Andy Lee (comedian)
Andy Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Andrew Thomas Lee May 24, 1981 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, television host, musician, author |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | Hamish & Andy, children's book author |
Andrew Thomas Lee (born 24 May 1981) is an Australian entertainer known for his roles as a comedian, television host, musician, and author of children's books. He gained widespread recognition through his collaboration with Hamish Blake as part of the comedic pair Hamish & Andy.
Personal life
Lee is the second child in the family of Michael and Margaret Lee. He has an older brother, Jameson, who manages a roof rack business and co-founded the band Zoophyte alongside Lee, as well as a younger sister, Alex Miles, a pantomime writer and performer featured in the comedy series Porky Pies.
His education began at Balwyn Primary School followed by Camberwell Grammar School. He later pursued a Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne, where he first met his future comedy partner Hamish Blake in 2001.
In 2006, Lee received the title of Cleo's Bachelor of the Year. From 2006 until 2010, he was in a relationship with model Megan Gale; they have maintained a friendly rapport since their separation.
Beginning in January 2015, Lee entered into a relationship with model Rebecca Harding. After briefly parting ways in 2016, they reconciled and became engaged in 2021. Lee publicly announced his engagement during the 2 May 2024 episode of the Hamish & Andy podcast.
A supporter of the Carlton Football Club, Lee has also been involved with the club’s membership department in off-field capacities.
Hamish & Andy
Together with Ryan Shelton and others, Lee and Blake developed Radio Karate for RMIT University's student television group RMITV, which aired on community broadcaster Channel 31. Their early creative efforts also extended to RMIT's student radio station SYN and initial projects on FOX FM.
The pair hosted The Hamish and Andy Show on the Seven Network, a comedy program that was ultimately cancelled due to low ratings despite their evident talent. Since then, they have continued their partnership under the name Hamish & Andy. They additionally contributed to the creation of the mockumentary series Real Stories.
Hamish & Andy presented a national drive-time radio show on the Hit Network from Monday to Friday between 4 pm and 6 pm. In 2011, this was scaled back to a weekly Friday broadcast as they explored other opportunities. The program achieved outstanding success, securing leading ratings in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth with approximately a 20% audience share—the highest ever recorded for an Australian national FM radio show.
Lee emerged victorious in the inaugural series of Joker Poker, a celebrity poker charity competition, and appeared on Network Ten’s quiz show Australia's Brainiest Comedian. He was also featured in the 2011 edition of Who's Who in Australia.
On 10 May 2010, Hamish and Andy made an appearance on Good News Week.
In 2011, they signed with Channel Nine to produce a ten-episode series titled Gap Year: New York. This was followed by Hamish and Andy's: Euro Gap Year in 2012 during the London Olympics, then Hamish & Andy's Gap Year Asia in 2013, and finally Hamish & Andy's Gap Year South America in 2014. Their other projects include a weekly podcast on PodcastOne and the television show True Story with Hamish & Andy.
Solo work
In 2003, Lee released an educational CD titled The Sing Along Times Table CD Book, which experienced renewed popularity around 2005/2006 after being featured on his radio program.
He was instrumental in founding Melbourne-based band Zoophyte alongside his brother Cameron but stepped back from active involvement in 2007 due to other professional commitments; he has occasionally made guest appearances at live performances since then.
In 2015, Lee formed Coolboys and the Frontman together with comedic partner Hamish Blake and producer Jack Post.
Lee authored his first children’s book, Do Not Open This Book, in 2016 as a gift for his nephew’s first birthday. The book’s success sparked an award-winning series that had expanded to include thirty titles by 2021, significantly broadening his presence within children’s literature.
Ahead of the 2020 AFL season, Lee joined Seven Network’s The Front Bar as a regular panelist alongside Andy Maher, Mick Molloy, and Sam Pang.
In 2021, he took on hosting and executive producing duties for Network Ten’s Australian game show The Cube, as well as hosting Nine Network’s The Hundred with Andy Lee.
During the 2021–22 Ashes cricket series, Lee contributed commentary for Triple M’s broadcast coverage.
On 4 July 2025, ABC premiered Lee’s television series Do Not Watch This Show, inspired by his book series.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Cleo Magazine | Cleo Bachelor of the Year | Received |
| 2013 | Logie Awards | Most Popular Personality on TV (Gold Logie) | Nominated |
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1981 births
- Living people
- Australian radio personalities
- Hamish & Andy
- Comedians from Melbourne
- Australian podcasters
- Australian game show hosts
- Australian male comedians
- RMITV alumni
- Australian publicans