Hannah Gadsby
Born 1978 · Age 47
Australian comedian, writer, author and actor known for the stand-up special Nanette (2017/2018) and later specials Douglas (2020) and Something Special (2023); outspoken on trauma, queer identity and neurodiversity.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Burnie, Tasmania
Born at North West Regional Hospital, Burnie, Tasmania; youngest of five children, grew up in Smithton.
Started Smithton High School
Attended Smithton High School (attended 1990–1995).
Year 12 at Launceston College; nervous breakdown
Attended Launceston College in Year 12 and experienced a nervous breakdown during that year.
Began tertiary study (University of Tasmania)
Began study at the University of Tasmania (later transferred to Australian National University). Year is approximate based on timeline to 2003 graduation.
Graduated BA in Art History and Curatorship (ANU)
Completed a bachelor's degree in art history and curatorship at the Australian National University.
Worked in bookshops and other odd jobs
Worked in bookshops in Canberra, was a projectionist at an outdoor cinema in Darwin, spent two years picking vegetables and planting trees along Australia's east coast; experienced homelessness and was hospitalised with acute pancreatitis (approx. 2003–2005).
Won Raw Comedy national final
Entered Raw Comedy (national competition for new comedians) and won the national prize, launching comedy career in Australia.
So You Think You're Funny? – 2nd prize at Edinburgh Fringe
As Raw Comedy winner, attended So You Think You're Funny? at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and won second place.
First solo show wins Edinburgh Best Newcomer
Debut solo show 'Hannah Gadsby is Wrong and Broken' won the 2007 Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and toured Edinburgh and New York.
Performed 'Meat the Musical' at MICF
Performed 'Meat the Musical' with Amelia Jane Hunter at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
TV role: The Librarians (Carmel)
Appeared as Carmel in 2 episodes of 'The Librarians' (2009–2010).
Kiss Me Quick I'm Full of Jubes tour; TV appearances
Tour 'Kiss Me Quick I'm Full of Jubes' and television appearances including Rove Live and Good News Week.
The Cliff Young Shuffle; MICF Directors' Choice; Helpmann nominee
Tour 'The Cliff Young Shuffle'; won Melbourne International Comedy Festival Directors' Choice Award and was a Helpmann Award nominee for Best Comedy Performer.
Mrs Chuckles tour; Helpmann & MICF recognition
Performed the 'Mrs Chuckles' show; nominated for Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer and Melbourne Int'l Comedy Festival Barry nominee.
Joined Adam Hills Tonight (co-writer & co-star)
Co-wrote and co-starred on ABC TV's 'Adam Hills Tonight' across three seasons (Feb 2011–Jul 2013). Regular segments and on-couch contributions.
Co-wrote 'Please Like Me' (ongoing role)
Co-wrote 20 episodes of the television series 'Please Like Me' (2013–2016) and played a fictional version of themself in the show.
TV role: Underbelly: Squizzy
Played a role in the series Underbelly: Squizzy (2013 listing in filmography; included here as 2014 credit window).
Aired 'Hannah Gadsby's Oz' on ABC
Three-part documentary series 'Hannah Gadsby's Oz' aired on ABC TV; co-writer and presenter, produced by Closer Productions.
BBC Radio 4 series 'Arts Clown'
Wrote and performed 'Hannah Gadsby: Arts Clown' for BBC Radio 4 based on comedy art shows.
Artscape documentary specials
Wrote and presented 'Hannah Gadsby Goes Domestic' (2010) and 'The NGV Story' (2011); (also hosted 'Renaissance Woman' 2015).
Tours catalogue: Donkey/Nanette era
Tour list shows a steady annual output of shows culminating in Nanette (Donkey 2016; Nanette 2017–2018).
Created and toured 'Nanette' (premiere year)
Created the show 'Nanette' — performed across festivals and venues; the show was conceived partly as a response to Australian same-sex marriage debates and personal diagnosis.
Major awards for 'Nanette' (Barry, Edinburgh, Helpmann)
Won Melbourne International Comedy Festival Barry Award, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Comedy Award (joint), Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer, and Adelaide Fringe Best Comedy Award for Nanette.
Diagnosed with autism and ADHD
Publicly revealed diagnosis of autism and ADHD, which informed later work (notably Douglas).
Announced quitting comedy within Nanette
Within the Nanette show, publicly said they were quitting (a rhetorical device central to the show's message).
Netflix released filmed version of 'Nanette'
Netflix released the film version of Nanette, bringing Gadsby international exposure and critical acclaim.
Named 'major new voice' in international press
Major publications (NYT, Washington Post, The Guardian) profiled Gadsby after Nanette's success, raising profile internationally.
Rotten Tomatoes critical acclaim for 'Nanette'
Nanette achieved a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 49 critics at time of reporting).
Presenter at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards
Presented the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Worldwide tour of 'Douglas' (many sold-out shows)
Toured Douglas across the U.S., Australia and internationally with many shows sold out in advance.
Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer (Douglas)
Won the Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performer for Douglas.
Peabody Award for Nanette
Nanette received a Peabody Award (recognition for storytelling and impact).
Guest: Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast
Featured guest on Conan O'Brien's podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' (episode aired June 2, 2019).
Previewed 'Douglas' in Adelaide
Preview performance of new show Douglas in Adelaide before touring internationally throughout 2019.
Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special (Nanette)
Awarded the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for Nanette.
Emmy nomination for Douglas (Outstanding Writing)
Douglas was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special (nominee 2020).
Voice role announcement for animated film 'Hitpig!'
Casting announcements listed Gadsby among voice actors for the animated movie 'Hitpig!' (announcement Oct 2020).
Netflix released 'Hannah Gadsby: Douglas'
Netflix released the filmed version of Douglas (2020).
Married producer Jenney Shamash
Revealed in April 2021 that they had married producer Jenney Shamash in January 2021.
Launched 'Body of Work' solo show
Started touring the solo show 'Body of Work' in July 2021 across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK; U.S. dates announced later.
Awarded Honorary Doctorate from University of Tasmania
Received an honorary Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) from the University of Tasmania in recognition of role as an ambassador for LGBTIQ+ people worldwide.
Published memoir 'Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation'
Self-penned memoir published March 2022; became a New York Times bestseller and published in 10+ languages.
Audiobook won Earphones Award
Audiobook version of 'Ten Steps to Nanette' read by Gadsby won an April 2022 Earphones Award.
Signed multi-title deal with Netflix
Announced a multi-title comedy deal with Netflix (reported September 2022).
Appeared in Netflix 'Sex Education' Season 4
Appeared as a recurring cast member in season four of Netflix's Sex Education as Celia, a radio show host (season released 2023).
Audiobook finalist for 2023 Audie Award (Narration by the Author)
Audiobook 'Ten Steps to Nanette' was a finalist for the 2023 Audie Award for Narration by the Author.
Netflix to release Body of Work special in 2023
Netflix announced plans to release a recording from the Body of Work tour in 2023.
Released 'Something Special' on Netflix
Netflix released the comedy special 'Hannah Gadsby: Something Special' (May 10, 2023).
Curated 'It's Pablo-matic: Picasso According to Hannah Gadsby' at Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn Museum hosted the exhibition June–September 2023, curated by Gadsby with Catherine Morris and Lisa Small; the show attracted strong critical backlash.
Film credit: voice role in 'Hitpig!' (listed 2024)
Filmography lists voice role (Lola) in animated film 'Hitpig!' (credited in 2024 listings); casting was announced in 2020 and film appears on filmography for 2024.
Tour 'Woof!' (2024)
Listed tour entry for 'Woof!' in 2024 (touring/comedy show listed among Gadsby's tours).
Announced Netflix special 'Gender Agenda'
Announced a Netflix special (Gender Agenda) featuring seven genderqueer comics; announcement Feb 2024.
Released 'Hannah Gadsby's Gender Agenda' on Netflix
Netflix released 'Gender Agenda', a special featuring seven genderqueer comics curated/hosted by Gadsby (special date 5 March 2024 reported).
Continued touring & advocacy work (ongoing)
Continues to tour, perform on Netflix specials, write and publicly advocate on neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ issues (ongoing as of latest sources).
Key Achievement Ages
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