Shane Jacobson
Biography
Shane Jacobson is an Australian actor, director, writer, and comedian who was born on March 18, 1970, in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. He is best known as the Dunny Man for his performances as the eponymous character Kenny Smyth, a plumber working for a portable toilet rental company, in the 2006 film Kenny and the spin-off television series titled Kenny's World. For his performance in Kenny, he won the Australian Film Institute's Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2006. In 2017 and 2018, Jacobson presented Little Big Shots on the Seven Network, which was based on the American series of the same title. Later, in 2019, he became a judge on Australia's Got Talent. He has known credits in acting and is known for his work across film and television.
Career overview
Shane Jacobson is an Australian actor, director, writer, and comedian born on March 18, 1970, in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. He is best known as the Dunny Man for his performances as the eponymous character Kenny Smyth, a plumber working for a portable toilet rental company, in the 2006 film Kenny and the spin-off television series Kennys World. For his performance in Kenny, he won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2006.
In addition to his film and television acting work, Jacobson has hosted and judged television programs. In 2017 and 2018, he presented Little Big Shots on the Seven Network, which was based on the American series of the same title. Later, in 2019, he became a judge on Australias Got Talent. Throughout his career, he has accumulated numerous known credits in acting and is associated with various other productions such as Time of Our Lives, Jack Irish, and Its a Date.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
80 titles- The Deb (2026) as Rick
- How to Talk Australians: The Movie (2026) as Cleaner
- Ooops! I Bought A Pub (2026)
- Oops I Bought a Pub (2026) as Shane Jacobson
- Oops I Bought a Pub (2026) Creator
- The Roast of John Cleese (2024) as Self - Host
- The Roast of John Cleese (2024) Writer
- The Roast of John Cleese (2024) Executive Producer
- Taskmaster Australia (2023) as Self
- Ford v Holden (2023)
- The Roast of Paul Hogan (2022) as Self - Roast Master
- The Roast of Paul Hogan (2022) Executive Producer
- Mates on a Mission (2022) as Self
- Thomas and Friends: The Super Engine (2021) as Shane (voice)
- Inside Central Station (2021) as Narrator
- Australia: Now and Then (2021) as Himself - Presenter
- The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020) as Neville Dundee
- Never Too Late (2020) as Bruce Wendell
- Thomas & Friends: Steam Team to the Rescue (2020) as Shane (voice)
- Westgate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories (2020) as Narrator
- Westgate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories (2020) Director
- Westgate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories (2020) Executive Producer
- Thomas & Friends: Digs & Discoveries (2019) as Shane (voice) (uncredited)
- The Show Must Go On (2019) as Self
- Thomas & Friends: Monkey Trouble! (2019) as Shane (voice)
- 7 Guardians of the Tomb (2018) as Gary
- Ladies in Black (2018) as Mr. Miles
- The BBQ (2018) as Dazza
- Thomas & Friends: Here Comes the Steam Team! (2018) as Shane (voice)
- Brothers' Nest (2018) as Terry
- Brothers' Nest (2018) Writer
- Brothers' Nest (2018) Executive Producer
- That’s Not My Dog! (2018) as Shane
- That’s Not My Dog! (2018) Producer
- That’s Not My Dog! (2018) Writer
- A Few Less Men (2017) as Mungus
- Little Big Shots (2017) as Himself - Host
- Jack Irish (2016) as Barry Tregear
- Goober (2016) as Dad (voice)
- The Dressmaker (2015) as Alvin Pratt
- Oddball (2015) as Swampy Marsh
- Open Slather (2015)
- Open Slather (2015) Writer
- Stop Laughing... this is serious (2015) as Self
- Fat Tony & Co (2014) as Jim O'Brien
- Jack Irish: Dead Point (2014) as Barry Tregear
- Go Fish (2014) as Russell
- The Apprentice (2014) as Bob
- Hanging with Hoges (2014) as Himself - Host
- Hanging with Hoges (2014) Producer
- Hanging with Hoges (2014) Writer
- The Great Australian Bake Off (2013) as Himself - Host
- Julia Zemiro's Home Delivery (2013) as Self
- The Time of Our Lives (2013) as Luce Tivolli
- It's a Date (2013) as Hugo
- The Agony of Life (2013) as Self
- Top Gear Festival: Sydney (2013) as Self - Presenter
- The Bourne Legacy (2012) as Mackie
- Jack Irish: Bad Debts (2012) as Barry Tregear
- Jack Irish: Black Tide (2012) as Harry Tregear
- Beaconsfield (2012) as Brant Webb
- The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (2012) as Detective Samuel Gorby
- Surviving Georgia (2011) as Johnnie
- Charlie & Boots (2009) as Boots McFarland
- Top Gear Australia (2008) as Self - Host
- Newcastle (2008) as Reggie
- Cactus (2008) as Thommo
- Australia's Got Talent (2007) as Self - Judge
- Australia's Got Talent (2007) as Himself
- Thank God You're Here (2006) as Self - Guest Judge
- Kenny (2006) as Kenny Smyth
- Kenny (2006) Writer
- Kenny (2006) Co-Producer
- Spicks and Specks (2005) as Self
- Top Gear (2002) as Self
- Tanaka (2002) as Shane
- Narcosys (2000) as Voice of Clones / Voice of Police / Bouncer
- Australian Story (1996) as Himself
- Tarzan's South Yarra Adventure (1984)
- AACTA Awards (1976) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Shane Jacobson best known for?
Shane Jacobson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including How to Talk Australians: The Movie (2026), Taskmaster (2023), The Dressmaker (2015), The Great Australian Bake Off (2013).
When and where was Shane Jacobson born?
Shane Jacobson was born on March 18, 1970 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia.
How many credits does Shane Jacobson have?
Shane Jacobson has accumulated over 80 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1976 to 2026.
What is Shane Jacobson's background in cinema and television?
Shane Jacobson is an Australian actor, director, writer, and comedian who was born on March 18, 1970, in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. He is best known as the Dunny Man for his performances as the eponymous character Kenny Smyth, a plumber working for a portable toilet rental company, in the 2006 film Kenny and the sp...
Shane Jacobson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Top Gear (2002) as Self — aged about 32
- Spicks and Specks (2005) as Self — aged about 35
- The Dressmaker (2015) as Alvin Pratt — aged about 45
- Taskmaster Australia (2023) as Self — aged about 53
- The Great Australian Bake Off (2013) as Himself - Host — aged about 43
- The Bourne Legacy (2012) as Mackie — aged about 42
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