Sammy J is an Australian comedian, author, composer and broadcaster. He’s performed around the world, had a sitcom on Netflix, is one half of the man/puppet comedy duo ‘Sammy J & Randy’, hosted the ABC Radio Melbourne breakfast show and created viral satirical sketches and songs on politics, parenting, and everything in between.
After dropping out of his law degree, Sammy J won the Best Newcomer award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. His albums have received four ARIA nominations for Best Comedy Release, and he gained a national following with his satirical series Playground Politics. His solo show, hero Complex, won Best Comedy at the Melbourne Fringe Festival and a Helpmann Award nomination. His weekly satirical sketches on the ABC ran for five years with millions of views online and an AACTA nomination for Best Comedy Program.
His most recent live tours include The Kangaroo Effect, Good Hustle and Symphony in J Minor, which as recorded for a Paramount+ live special at the Malthouse Theatre.
Collaborating with Heath McIvor, Sammy J & Randy received the Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show at the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Their acclaimed live shows have taken them from the Sydney Opera House to London’s West End and multiple Montreal comedy galas. Their musical sitcom, Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane, premiered on ABC TV in 2015 before launching in the USA & Netflix UK, and was nominated for three AACTA awards.
As a composer, Sammy J has written songs for stage and screen and scored the original soundtrack for Ricketts Lane and Sammy J’s Playground Politics. His song ‘Pink Clouds’ was arranged and performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and his country music album Buster J: Cross Country succeeded in utterly baffling the entire population of Nashville, who have banned him from ever visiting again.
Away from the comedy world, Sammy J’s MC skills have seen him host award shows, interview politicians, and inject much-needed humour into corporate events. He regularly runs workshops in schools, narrates educational content, and his debut middle-grade novel The Long Class Goodnight was published by Hardie Grant in 2023.
Sammy J is a proud Ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Oxfam, and has travelled to South Africa and PNG to witness their work firsthand. In 2023 he broadcast live on radio for twenty-four hours straight to help raise money for
SecondBite.
Still, Sammy’s biggest project remains unfinished. In 2008, he started The 50 Year Show, a comedy spectacular that will run every five years until 2058. The show continues in 2028.
Testimonials
Sammy is able to confidently take on a brief and deliver it exceptionally with humour, charm and enthusiasm. His manner is warm, engaging and funny and each time our audiences have thoroughly enjoyed Sammy’s performance. Sammy is an outstanding talent with an ability to perform as an MC, comedian, musician or storyteller.
Sammy J is an absolute pleasure to work with. He has a truly wonderful sense of humour and is a consummate professional. He is so popular with our audience and team, that we have booked him for a third year in a row. His ability to roll with whatever happens on the night means the event runs seamlessly, making our job so much easier, and our event a success every time. Sammy J is one MC we love to work with.
What a performer and all round entertainer! Sammy J’s unique and individualised song for our graduating ceremony was the highlight for all involved. I can’t think of another performer who could have pulled it off the way Sammy did.
Sammy J was great. He was easy to work with, he connected well with the residents and they all loved him! We will definitely be booking him again next year!