Andrew Hansen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrew Hansen
Hansen in 2007
Birth name	Andrew John Hansen
Born	(1974-09-18) 18 September 1974 (age 50) Australia
Medium	Print, television, radio and stage
Nationality	Australian
Years active	1999–present
Genres	Satirical and musical comedy
Notable works and roles	The Chaser CNNNN (2002–2003) The Chaser's War On Everything (2006–2009) The Hamster Wheel (2011–12) The Chaser's Media Circus (2014–15) Australian Epic (2023)

Andrew John Hansen (born 18 September 1974) is a funny Australian comedian, musician, and writer. He is best known for being a member of the comedy group called The Chaser. With The Chaser, Andrew has worked on many popular TV shows for ABC Television. These include CNNNN, The Chaser's War On Everything, and The Hamster Wheel. He also helped create the show Australian Epic in 2023.

Andrew was also a producer and regular guest on The Unbelievable Truth. He has performed in live stage shows with The Chaser. He also starred in a radio comedy series called The Blow Parade with his friend Chris Taylor.

Andrew Hansen's Early Life and School

Andrew Hansen was born in Australia on 18 September 1974.

He was a school captain at The Hills Grammar School in Kenthurst, New South Wales. Later, he studied at the University of Sydney. He earned a degree with honors in Australian literature and history.

In 1996, Andrew appeared in a documentary called Uni. This film was about three students at the University of Sydney. One of the other students was Charles Firth, who later joined The Chaser with Andrew. Other future Chaser members, Craig Reucassel and Chas Licciardello, also appeared in the background.

Andrew Hansen and The Chaser Comedy Group

Andrew Hansen is a key member of The Chaser, a well-known Australian comedy team. They are famous for their funny and often cheeky shows.

Andrew Hansen in CNNNN

Andrew Hansen was a star in CNNNN, which was The Chaser's funny American news show. In the show, he led the "newsband" and played characters like Rudi J Blass and Simon Target. For his acting in the first season of CNNNN, Andrew won the Australian Comedy Award for "Outstanding Television Newcomer."

Andrew Hansen in The Chaser's War on Everything

Andrew was a main writer and performer on The Chaser's War on Everything. He was part of the show from its very first episode.

Andrew is also a talented musician who plays piano and guitar. He wrote many songs for the show. He also created the show's theme music. This theme music won an APRA-AGSC Screen Music Award in 2006.

In 2006, Andrew won an Australian Film Institute Award for his great performance in television comedy for the show's first season.

"The Eulogy Song"

One of Andrew Hansen's most talked-about songs was "The Eulogy Song." He performed it on The Chaser's War on Everything in October 2007. The song made fun of how people often praise famous people too much after they pass away, even if they had flaws.

The song mentioned several well-known people, like Peter Brock, Princess Diana, and Steve Irwin. It caused a lot of discussion in the media. Many people, including the Prime Minister of Australia at the time, shared their opinions about the song.

Andrew performed an updated version of "The Eulogy Song" during his tours in 2020 and 2021.

Andrew Hansen's Radio and Audio Work

Andrew Hansen created the music for and starred in The Blow Parade. This was a funny radio series he made with Chris Taylor. It first aired on triple j radio in April 2010. The series was later released as an album. This album won the 2010 ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release.

From 2017 to 2019, Andrew co-hosted Radio Chaser, a daily comedy show on Triple M. The show later released an album with 100 of its sketches.

He currently co-hosts a comedy podcast called The Chaser Report. This podcast is produced by NOVA Entertainment.

Andrew has also hosted programs on ABC Radio Melbourne sometimes, including the Breakfast show during summer and Easter in 2019–20.

Andrew Hansen's Stage Shows

Andrew Hansen helped write and performed in the live show Cirque du Chaser. This show toured around Australia in 2005.

In 2007, Andrew composed and performed music for the Sydney Theatre Company's musical comedy Dead Caesar. This play was written by his Chaser friend Chris Taylor. Andrew also played two characters, Marc Antony and Lucius.

In 2008, Andrew toured Australia with The Chaser's second stage show, The Chaser's Age of Terror Variety Hour.

In 2009, Andrew hosted a live show called The Goodies: Before, During and After. This show featured the British comedy group The Goodies.

In 2011, Andrew joined other members of The Chaser team for a series of live shows in Sydney called The Chaser's Empty Vessel.

In 2014, Andrew and Chris Taylor toured Australia with a new show of songs and sketches called One Man Show. In 2015, they toured another show called In Conversation with Lionel Corn, which made fun of writer's festival events.

In 2020, Andrew started touring his Solo Show. This show featured sketches and songs about people doing things on their own. He performed it on guitar, piano, and iPad. He had to postpone some dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

In 2022, he toured Everyone Else Is Wrong, another show of sketches and songs. In 2023, he followed up with Andrew Hansen is Cheap, a show about the cost of living.

Andrew has also appeared in several versions of the live quiz show Good Game Live at the EB Games Expo.

Other Projects and Appearances

Andrew Hansen was a guitarist and singer for an independent band from Sydney called The Fantastic Leslie. The band released an album in 1999. He was also part of another band called Mending.

Andrew co-wrote a short film called Garbage Man. It was a finalist at the Tropfest film festival in 2005.

He has also contributed to other TV shows like Comedy Inc. and My Favourite Album. He has done voice-overs for ABC programs. Andrew composed music for Nickelodeon shows and songs for the Sesame Street character Ollie.

Andrew has appeared at the 2007 MTV Australia Awards and the ARIA Music Awards in 2007 and 2011. He was a guest on The Nation in 2007 and Newstopia in 2008. He also appeared on the Australian gaming TV show Good Game several times between 2008 and 2016. In 2009, he was a guest on Rove and Good News Week.

In 2010, Andrew hosted Strictly Speaking, a speechmaking competition series on ABC1.

Andrew was a guest star in the Australian science fiction audio drama Night Terrace. He played the role of Horatio Gray in the second season.

He has also worked with Benjamin Maio Mackay on stage and in an audio drama called The Phoenix Files.

Andrew Hansen's Music Albums

Andrew Hansen has released music albums, often with his comedy partners.

Andrew Hansen's Awards

Andrew Hansen has won several awards for his comedy and music work.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are yearly awards given by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). They celebrate great achievements in Australian music.

AACTA Awards

The AACTA Awards are given out every year by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts. Before 2011, these awards were known as the AFI Awards.