Who is Dave Lawson? Sarah Snook thanks husband as she wins first Tony award

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Opening Night Gala - Arrivals - Source: Getty
Who is Dave Lawson - Source: Getty: Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Opening Night Gala - Arrivals

What began as a friendship in 2014 between comedian Dave Lawson and actress Sarah Snook, quietly evolved into something deeper. However their friendship developed into romance only years later, and under unlikely circumstances.

For a long time, their bond remained purely platonic. Sarah Snook once pointed out that the timing was never right, neither was “single at the same time.” But everything shifted in early 2020, when the pandemic brought a global pause. The two ended up in lockdown together in Melbourne, and there, their relationship found new ground.

“At the beginning of the pandemic last year, I got locked down in Melbourne with one of my best mates and we fell in love,” she shared in an interview with Vogue Australia.

Snook later revealed they married in secret during that period.

Dave Lawson: The accidental children's TV host who became a familiar face on nickelodeon

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Opening Night Gala - Arrivals - Source: Getty
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Opening Night Gala - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Dave Lawson didn’t exactly plan to become a children’s TV personality. In fact, his early steps into the spotlight came thanks to a friend’s mother who worked as a casting agent. During his college years, she helped him score commercials for brands like Dr. Pepper and Kmart small gigs that eventually led to something bigger.

As Dave Lawson explained on the Funny in Failure podcast, those early appearances paved the way for a call from Nickelodeon Australia. The network tapped him to host Saturday Nick Television, launching a multi year run with the channel. During that time, Dave Lawson became a familiar face on shows like Sarvo and Camp Orange, and even helmed the Australian Kids' Choice Awards.

"I never set out to be a kid show host. That was never on the cards, But then, you know, you get through one audition, then you get to another and then you start getting excited and go, 'I actually really want to do this now.” Lawson shared.

Eventually, though, Lawson felt it was time to move on. “After I stopped enjoying the slime,” he said, he pivoted to acting. Since then, he’s built a résumé that includes roles in Wentworth, Blue Heelers, and The Crew’s Ship, as well as voice work in Peter Rabbit and its sequel Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway.

Sarah Snook shines at Tony awards, recognizes husband Dave Lawson for his unwavering support:

Sarah Snook made her mark at this year’s Tony Awards, winning Best Leading Actress in a Play for her acclaimed role in The Picture of Dorian Gray. The June 8 ceremony marked a career milestone, but Snook used the moment to shine a light on those behind the scenes of her success.

After recognizing director Williams as “incredible,” Snook thanked her husband, comedian Dave Lawson. The actress expressed her appreciation for the way Dave Lawson stepped up to care for their young daughter during the production. The couple had their first child in 2023.

"An exceptional thank you to my husband, my soulmate. You are so brilliant holding the fort down and keeping our family together," she shared.

When Sarah Snook earned her first Emmy nomination in 2020 for her role as Siobhan Roy in Succession, the world was in lockdown. There was no red carpet, no ceremony, just the reality of a global pandemic. But that didn’t stop Dave Lawson, from celebrating the milestone. In a sweet gesture, he fashioned an Emmy replica out of tinfoil. Snook posted it to her Instagram Stories, quipping that she felt like crushing it after her loss, but “didn’t want to ruin your artistry.”

Four years later, Lawson no longer had to improvise. Snook finally took home the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

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Edited by Zainab Shaikh