Scott Thompson was raised in Brampton, Ontario. He is the second oldest of four boys (the others are Craig, Derek, and Dean). At 19, Scott got involved in an educational program called Canada World Youth, and spent some time in the Phillipines. After CWY, Scott enrolled in York University, but in his third year he was asked to leave for being "disruptive". Scott joined a Toronto improv troupe called the Love Cats and while performing with them, he met Mark McKinney, who introduced him to the rest of the Kids In the Hall. He was a guest performer with the Kids in 1984, and soon after became a member.


Jokingly set fire to the Canadian flag on MTV's "Tom Green Live!" (2006) and then chanted "USA! USA!" with Green. Played over 100 waiters during the duration of "The Kids in the Hall" (1988). Was nominated for a Cable Ace Award for Best Actor in a Comedy in 1990. A survivor of the controversial, 1975 shooting at his junior high in Brampton, was partly influenced to partake acting; when interviewed by the CBC in 2007.