Jesse Spencer
Jesse Gordon Spencer (born 12 February 1979) is an Australian actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Billy Kennedy on the Australian soap opera Neighbours (1994–2000, 2005), Dr. Robert Chase on the American medical drama House (2004–2012) and Lieutenant/Captain Matthew Casey on the American drama Chicago Fire (2012–present).
Jesse Spencer | |
|---|---|
 Spencer at the 2009 SAG Awards | |
| Born | Jesse Gordon Spencer 12 February 1979 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Scotch College (VCE) |
| Occupation | Actor, musician |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse(s) | Kali Woodruff (m. 2020) |
Early life
Spencer was born in Melbourne on 12 February 1979. He was born to Rodney Spencer, a radiologist, and Robyn Spencer. He is one of four siblings. Spencer has two older brothers: Tarney Spencer, an oculoplastic surgeon, and Luke Spencer, an orthopaedic surgeon. His younger sister, Polly Spencer, is an anaesthetist. Growing up, he attended Canterbury Primary School, Malvern Central School, and the private Scotch College. While there, he auditioned for the long-running soap opera Neighbours. He completed his VCE and had gained a place at Monash University but deferred to pursue acting.[1]
Career
Acting
Spencer starred as Billy Kennedy in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1994 to 2000. He later reprised his role in 2005, in an episode celebrating the show's 20th anniversary. He has since co-starred in films such as Winning London, Uptown Girls and Swimming Upstream. From 2004 to 2012, he starred as Dr. Robert Chase on the Fox medical drama House. He played Chase for the show's entire run, becoming the second longest-serving member of the title character's team. In 2012, Spencer began starring as Matthew Casey in the NBC drama Chicago Fire.
Music
Spencer began his musical career with the Australian Boys Choir, performing with them from 1986 to 1992.[2] He plays the violin in Band from TV, a group which includes his former House co-star Hugh Laurie. They play at various events, giving the money they earn to the different charities. The band played on Idol Gives Back in April 2008.[3][4]
Awards
For Neighbours, Spencer was nominated for "Most Popular Actor" at the 1998 and 1999 Logie Awards. For House, he was nominated for "Choice TV Breakout Performance – Male" at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards and "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" at the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards. He received a "Golden Boomerang" at the 2006 Australians in Film Breakthrough Awards for his work on House.[5] In 2007, he was included in People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People issue.
Personal life
Spencer met his House M.D. co-star, American actress Jennifer Morrison, in March 2004 at Vancouver International Airport when they were on their way to film the pilot episode of House. They started dating in July 2004 and became engaged while vacationing in Paris at the Eiffel Tower during Christmas 2006,[6] but in August 2007, Spencer and Morrison announced they had called off their engagement. Their characters were also involved on the show, marrying and divorcing in the sixth season.[7]
Spencer dated Brazilian big wave surfer Maya Gabeira from 2010 to 2013.[8] On 27 June 2020, he married research scientist Kali Woodruff.[9]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Lorna Doone | Marwood de Whichehalse |
| 2001 | Curse of the Talisman | Jeremy Campbell |
| 2001 | Winning London | Lord James Browning, Jr. |
| 2002 | Stranded | Fritz Robinson |
| 2003 | Swimming Upstream | Tony Fingleton |
| 2003 | Uptown Girls | Neal Fox |
| 2003 | Death in Holy Orders | Raphael Arbuthnot |
| 2006 | Flourish | Eddie Gator |
| 2010 | Tell-Tale | Lover |
| 2013 | Skum Rocks! | David Lockhart |
| 2015 | The Girl Is in Trouble | Nicholas Feinstein |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Time Trax | Young Bill | Episode: "A Close Encounter" |
| 1994–2000 | Neighbours | Billy Kennedy | Lead role |
| 1998 | Hercules: The Animated Series | Triten, Jr. | Voice Episode: "Hercules and the Son of Poseidon" |
| 2003 | Death in Holy Orders | Raphael Arbuthnot | |
| 2004–2012 | House | Dr. Robert Chase | Lead role |
| 2005 | Neighbours | Billy Kennedy | Guest appearance, Episode 4773 |
| 2012–present | Chicago Fire | Lieutenant/Captain Matthew Casey | Lead role |
| 2013 | Phineas and Ferb | Liam | Voice Episode: "Primal Perry" |
| 2014–present | Chicago P.D. | Lieutenant/Captain Matthew Casey | Recurring role |
| 2017–present | Chicago Med | Lieutenant/Captain Matthew Casey | Recurring role |
Music videos
| Year | Artist | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Caitlin Crosby | "Still Have My Heart" | Dentist |
| 2010 | Katharine McPhee | "Say Goodbye" | Boyfriend |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The King and I | Louis | State Theatre |
| 1992 | Winnie the Pooh | Christopher Robin | The Alexander Theatre |
| 1993 | Scrooge | Older brother of Tiny Tim | The Princess Theatre, Melbourne |
| 1998–99 | Peter Pan | Peter Pan | White Rock Theatre, Hastings |
| 1999–2000 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Jack | Wolverhampton Grand Theatre |
| 2003 | The Modernists | Terrance | The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Awards | Category | Work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Silver Logie Awards | Most Popular TV Actor | Neighbours | Won |
| 1998 | Silver Logie Awards | Most Popular TV Actor | Neighbours | Nominated |
| 2005 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Breakout Performance – Male | House | Nominated |
| 2008 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor: Action | Chicago Fire | Nominated |
References
- McComas, Campbell (December 1998). "Revisions of boyhood". Great Scot. Scotch College, Melbourne.
- "Australian Boys Choir". Retrieved 5 March 2014.
- "Grunberg a Nervous Hero as Band from TV Joins "Idol Gives Back"". Creators.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ""Before He Cheats" (Teri Hatcher) – 4/9/2008, 'American Idol Gives Back'". Band From TV.org. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- "Australians In Film Announces Honorees for 2007 Breakthrough Awards". Australians in Film. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- Jordan, Julie (5 January 2007). "House Costars Engaged". People.com. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- Jordan, Julie (15 August 2007). "House Costars Call Off Engagement". People.com.
- "Maya Gabeira: 35 little-known facts about the Brazilian big wave surfer". Surfertoday.com.
- MSN
