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Shane Jacobson

Shane Jacobson

Actor and producer · Born March 18, 1970 (56) · Essendon, Victoria, Australia

Shane Jacobson (born 18 March 1970) is an Australian actor, director, writer, and comedian, best known as the "Dunny Man" for his performances as the eponymous character Kenny Smyth, a plumber working for a portable toilet rental company, in the 2006 film Kenny and the spin-off TV series, Kenny's World. In 2006, he won the Australian Film Institute's Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for that performance. In 2017 and 2018 he presented Little Big Shots, on the Seven Network, based on the American series of the same title. In 2019, Jacobson became a judge on Australia's Got Talent. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 18, 1970 (56)
From
Essendon, Victoria, Australia
Works as
Actor and producer
Titles
20 on MovieCove · 47 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 11% in 30 days

What are Shane Jacobson's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
25%
Self
21%
Morality
21%
Society
12%
Survival
11%
Ideas
6%
Power
3%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 10 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 8 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 7 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 7
Ally
3 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Warm
7
Hopeful
7
Joyful
6
Melancholic
5
Other
10

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Shane Jacobson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 12 of their 20 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Shane Jacobson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

47 credits, 20 with a MovieCove page; 17 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • How to Talk Australians(2026)

    as Cleaner

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ooops! I Bought A Pub (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Oops I Bought a Pub (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 2 episodes · Creator · as Shane Jacobson

  • The Deb(2024)

    as Rick

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Roast of John Cleese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Self - Host

  • Ford v Holden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • The Roast of Paul Hogan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Executive Producer · as Self - Roast Master

  • Inside Central Station (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Narrator

  • Thomas and Friends: The Super Engine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Shane (voice)

  • The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee(2020)

    as Neville Dundee

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Westgate Bridge Disaster: The Untold Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Narrator

  • Never Too Late(2020)

    as Bruce Wendell

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Thomas & Friends: Steam Team to the Rescue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Shane (voice)

  • Thomas & Friends: Digs & Discoveries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Shane (voice) (uncredited)

  • Thomas & Friends: Monkey Trouble! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Shane (voice)

  • Ladies in Black(2018)

    as Mr. Miles

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Thomas & Friends: Here Comes the Steam Team! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Shane (voice)

  • Brothers' Nest(2018)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Terry

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • That’s Not My Dog! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Producer · Writer · as Shane

  • The BBQ(2018)

    as Dazza

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • 7 Guardians of the Tomb(2018)

    as Gary

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • A Few Less Men(2017)

    as Mungus

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Goober (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 6 episodes · as Dad (voice)

  • Jack Irish(2016)

    Show 14 episodes · as Barry Tregear

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Dressmaker(2015)

    as Alvin Pratt

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Oddball(2015)

    as Swampy Marsh

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Open Slather (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 20 episodes · Writer · Actor

  • Hanging with Hoges (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Producer · Writer · as Himself - Host

  • Go Fish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Russell

  • The Apprentice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Bob

  • Jack Irish: Dead Point(2014)

    as Barry Tregear

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Fat Tony & Co (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 9 episodes · as Jim O'Brien

  • It's a Date (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Hugo

  • The Time of Our Lives(2013)

    Show 21 episodes · as Luce Tivolli

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • The Mystery of a Hansom Cab(2012)

    as Detective Samuel Gorby

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Jack Irish: Black Tide(2012)

    as Harry Tregear

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Jack Irish: Bad Debts(2012)

    as Barry Tregear

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Bourne Legacy(2012)

    as Mackie

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Beaconsfield(2012)

    as Brant Webb

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Surviving Georgia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Johnnie

  • Charlie & Boots(2009)

    as Boots McFarland

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Cactus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Thommo

  • Newcastle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Reggie

  • Kenny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Co-Producer · Writer · as Kenny Smyth

  • Tanaka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Shane

  • Narcosys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Voice of Clones / Voice of Police / Bouncer

  • Tarzan's South Yarra Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 47 titles from 1984 to 2026; peak year 2019.

Biggest box office

The Dressmaker (2015)

$24M worldwide

Highest rated

The Dressmaker (2015)

Midcredits 79th

Most popular right now

Jack Irish (2016)

Film career

19842026

Peak 2019 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2006Screen debut· Kenny
  • 2006First top-billed film· Kenny
  • 2015Career best· Oddball
  • 2016Career best· Jack Irish

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting44 of 47: 38 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rdDirecting1 of 47: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting6 of 47: 0 only writing, 6 with another roleProducing7 of 47: 1 only producing, 6 with another roleOther crew1 of 47: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

47 titles, 8 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting2000s6 · 6 acting · 1 crew2010s27 · 26 acting · 4 crew2020s13 · 11 acting · 4 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 21% of 14 roles
0616

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Shane Jacobson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 18; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 63rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 20 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 20 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Divisive2
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

The Deb (2024)

94th percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Time of Our Lives (2013)

Midcredits 83rd · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Shane Jacobson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity6 titles22–52 · median 42 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Shane Jacobson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Shane Jacobson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Roy Billing shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers