David A. Sinker, Sp '81
James T. Tiedge Memorial AwardJ. William and Mary Diederich
College of Communication
James T. Tiedge Memorial Award
David A. Sinker, Sp '81
Worried someone you know may be a comedy writer? Ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up. If he says, "At least 5 foot 9," you may be onto something. If he adds that the most influential people in his life are "Gilligan from Gilligan's Island, Hawkeye from M*A*S*H and, during puberty, Marcia Brady," danger! And if he recommends "anything written by George Carlin, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby and Lenny Bruce" as a training manual for up-and-comers in his field, bingo.
Dave Sinker, the fount of all this wisdom, is an Emmy Award-winner who wrote comedy for the television shows Totally Hidden Video, M.S.I. Science Zone, The Jenny Jones Show and Haywire and co-wrote the film Camp Tanglefoot. He also has worked in theatre, writing plays, creating material for the Good Vibes Theater troupe and performing with the touring company of Chicago's legendary Second City improv group. He also was director of Second City's Children's Theatre.
Following in the footsteps of writer and performer John Cleese, Dave now devotes his talents to producing short comic pieces for corporate audiences through his Sinker Swim Comedy Troupe. He's the voice and writer for the video productions Stinky Shoe, Coach Laroo and Sun Microsystem's Inside Jack.
When not drilling home key business principles through humor, Dave performs and teaches with other improv veterans at the Comedy Shrine theater in Naperville, Ill., which he owns and for which he serves as artistic director. He's grateful to the Marquette alumni and friends who opened doors for him on the way up, saying, "Without their support, I would have a much smaller resume."
Fun facts about Dave
Someone (past or present) he’d like to have dinner with: Groucho Marx and Robert Kennedy
