About Shane

Shane Jacobson is one of the busiest actors and presenters in Australia.

Best known for his work in film, television and theatre, he's also a song and dance man, author, screen writer, creative director, producer, executive producer, motorsport enthusiast, father of four and an ambassador for many worthy organisations and charities.

• Shane's short biography

  Shane Jacobson is one of Australia’s most loved, award-winning actors, presenters and entertainers.  His incredible and varied career spans over 40 years both here at home and internationally.

  The successful film Kenny (2006) brought Shane world-wide recognition as well as an AFI Award for best lead actor.  Shane’s subsequent credits include Cactus (2008) with BRYAN BROWN, Charlie & Boots (2009) with PAUL HOGAN, the animated Santa’s Apprentice (2010) with DELTA GOODREM, Surviving Georgia (2011) with HOLLY VALANCE and PIA MIRANDA, Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Legacy (2012) with JEREMY RENNER, EDWARD NORTON and Academy Award winner RACHEL WEISZ, the hugely popular Oddball (2015) with SARAH SNOOK and DEBORAH MAILMAN, The Dressmaker (2015) with KATE WINSLET, JUDY DAVIS, LIAM HEMSWORTH and HUGO WEAVING and, more recently, The BBQ (2018) with MAGDA SZUBANSKI, That’s Not My Dog! (2018), Guardians of the Tomb (2018) wth KELSEY GRAMMER, Brothers’ Nest (2018) with his brother CLAYTON JACOBSON, Bruce Beresford’s Ladies in Black (2018), The Very Excellent Mr Dundee with Paul Hogan, Chevy Chase and John Cleese (2020) and Never Too Late with JAMES CROMWELL, JACKI WEAVER and JACK THOMPSON (2020). Shane has just recently finished shooting another feature film, The Deb with REBEL WILSON.

  As a TV host, presenter and actor, Shane’s appearances have been numerous and varied. Some of his shows have included hosting and presenting at the Australian Film Institute Awards (2010), Top Gear Australia (2010, 2011), The Great Australian Bake Off (2013), The Logies (2015, 2018), Little Big Shots (2017, 2018), Australia Now & Then (2021) and Inside Central Station (2021), as well as telemovies Beaconsfield (2012), The Mystery of the Hansom Cab (2012) and Jack Irish (2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2021) with GUY PEARCE, to roles in TV series like Kenny’s World (2007), The Time of Our Lives (2012, 2014), Fat Tony & Co (2014), Open Slather (2015), The Real Full Monty (2018), The All New Monty (2019), Australia’s Got Talent (2019), AACTA Awards host (2019, 2020), The All New Monty: Guys & Gals (2020) and Australia Now & Then host (2021).

  Shane’s stage career has been just as successful.  On stage, he has received a Helpmann Award for Best Male in a Supporting Role for ‘Nicely Nicely’ in the 2008 revival of the musical Guys and Dolls.  Some of Shane’s other on-stage roles include The Drowsy Chaperone (2010) with GEOFFREY RUSH, QI Live (2011) with STEPHEN FRY, 8 The Play (2012), Shane Warne – The Musical (2013), Mother & Son (2014) with NOELINE BROWN, The Rocky Horror Show (2018) with TODD McKENNEY, Hairspray (2022-23) with TODD McKENNEY, RHONDA BURCHMORE and ROB MILLS and Midnight: The Cinderella Musical (2023) with LUCY DURACK. In mid-2024 he starred in Melbourne and Syndey seaons of Neil Simon’s award winning play The Odd Couple with TODD MCKENNEY.

  As an author, Shane has penned his best-selling bio The Long Road to Overnight Success and most recently his exploration of his life as a motoring tragic in his second book, Rev Head.

  Shane also is a passionate producer of film, television and events, having recently produced The West Gate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories documentary, the TV show ManSpace, That’s Not My Dog! Comedy Festival, The Roast of Paul Hogan and The Australian Roast of John Cleese.

• Shane's full biography

  Shane Jacobson is one of Australia’s most loved, award-winning actors, presenters and entertainers.  His incredible and varied career spans over 40 years both here at home and internationally.

  Performing has always been an important part of Shane’s life.  It all began in amateur theatre at the age of 10 and he hasn’t stopped since.  His quick wit and gift for characterisation cemented his early success, with gigs in stand-up comedy, as a TV audience “warm-up guy” and as radio character “Sergio” leading on to an impressive list of appearances in music videos, TV commercials and short films.

  But it was his role as the character Kenny Smyth in 2006 that brought him wide recognition both at home and internationally.  Shane won a string of awards for Kenny, including the prestigious AFI Award for Best Actor and, together with his brother and director CLAYTON JACOBSON, the 2006 IF Awards for Best Feature Film and Best Script and the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Original Screenplay.  Kenny wasn’t just a critical success – it grossed almost $8 million at the Australian box office, making it the highest grossing Australian film in three years, and also became the highest selling Australian DVD release ever.

  Kenny opened the door on Shane’s feature film career and his subsequent credits include Newcastle (2008), Cactus (2008) with BRYAN BROWN, Charlie & Boots (2009) with PAUL HOGAN, the animated Santa’s Apprentice (2010) as the voice of Santa, Surviving Georgia (2011) with PIA MIRANDA and HOLLY VALANCE, Hollywood blockbuster The Bourne Legacy (2012) with JEREMY RENNER, RACHEL WEISZ and EDWARD NORTON, the hugely popular Oddball (2015) with SARAH SNOOK, ALAN TUDYK and DEBORAH MAILMAN, the highly acclaimed The Dressmaker (2015) with KATE WINSLET, JUDY DAVIS, LIAM HEMSWORTH and HUGO WEAVING, and A Few Less Men (2017), sequel to the smash hit A Few Best Men.

  2018 saw the release of the action thriller Guardians Of The Tomb with KELLAN LUTZ, KELSEY GRAMMER and LI BINGBING and The BBQ with MAGDA SZUBANSKI, MANU FEIDEL, JULIA ZEMIRO and NICHOLAS HAMMOND, That's Not My Dog featuring PAUL HOGAN, MICHALA BANAS and STEPHEN HALL plus Brothers' Nest with CLAYTON JACOBSON, Bruce Beresford’s Ladies in Black (2018), The Very Excellent Mr Dundee with Paul Hogan, Chevy Chase and John Cleese (2020) and Never Too Late with JAMES CROMWELL, JACKI WEAVER and JACK THOMPSON (2020). Shane has just recently finished shooting another feature film, The Deb with REBEL WILSON.

  Shane’s stage career has been just as successful as his screen career.  The role of ‘Nicely Nicely’ in the 2008 revival of the musical Guys and Dolls with LISA McCUNE, IAN STENLAKE, MARINA PRIOR, GARRY McDONALD and MAGDA SZUBANSKI, earned Shane a Helpmann Award for Best Male in a Supporting Role, and he's entertained thousands of theatre goers with roles in The Drowsy Chaperone (2010) with GEOFFREY RUSH, ROBYN NEVIN and RHONDA BURCHMORE, QI Live (2011) with STEPHEN FRY, 8 The Play (2012) with RACHEL GRIFFITHS, Shane Warne – The Musical (2013) with EDDIE PERFECT and LISA McCUNE, Mother & Son (2014) with NOELINE BROWN and DARREN GILSHENAN, The Rocky Horror Show (2018) with TODD McKENNEY, Hairspray (2022-23) with TODD McKENNEY, RHONDA BURCHMORE and ROB MILLS and Midnight: The Cinderella Musical (2023) with LUCY DURACK. In mid-2024 he starred in Melbourne and Syndey seaons of Neil Simon’s award winning play The Odd Couple with TODD MCKENNEY.

  His TV appearances have been numerous and diverse.  From host and presenter of the Australian Film Institute Awards (2010), Top Gear Australia (2010, 2011), The Great Australian Bake Off (2013), The Logies (2015), Little Big Shots (2017, 2018), The Real Full Monty (2018), Australia Now & Then (2021) and Inside Central Station (2021), to starring turns in telemovies Beaconsfield (2012) with LACHY HULME, The Mystery of the Hansom Cab (2012) with JOHN WATERS and Jack Irish (2012, 2013, 2016, 2018) with GUY PEARCE and BARRY HUMPHRIES; roles in TV series like Kenny’s World (2007), The Time of Our Lives (2012, 2014), Fat Tony & Co (2014), Open Slather (2015) and Jack Irish (2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2021); appearances on reality TV shows The Real Full Monty (2018), The All New Monty (2019) and Australia’s Got Talent (2019), The All New Monty: Guys & Gals (2020), and host of the AACTA Awards (2019, 2020) and Australia Now & Then (2021).

  Shane can, and does, turn his hand to just about anything.  As an author he has penned automotive pieces for Drive and his 2014 autobiography The Long Road to Overnight Success became an instant hit and number 1 bestseller.  In 2017 he explored his life as a motoring tragic in his second book Rev Head.  He has also contributed to the funny and heart-warming compilations Dear Santa (2018), It Happened In A Holden (2014) and Your Mother Would Be Proud (2009).

  As a passionate producer he’s brought shows like Rock Soldiers (2011), Hangin’ with Hoges (2014) and West Gate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories (2020) to the screen.  He’s been seen hosting events and programs like the Australian Motoring Festival, Top Gear Live, Friday Night Crack Up, The Living Room and Manspace, for which he is also the Executive Producer.  As a singer he’s a regular guest at the annual Carols by Candlelight and fronted 2015’s sellout show A Night Out with Shane Jacobson and The Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

  More recently he has produced The West Gate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories documentary, That’s Not My Dog! Comedy Festival, The Roast of Paul Hogan and The Australian Roast of John Cleese.

  Amongst this incredible body of work Shane has always found time for people and causes close to his heart.  He is, or has been, the patron or ambassador for HeartKids Australia, Scouts Victoria, Docklands Film Studios, Australian Side by Side Racing Championships, HMAS Canberra, Get Reading, Entertainment Assist, The Mirabel Foundation, Variety and Parkinson’s Victoria.  Shane is also a brand ambassador for IGA, Sydney Water, Bridgestone, Isuzu Trucks and CFMOTO.

• Ambassadorships (A-Z of organisations and charities)

  Bridgestone

  

  An an ambassador for Bridgestone Australia, Shane loves that Bridgestone is able to draw on its rich heritage and its passion for innovation to deliver social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. Shane has been involved in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge which has seen teams achieve greatness with cutting edge solar powered vehicles making their way from Darwin to Adelaide using only the power of the sun.

  bridgestone.com.au

  CFMOTO

  

  As brand ambassador for CFMOTO, Shane samples and reports on products across the full CFMOTO gamut: motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs and – for a man who loves the thrill of high-octane action – the powerful and impossibly entertaining sports side-by-side machines.

  cfmoto.com.au

  Entertainment Assist

  

  Shane is a proud patron of Entertainment Assist. This charitable organisation was established to provide direct benevolent relief by way of support and services aimed at alleviating the poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability and helplessness of musicians, entertainers and backstage personnel in Australia.

  entertainmentassist.org.au

  Fight Parkinson's

  

  Fight Parkinson's (formerly known as Parkinson's Victoria) is a non-profit organisation, established in 1981 with the sole purpose of providing support to all those in our community who are living with Parkinson's disease. Their mission is to empower, inform and educate individuals; to help reduce the impact of the condition on their lives; and to assist people in managing symptoms and to maintain as full and as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Fight Parkinson's provides a wide range of support services to individuals, families, carers, the wider community and the health and aged care sectors. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's but together we can make a difference. Fight Parkinson's: providing help for today and hope for tomorrow.

  fightparkinsons.org.au

  HMAS Canberra

  

  Shane has been the ambassador for HMAS Canberra since it was commissioned in 2014. It is the lead ship of the Canberra-class landing helicopter dock in service with the Royal Australian Navy, and is the current flagship of the RAN fleet.
  
  

  IGA

  

  Since 2016, Shane has been a proud ambassador for IGA "Independent Grocers for Australia", an Australian chain of supermarkets. IGA itself is owned by Metcash, but individual IGA stores are independently owned. In Australia there are over 1455 stores.

  iga.com.au

  Isuzu

  

  As the brand ambassador for Isuzu, Shane been been promoting their truck range since 2016.

  isuzu.com.au

  Mildura (Tropical North Victoria)

  

  In 2024, Shane was announced as the ambassador for "Mildura, the capital of Tropical North Victoria", a campaign specifically targeting holiday makers who typically travel to Queensland, boasting that Mildura has more sunny days than the Sunshine Coast, and highlighting its exquisite dining experiences and great outdoor activities - excluding the crocodiles!

  mildura.vic.gov.au

  Mirabel Foundation

  

  Shane is the patron of The Mirabel Foundation. Established in 1998 to assist children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family (kinship care), Mirabel believes that every child deserves a childhood and its mission is to break the destructive cycle of addiction.

  mirabelfoundation.org.au

  Scouts Victoria

  

  Shane is the Chief Scout for Scouts Victoria. Scouting is a worldwide movement that has shaped the development of youth and adults for 100 years. Scouts are in every part of our community, and Scouts is the biggest and most successful youth organisation in Australia. More than 20,000 boys, girls, and adults in Victoria from wide cultural or religious background including those with an intellectual or physical disability enjoy an unlimited range of activities.

  scoutsvictoria.com.au

  Sydney Water

  

  In 2021, Sydney Water welcomed Shane as an ambassador and the new face of their water conservation campaign Turn It Off, Bob.

  sydneywater.com.au

  VACC

  

  Shane is the brand ambassador for VACC, the automotive industry peak body for Victoria and Tasmania. Its members work across all sectors, including vehicle sales, mechanical and body repair, and retail (fuel, parts, and tyres). VACC also employs 500 apprentices. As part of his ambassadorship, Shane appears on VACC’s monthly podcast, THE GRILLE.

  vacc.com.au