Sammy J is an Australian comedian, writer, composer, and broadcaster. He's played in Edinburgh, Montreal and London, had a sitcom on Netflix, is one half of the man/puppet comedy duo "Sammy J & Randy" and currently hosts the breakfast show on ABC Radio Melbourne.
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.
Collaborating with Heath McIvor, "Sammy J & Randy" received the Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show at the 2010 Melbourne 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".
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 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.
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 Melbourne in 2028.
"What a performer and all round entertainer! Sammy’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."
Alex Webster, Network Development Manager, Porsche Cars Australia.
"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."
Jodie Pryor, Events Project Coordinator, FMA.
"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."
Tammy Ryan, Coordinator Programming Arts & Culture Frankston Arts Centre.
"The man is a genius." ★★★★★
The Age
"A hilarious and unforgettable tale." ★★★★★
BEAT MAGAZINE
"One truly spectacular hour of comedy”
CHORTLE
"A beautiful show from an endlessly creative talent"
TIME OUT (LONDON)
“Sammy J is witty, talented, and possessed of incredible timing and memory.”
THE AGE
"Sammy J's narratives are rich in imagery and wordplay, and his command of language and cadence is superb"
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
"Whiplash smart and laugh out loud funny, he is already a Fringe legend"
THE HERALD (EDINBURGH)
“Gleefully raucous, meticulously crazy, charmingly revolting, achingly funny”
BEAT MAGAZINE
"‘He wraps the satirical centre of his songs in a deliciously saccharine shell and performs them with gusto"
THE AGE
"You’ll be lucky if you see anything funnier..."
THEATRE REVIEW
SAMMY J - SYMPHONY IN J MINOR - MICF 2022
SAMMY J SYMPHONY IN J MINOR
SAMMY J SYMPHONY IN J MINOR
SAMMY J'S MAJOR PARTY - BRISBANE
SAMMY J'S MAJOR PARTY- PERTH
SAMMY J'S MAJOR PARTY - ADELAIDE
SAMMY J'S MAJOR PARTY - MELBOURNE
Hero Complex - MICF
SIDE SPLITTER COMEDY & ARTS FESTIVAL - SAMMY J: HERO COMPLEX
MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL SAMMY J: HERO COMPLEX
THE SAMMY J SONGBOOK - PERTH FRINGE WORLD
LAUGH YOUR PANTS OFF - JUPITERS HOTEL & CASINO GOLD COAST
ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL
BRISBANE COMEDY FESTIVAL
SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL
FALLS FESTIVAL
WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL
MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL
JAKARTA FRINGE FESTIVAL
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE
BARRY AWARD - MICF 2017
HELPMANN BEST COMEDY PERFORMER 2017
BEST COMEDY SHOW WEEKLY WINNER - ADELAIDE FRINGE 2017
COMEDY SERIES PRODUCTION SAMMY J AND RANDY IN RICKETTS LANE - SCREEN PRODUCERS AUSTRALIA AWARDS 2016
BEST COMEDY AWARD - MELBOURNE FRINGE 2016
ARIA BEST COMEDY RELEASE 2015 (WITH RANDY)
BEST TELEVISION COMEDY SHOW - AACTA 2015
AWGIE AWARD FOR BEST SKETCH OR LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT WRITING - WEDNESDAY NIGHT FEVER ABC TV 2014
BEST COMEDY RELEASE - ARIA 2013 (WITH RANDY)
BEST COMEDY - ADELAIDE FRINGE 2013
SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARD - JAKARTA FRINGE FESTIVAL 2012
BEST COMEDY RELEASE - ARIA 2012
BARRY AWARD MOST OUTSTANDING SHOW - MICF 2010 (WITH RANDY)
THE AGE CRITICS' AWARD - MICF 2008 (WITH RANDY)
BARRY AWARD MOST OUTSTANDING SHOW - MICF 2008 (WITH RANDY)
MOST OUTSTANDING COMEDY SHOW - ADELAIDE FRINGE 2008 (WITH RANDY)
BRIAN MCCARTHY MOOSEHEAD AWARD - MICF 2008 (WITH RANDY)
BEST EMERGING CABARET ARTIST - GREEN ROOM AWARDS 2007
UNDER OUR WING AWARD - BUTTERFLY CLUB 2006
BEST NEWCOMER - MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2006
GROGGY SQUIRREL SUBSCRIBER'S CHOICE AWARD - MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2006