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Jesse Spencer
Jesse Spencer 2009.jpg
Spencer in 2009
Born (1979-02-12) 12 February 1979 (age 46)
Melbourne, Australia
Citizenship
  • Australia
  • United States
Occupation
  • Actor
  • musician
Years active 1991–present
Spouse(s)
Kali Woodruff Carr
(m. 2020)

Jesse Gordon Spencer (born 12 February 1979) is an Australian actor. He is famous for playing Billy Kennedy in the Australian TV show Neighbours. He also played Dr. Robert Chase in the American medical drama House. More recently, he was known as Captain Matthew Casey in the American drama Chicago Fire.

Jesse Spencer's Life and Career

Growing Up in Australia

Jesse Spencer was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 12 February 1979. His father, Rodney Spencer, was a doctor who specialized in X-rays. His mother, Robyn Spencer, was involved in starting a political group called Australians Against Further Immigration. She also worked with another political party, One Nation.

Jesse has two older brothers, Tarney and Luke, who are both surgeons. His younger sister, Polly, is an anaesthetist, a doctor who gives medicine to make people sleep during surgery. Jesse went to Canterbury Primary School and Scotch College in Melbourne. While he was still in school, he tried out for the TV show Neighbours. He was accepted into Monash University but decided to act instead.

Acting Roles and TV Shows

Jesse Spencer
Spencer in 2008

Starting on Neighbours

Jesse Spencer became well-known for his role as Billy Kennedy in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. He played this character from 1994 to 2000. He even came back for special episodes in 2005 and 2022 to celebrate the show's anniversaries. His character, Billy, was the son of popular characters Dr. Karl Kennedy and Susan Kennedy.

After Neighbours, Jesse acted in movies like Winning London with the Olsen twins. He also appeared in Uptown Girls and Swimming Upstream.

From House to Chicago Fire

From 2004 to 2012, Jesse starred in the American medical drama House. He played Dr. Robert Chase, an intensive care specialist and surgeon. He was one of the main doctors on the team of the show's main character, Dr. Gregory House.

Later, Jesse took on another big role as Captain Matthew Casey in the NBC drama Chicago Fire. He played a firefighter from 2012 to 2021.

New Projects and Returns

In 2022, Jesse returned to Neighbours for its final episode. In 2024, it was announced that he would be part of a new Disney+ series called Last Days of the Space Age.

Music and Charity Work

Jesse Spencer started his music journey early. He sang with the Australian Boys Choir from 1986 to 1992. He also plays the violin in a band called Band from TV. This band includes his former House co-star, Hugh Laurie. They perform at different events and donate the money they earn to charity. The band even played on a TV special called Idol Gives Back in 2008.

Personal Life Highlights

Jesse Spencer dated American actress Jennifer Morrison, who played his character's love interest in House. They were engaged for a short time. He also dated Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira.

In 2014, Jesse started dating neuroscientist Dr. Kali Woodruff Carr. They got engaged in 2019 and were married on 27 June 2020. In November 2021, Jesse became a citizen of the United States.

Awards and Achievements

Jesse Spencer has been recognized for his acting. For his role in Neighbours, he was nominated for "Most Popular Actor" at the Logie Awards in 1998 and 1999. For House, he was nominated for "Choice TV Breakout Performance – Male" at the Teen Choice Awards in 2005. He also received a "Golden Boomerang" award in 2006 for his work. In 2007, People Magazine included him in their list of the "100 Most Beautiful People". For Chicago Fire, he was nominated for "Choice TV Actor – Action" at the Teen Choice Awards in 2013.

Filmography

Movies

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Lorna Doone Marwood de Whichehalse
2001 Curse of the Talisman Jeremy Campbell
Winning London Lord James Browning, Jr.
2002 Stranded Fritz Robinson TV film
2003 Swimming Upstream Tony Fingleton
Uptown Girls Neal Fox
2004 Action Man: Robot Atak Flynt (voice) Animated tie-in
2006 Flourish Eddie Gator
The Script Ben Short film
2010 Tell-Tale Lover Short film
2013 Skum Rocks! David Lockhart
2015 The Girl Is in Trouble Nicholas Feinstein
2021 Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room Liam Short film

TV Shows

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Time Trax Young Bill Episode: "A Close Encounter"
1994–2022 Neighbours Billy Kennedy 471 episodes
1998 Hercules Triton, Jr. (voice) Episode: "Hercules and the Son of Poseidon"
2002 Saishu Heiki Kanojo Shuji's Father (voice) English version; Episode: "Soshite, bokutachi wa koishiteiku"
2003 Death in Holy Orders Raphael Arbuthnot 2 episodes; TV miniseries
2004–2012 House Dr. Robert Chase 171 episodes
2006 Blue Heelers Lee Cruickshank Episode: "Dangerous Animals"
2012–2021 Chicago Fire Captain Matthew Casey 205 episodes
2013 Phineas and Ferb Liam McCracken (voice) Episode: "Primal Perry"
2014–2019 Chicago P.D. Captain Matthew Casey 7 episodes
2017–2019 Chicago Med Captain Matthew Casey 4 episodes
2024 Last Days of the Space Age Tony Bissett 8 episodes

Music Videos

Year Artist Title Role
2009 Caitlin Crosby "Still Have My Heart" Dentist
2010 Katharine McPhee "Say Goodbye" Boyfriend

Stage Performances

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
1998–1999 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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jesse Spencer para niños

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