changing industry that didn't always know what to do with him. He’s a character actor with the soul of a leading man, or maybe a leading man with the face of a thousand characters. Either way, his filmography is a treasure trove for anyone who likes their comedy with a little bit of bite.
Go back and watch the 2022 Kids in the Hall revival first. It’s the perfect bridge between his classic work and his modern sensibilities. From there, jump into his guest spots on shows like Sort Of or Shoresy. You’ll start seeing him everywhere once you know what to look for. His career isn't just a list of credits; it's a blueprint for how to be an original in a world of copies.