Tom Sainsbury

{{Short description|New Zealand comedian, actor and writer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Tom Sainsbury | image = T Sainsbury 058A6977 8x10v2.jpg | caption = Sainsbury in 2023 | birth_name = Thomas Sainsbury | birth_date = | birth_place = Matamata, New Zealand | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|director||writer}} | years_active = 2005–present | module = {{Infobox comedian|embed=yes | medium = {{flatlist| * Stand-up * film * television * theatre * books}} | genre = {{flatlist| * Observational comedy * satire * black comedy * political satire * self-deprecation * cringe comedy * deadpan }} }} }}

'''Thomas Sainsbury''' is a New Zealand actor, writer, comedian, and filmmaker. He began his career in theatre as an actor and playwright, before gaining widespread recognition in New Zealand from 2017 for his short-form comedy videos released on social media.

As a screenwriter and performer, Sainsbury has contributed to many local television shows, including ''Wellington Paranormal,'' and feature films ''Pork Pie'' and ''Loop Track''. With Madeline Sami he co-wrote ''Super City'', which won the SWANZ Scriptwriters Best Comedy Script Award in 2011.

His 2023 podcast ''Small Town Scandal'' won Podcast of the Year and Best Comedy Podcast at the 2024 New Zealand Radio & Podcast Awards. A television version was released in 2026.

== Early life and education == Thomas Sainsbury was born in Matamata, New Zealand, and is the youngest of three children.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Dudding |first=Adam |date=25 November 2017 |title=The little voices in Thomas Sainsbury's head |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/98864070/the-little-voices-in-thomas-sainsburys-head |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010344/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/98864070/the-little-voices-in-thomas-sainsburys-head |url-status=live }}</ref> He was raised on a dairy farm and attended Matamata College.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web | title=Tom Sainsbury |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/tom-sainsbury |first =Gabe |last =McDonnell |date =30 April 2024 |website=NZ On Screen |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Thomas Sainsbury |url=https://www.verbwellington.nz/thomas-sainsbury |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=Verb Wellington |language=en-NZ |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010346/https://www.verbwellington.nz/thomas-sainsbury |url-status=live }}</ref> Sainsbury was encouraged in acting and drama by his parents, including at age 9, accompanying them to the Matamata Operatic Society rendition of ''Little Shop of Horrors''. He was immediately inspired to write a sequel for his school assembly and thrived in the creative process of writing and performing it.<ref name=":1" />

In 2000, Sainsbury moved to Auckland to study for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Auckland and decided on English literature and theatre as his major. Throughout his studies, he wrote and produced plays in Auckland theatres including Silo Theatre and The Basement Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thomas Sainsbury – The University of Auckland |url=https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/alumni/our-alumni/40-under-40/a-z-list-of-profiles/thomas-sainsbury.html |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=www.auckland.ac.nz |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010346/https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/alumni/our-alumni/40-under-40/a-z-list-of-profiles/thomas-sainsbury.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sills |first=Ethan |date=13 October 2018 |title=Underground theatre shines through decade of disruption |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-basement-the-little-theatre-that-could/6HJ57L7F73LQGANQG6A3WKPN6E/ |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506014008/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-basement-the-little-theatre-that-could/6HJ57L7F73LQGANQG6A3WKPN6E/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Theatre === Sainsbury established himself as a playwright in New Zealand, producing over 50 plays. Notable theatre works include ''And Then You Die,'' ''The Christmas Monologues'', ''The Mall, Loser'', ''A Simple Procedure'', and ''Sunday Roast.'' Several of these plays have been performed internationally.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Thomas Sainsbury |url=https://www.playmarket.org.nz/playwrights/thomas-sainsbury/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=www.playmarket.org.nz |language=en-US |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010357/https://www.playmarket.org.nz/playwrights/thomas-sainsbury/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Sainsbury |url=https://www.comedy.co.nz/comedians/profiles/tom-sainsbury/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=www.comedy.co.nz |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010353/https://www.comedy.co.nz/comedians/profiles/tom-sainsbury/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

He has also written, co-written, and performed in numerous live comedy theatre productions, including ''The Opening Night Before Christmas'', ''Infectious'', ''Camping'', ''D.O.C.ing'', ''Giggly Gerties'', ''Dynamotion'', ''Gays in Space'' and ''Hauraki Horror''. These productions frequently featured collaborations with other New Zealand comedians, including Kura Forrester, Brynley Stent and Chris Parker''.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sills |first=Ethan |date=10 December 2016 |title=Rising playwright Thomas Sainsbury wants to have a word with Peter Jackson |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/rising-playwright-thomas-sainsbury-wants-to-have-a-word-with-peter-jackson/VPLPUCWKQJSSOSXDBINK7ZJM2Q/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604225039/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/rising-playwright-thomas-sainsbury-wants-to-have-a-word-with-peter-jackson/VPLPUCWKQJSSOSXDBINK7ZJM2Q/ |archive-date=4 June 2023 |access-date=4 June 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Thomas Sainsbury |url=http://www.theatrescenes.co.nz/tag/thomas-sainsbury/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604225039/http://www.theatrescenes.co.nz/tag/thomas-sainsbury/ |archive-date=4 June 2023 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Theatre Scenes: Aotearoa New Zealand Theatre |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Casey |first=Alex |date=2016-12-20 |title=A merry Christmas chat with comedy legends Tom Sainsbury and Chris Parker |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/20-12-2016/a-merry-christmas-chat-with-comedy-legends-tom-sainsbury-and-chris-parker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605011409/https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/20-12-2016/a-merry-christmas-chat-with-comedy-legends-tom-sainsbury-and-chris-parker |archive-date=5 June 2023 |access-date=2023-06-05 |work=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref>

Sainsbury is a four-time winner of the Playmarket Young Playwright of the Year. He has also been a three-time finalist for the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award. His play ''The Canary'' won the Playmarket 2010 Special Prize for an Auckland Playwright.<ref name=":2" />

=== Film and television === In 2010, Sainsbury and Madeline Sami co-wrote ''Super City'', a TV comedy series set in Auckland, New Zealand. It won the 2011 SWANZ Best Comedy Script award and was optioned by American network ABC in 2012.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

Sainsbury has written and collaborated on many New Zealand web series and comedy shows, including International Emmy Awards winner ''INSiDE''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=TV Award wins for Barbara Dreaver, Jack Tame, Te Karere, The Panthers |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/11/25/tv-award-wins-for-barbara-dreaver-jack-tame-te-karere/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=1 News |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010353/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/11/25/tv-award-wins-for-barbara-dreaver-jack-tame-te-karere/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

As an actor, he has appeared in ''Shortland Street'' as Jason Kirkpatrick and in TV comedy series including ''Educators'', ''Under the Vines, Sweet Tooth,'' and ''Wellington Paranormal''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="The Rule of Jenny Pen">{{cite web |title=The Rule of Jenny Pen |url=https://www.flicks.co.nz/movie/the-rule-of-jenny-pen/ |access-date=23 October 2024 |website=Flicks.co.nz}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Thomas Tom Sainsbury {{!}} Auckland Actors |url=https://www.aucklandactors.co.nz/actors/details/tom-sainsbury |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=www.aucklandactors.co.nz}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Thomas Sainsbury |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2769614/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511225228/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2769614/ |archive-date=11 May 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, Sainsbury co-wrote and starred in the horror comedy feature film ''Dead''.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Dead - Film (trailer) - 2020 |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/dead-2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314201748/https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/dead-2020 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=NZ On Screen |language=en}}</ref> He also appeared in ''Pork Pie''. In 2023, he wrote, directed and starred in the horror film ''Loop Track. <ref name=":0" />'' In 2024, he appeared in ''The Rule of Jenny Pen''.<ref name="The Rule of Jenny Pen" />

He created and starred in ''Small Town Scandal,'' a television comedy programme based on his podcast of the same name, broadcast in 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Sarah |title=Small Town Scandal: Tom Sainsbury's latest TV comedy |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/360945060/small-town-scandal-tom-sainsburys-latest-tv-comedy |access-date=12 February 2026 |work=The Post |date=9 February 2026}}</ref>

=== Comedian === Sainsbury has worked as a comedian in New Zealand since 2014..<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=4 December 2022 |title=Comedy's Mr Nice Guy Tom Sainsbury on hope and compassion |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/comedy-star-tom-sainsbury-im-tamer-than-some-of-my-contemporaries-when-it-comes-to-comedy-i-dont-want-a-bad-reaction-from-people/AHQ3JACCJBCFTIRAC3PT6ORVLU/ |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507231731/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/comedy-star-tom-sainsbury-im-tamer-than-some-of-my-contemporaries-when-it-comes-to-comedy-i-dont-want-a-bad-reaction-from-people/AHQ3JACCJBCFTIRAC3PT6ORVLU/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 2017, Sainsbury gained widespread recognition for short-form comedy videos released on social media, which combined character comedy with satire of New Zealand culture and public figures. His most viewed videos from this period featured impersonations of politicians, including Paula Bennett, Simon Bridges and Jacinda Ardern.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=20 December 2022 |title=Comedian Tom Sainsbury on Snapchat content and TV projects |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/tom-sainsbury-comedian-on-his-snapchat-content-and-tv-projects/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509094728/https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/tom-sainsbury-comedian-on-his-snapchat-content-and-tv-projects/ |archive-date=9 May 2023 |access-date=9 May 2023 |work=Newstalk ZB |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Olds |first=Jeremy |date=17 August 2017 |title=Thomas Sainsbury's Snapchat impersonations have politicians talking |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/95885474/thomas-sainsburys-snapchat-impersonations-have-politicians-talking |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010354/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/95885474/thomas-sainsburys-snapchat-impersonations-have-politicians-talking |archive-date=6 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=reporters |first=Auckland |date=13 January 2020 |title=Here's why Paula Bennett is grateful for Tom Sainsbury |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118762500/heres-why-paula-bennett-is-grateful-for-tom-sainsbury |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010347/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118762500/heres-why-paula-bennett-is-grateful-for-tom-sainsbury |archive-date=6 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> These performances often made use of wigs, costumes, and Snapchat face-manipulation filters. While political impersonation formed a notable part of his early online output, Sainsbury later shifted focus toward broader character-based and narrative comedy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Tom Sainsbury stopped parodying politicians |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/will-the-real-tom-sainsbury-please-stand-up-ask-me-anything-with-paula-bennett/ALBTUWKLBVBRZO5GLPG75ARWY4/ |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

His social media work earned widespread recognition, including being named the ''New Zealand Herald's'' Entertainment Hero of the Year in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 December 2020 |title=Top five Kiwi entertainment heroes of 2020 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/top-five-kiwi-entertainment-heroes-of-2020/JIMZEUONVE27JMXKPIQNHVGVHE/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010344/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/top-five-kiwi-entertainment-heroes-of-2020/JIMZEUONVE27JMXKPIQNHVGVHE/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, he released a non-fiction book called ''New Zealanders: A Field Guide,'' which expanded on characters developed in his online comedy and offered satirical descriptions of familiar New Zealand archetypes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Zealanders – Tom Sainsbury – Paperback |url=https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9781775541684/new-zealanders |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507230235/https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9781775541684/new-zealanders/ |archive-date=7 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=Harper Collins New Zealand |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Zealanders – Tom Sainsbury – eBook |url=https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9781775491996/new-zealanders |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010351/https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9781775491996/new-zealanders/ |archive-date=6 May 2023 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Harper Collins New Zealand |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

As a comedy personality, he has appeared on numerous New Zealand comedy panel shows and entertainment programmes including ''Jono and Ben'', ''7 Days'', ''Have You Been Paying Attention?, The Masked Singer, Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee,'' and ''Taskmaster New Zealand.'' In 2021 and 2022, he appeared as a regular team captain on TVNZ's revival of ''Give Us a Clue'' and co-hosted the competitive cooking series ''Snack Masters.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="The Rule of Jenny Pen" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9" />''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harvey |first=Kerry |date=6 April 2022 |title=Cracking the snack code with Snack Masters NZ |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/128267966/cracking-the-snack-code-with-snack-masters-nz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010353/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/128267966/cracking-the-snack-code-with-snack-masters-nz |archive-date=6 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Parkes |first=Melenie |date=28 July 2021 |title=Clueless? Not us says trio behind Give Us A Clue |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/125887944/clueless-not-us-says-trio-behind-give-us-a-clue |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010346/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/125887944/clueless-not-us-says-trio-behind-give-us-a-clue |archive-date=6 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, he received the Rielly Comedy Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for his contribution to New Zealand entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ponsonby News - New Zealand |url=https://ponsonbynews.co.nz/article-detail/show/3950/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=ponsonbynews.co.nz |language=en-GB}}</ref> That year, he also released the fictional comedy murder-mystery podcast series ''Small Town Scandal'' that was produced and distributed by New Zealand Media and Entertainment.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Simich |first=Ricardo |date=26 March 2023 |title=Tom Sainsbury plays 30 characters in new podcast |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/spy-tom-sainsbury-a-man-of-30-characters/QLR37Y3YFFFKRMR2O55ADPEUSI/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506011852/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/spy-tom-sainsbury-a-man-of-30-characters/QLR37Y3YFFFKRMR2O55ADPEUSI/ |archive-date=6 May 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Sainsbury's Small Town Scandal |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-tom-sainsburys-small-town-111005685/ |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=iHeart |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506010353/https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-tom-sainsburys-small-town-111005685/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the series won both ‘Podcast of the Year’ and ‘Best Comedy Podcast’ at the New Zealand Radio & Podcast Awards, and was subsequently announced for television adaptation.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=NZME. - NZME celebrating huge award haul at 2024 NZ Radio and Podcast Awards |url=https://www.nzme.co.nz/news/nzme-celebrating-huge-award-haul-at-2024-nz-radio-and-podcast-awards/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=www.nzme.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldbart |first=Max |date=2025-09-23 |title=Rose Matafeo & Felicity Kendal Cast In Sky’s ‘Small Town Scandal’ Series |url=https://deadline.com/2025/09/small-town-scandal-rose-matafeo-felicity-kendal-sky-show-1236552429/ |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Personal life == Sainsbury is openly gay. In interviews, he has spoken about his coming out and his experiences prior to publicly identifying as gay. He has also discussed his role as a sperm donor for a lesbian couple, describing his relationship with their children as similar to that of an uncle.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Slaughter |first=Matthew |date=2023-12-18 |title=The 'embarrassing' part of coming out for Tom Sainsbury |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/301005017/the-embarrassing-part-of-coming-out-for-tom-sainsbury |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Stuff}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Oliver |date=2023-04-13 |title=Tom Sainsbury is 'Loud & Queer' |url=https://gayexpress.co.nz/2023/04/tom-sainsbury-is-loud-queer/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Your Ex |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Awards == * Playmarket Young Playwright of the Year – Four-time winner (2001), (2003), (2005) and (2007)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Live |first=Auckland |title=PLAYWRIGHTS B4 25 |url=https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/playwrights-b4-25 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Auckland Live |language=en}}</ref> * Bruce Mason Playwriting Award – Two-time Nominee (2008) and (2009)<ref>{{Cite web |title=LOSER, by Thomas Sainsbury, is the latest publication from The Play Press. With a cast that can expand up to 37, or shrink to 3m and 3w, doubling, it is available from Playmarket ( info@playmarket.org.nz ) or direct from The Play Press, which offers a discount for rehearsal or study sets. Please ask, or check www.playpress.co.nz for all other details. |url=https://www.theatreview.org.nz/2010/02/26/loser-by-thomas-sainsbury-is-the-latest-publication-from-the-play-press-with-a-cast-that-can-expand-up-to-37-or-shrink-to-3m-and-3w-doubling-it-is-available-from-playmarket-infoplaymarket/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Theatreview |language=en-NZ}}</ref> * Aotearoa Film and Television Awards (2011) – Nominated for Best Script – Drama/Comedy (with Madeleine Sami): for ''Super City''<ref name=":0" /> * SWANZ Scriptwriters Awards (NZ Writers Guild) (2011) – Best Comedy Script (with Madeleine Sami)'':'' for ''Super City'', episode three<ref name=":0" /> * Aotearoa Filmmaking Competition (48Hours) – Two-time National Winner (2016) and (2018)<ref name=":0" /> * Billy T Award, New Zealand Comedy Trust (2019) – Nominee<ref name=":0" /> * New Zealand Herald's Entertainment Hero of the Year (2020)<ref name=":0" /> * International Emmy (2021) for Best Short-Form Series for ''INSiDE'' (and was the only Australasian nominee of the awards)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=INSiDE {{!}} Series {{!}} Television |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/inside-2020/series |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=NZ On Screen |language=en-NZ |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528071213/https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/inside-2020/series |url-status=live }}</ref> * Aotearoa Film and Television Awards (2022) Best Comedy Script: for ''Wellington Paranormal'', series four, Episode four<ref name=":0" /> * Rielly Comedy Award, Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, 2023 * New Zealand Podcast Award (2023) – Best Fiction Podcast for ''Small Town Scandal''<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Zealand Podcast Awards 2023 |url=https://www.nzpodcastawards.com/2023winners |access-date=8 December 2023 |website=NZ Podcast Awards |language=en-NZ}}</ref> * New Zealand Radio & Podcast Awards (2024) – Podcast of the Year and Best Comedy Podcast for ''Small Town Scandal<ref name=":6" />''

== Filmography == '''<big>Television</big>''' {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role |- |2011 |''Super City'' |Writer, Casting, Actor, Executive Producer |- |2015–17 |''Jono & Ben'' |Various – Sketch Comedy |- |2016 |''Filthy Rich'' |Actor – season II, 'Dylan Mayberry' |- |2017 |''True Story with Hamish and Andy'' |Actor – 'Sam' |- |2017–18 |''Shortland Street'' |Actor – 'Jason Kirkpatrick' |- |2018–22 |''Wellington Paranormal'' |Writer, Actor – season I – IV, 'Constable Parker' (recurring) |- | rowspan="2" |2019 |''The Bad Seed'' |Actor – 'Political Panelist' |- |''Golden Boy'' |Actor – season I, 'Groundskeeper' (recurring) |- |2019–22 |''Educators'' |Actor – season I – III, 'Rudy Beard' (core cast) |- |2019–22 |''Have You Been Paying Attention?'' |Self – Panelist (regular) |- |2021–22 |''7 Days'' |Self – Panelist and Team Captain |- | rowspan="2" |2021 |''My Life Is Murder'' |Actor – season I, 'Brett' |- |''The Masked Singer'' |Self |- |2021–22 |''Give Us a Clue'' |Self – season I & II, Team Captain |- | rowspan="2" |2022 |''Snack Masters'' |Self – host |- |''The Love Hour'' |Self – host |- | rowspan="3" |2023 |''Sweet Tooth'' |Actor – 'Dudley' |- |''Double Parked'' |Actor – 'Ambo Officer' |- |''Under the Vines'' |Actor – 'Jeremy' |- | rowspan="3" |2024 |''Taskmaster NZ'' |Self |- |''Spinal Destination'' |Writer, Actor – 'Dan' |- |''Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee'' | Self |- |2025 |''Warren's Vortex'' | Writer |-

|} '''<big>Film</big>''' {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role |- | rowspan="2" |2016 |''Pork Pie'' |Actor – 'Bongo' |- |''Waru'' |Actor – 'Jason' |- |2017 |''The Breaker Upperers'' |Actor – 'Man 1' |- | rowspan="2" |2020 |''Dead'' |Writer, Actor – 'Dane 'Marbles' Marbeck' (lead role) |- |''Guns Akimbo'' |Actor – 'Singstar Dude' |- |2020 |''Baby Done'' |Actor – 'Stupid Man' |- |2021 |''Nude Tuesday'' |Actor – 'Commuter' |- |2023 |''Loop Track'' |Director, Writer, Casting, Actor – 'Ian' |- |2024 |''The Rule of Jenny Pen'' |Actor – 'Carer Mike' |}

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.nzonscreen.com/interviews/tom-sainsbury Interview with Tom Sainsbury] at NZ On Screen * [https://www.playmarket.org.nz/playwrights/thomas-sainsbury/ Tom Sainsbury theatre] at Playmarket

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sainsbury, Tom}} Category:New Zealand male film actors Category:New Zealand male comedians Category:New Zealand film directors Category:New Zealand television presenters Category:People from Matamata Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:People educated at Matamata College Category:University of Auckland alumni Category:21st-century New Zealand comedians Category:New Zealand sketch comedians Category:New Zealand LGBTQ comedians Category:New Zealand podcasters