Heath Franklin

About Heath

Heath Franklin is a Logie-nominated actor, comedian, improviser and writer, best known for creating 'Chopper' — a comedic impersonation of real-life criminal Mark 'Chopper' Read — on the sketch show The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. The character became an international cult hit, selling over half a million tickets worldwide. His debut Australian tour, Chopper's Harden the F*ck Up Australia, played to sold-out seasons in London and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His follow-up tour, Make Deadsh*ts History, was recorded at Pentridge Prison and subsequently nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release. In 2018, Heath received the prestigious Piece of Wood Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his stand-up show Bogan Jesus.

Heath's screen work reaches well beyond the Chopper character. He made his feature film debut opposite Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords in the black comedy Predicament, played North in Jane Campion's multi-award-winning ABC series Top of the Lake, and has been a much-loved regular panellist on New Zealand's 7 Days. His television writing credits include 7 Days, Patriot Brains, Pilot Week, The Ronnie Johns Half Hour and Wednesday Night Fever. His 2015 New Zealand TV series, Chopper's Republic of Anzakistan, united Australia and New Zealand as one comedic nation. His current live show, The Last Hard Bastard on Earth, continued touring through 2025.

When not on tour, 'Chopper' is in high demand to host corporate events around the country — a proposition that offers something no other MC can: a character so recognisable and so finely calibrated that the room knows exactly what it's in for, and loves every moment. Previous corporate clients include Vodafone, Harvey Norman, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Royal New Zealand Armed Forces.