HEADLINER: HEATH FRANKLIN’S ‘CHOPPER’
Heath Franklin is a Logie-nominated actor, comedian, improviser and writer. Heath made his television debut on sketch show, The Ronnie Johns Half Hour, where his character, ‘Chopper’, a comedic impersonation of real-life criminal Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, became an international cult hit, selling over half a million tickets worldwide.

Heath’s debut Australian tour, Chopper’s Harden the F*ck Up Australia, went on to perform to sold-out seasons in London and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His second national tour, the critically acclaimed Make Deadsh*ts History, had such a positive response, it led to a DVD recording in D-Division at Pentridge Prison in Melbourne, which was subsequently nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release, and in 2018, Heath was awarded the prestigious ‘Piece of Wood Award’ at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his stand-up show, Bogan Jesus.

Following appearances on Thank God You’re Here and Spicks and Specks, Heath made his feature film debut in the lead role of ‘Mervyn Toebuck’, alongside Jemaine Clement of New Zealand’s Flight of the Conchords, in the multi-award-wining black comedy, Predicament. Heath was a guest comedian on the television series, A Night at the Classic, played ‘Galileo’ in the black comedy film, Ad Nauseam, appeared as ‘Chopper’ in the television movie, No Laughing Matter, and played various characters on the award-winning comedy series, Wednesday Night Fever. Heath’s hilarious stand-up/sketch series, Chopper’s Republic of Anzakistan, aired in New Zealand in 2015, and saw ‘Chopper’ uniting Australia and New Zealand as one country, with a cast of comedians reflecting on the unique aspects of our different cultures. Heath formed part of the ensemble cast of television’s, How Not To Behave and appeared on Jane Campion’s multi-award-winning ABC television series, Top of the Lake. Heath played various characters on the series, Pilot Week, and is a much-loved guest on New Zealand’s comedy panel game shows, 7 Days and Patriot Brains. Heath has appeared as ‘Chopper’ on Give Us A Clue and was a celebrity contestant on Network Ten’s Celebrity Name Game. In 2020, Heath appeared on the ABC’s At Home Alone Together, where Ray Martin joined Australia’s best comedians to share advice on living your best life in the Covid era.

Heath’s television writing credits include 7 Days, Patriot Brains, Pilot Week, The Ronnie Johns Half Hour and Wednesday Night Fever. When he’s not touring, writing for television, or appearing on our TV screens, ‘Chopper’ is in high demand to host corporate events around the country.

With much of 2025 & 2026 spent touring his live show, The Last Hard Bastard on Earth, and Gold, Heath continues his reign as one of Australia’s funniest comedians.