This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (September 2007) (Find sources: Adam Spencer – news, books, scholar)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2009)

Adam Barrington Spencer (born January 27, 1969 in Gladesville, New South Wales) is an Australian radio presenter and media personality. He first came to fame when he won his round of the comedic talent search Raw Comedy in the mid 1990s. He began working at Triple J soon afterwards, on mid-dawn and drive shifts before hosting the Triple J Breakfast Show with Wil Anderson.

He is a patron of various science-related events and programs, including the University of Sydney's Eureka Prize, a "lateral-thinking" science prize, and the Rural Pharmacy Promotion Campaign. He is also coach of the University's sixth grade women's football (soccer) team.

Spencer has been vocal on many political issues, particularly during his time on Triple J. His sense of humour has also been risque, such as one attempted joke while presenting at the 2004 ARIA Music Awards, where he pretended to announce the late Slim Dusty as a winner while Dusty's family were in the audience.

He is a member of the Sleek Geek Week tour along with Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, as well as performing his own stand up comedy at events around the country.

[edit] Personal life

Spencer was born without the muscle levator palpebrae superioris in his right upper eyelid, leading to permanent ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) and noticeable facial asymmetry. He later received a transplant from a dead motorcyclist in an operation performed by eye surgeon Fred Hollows, allowing him to 'open' that eye. His vision is normal.

On the final day of his breakfast show in 2004, he announced that his partner Mel was pregnant and that the next year he would be leaving his media career to become a full-time dad, although he returned within 2 years to present another breakfast radio show. He married Mel on 28 January 2006.

Spencer is an avid Sydney Swans supporter and recently appeared on the "Barry Hall Hall" advertising campaign which features Swans star Barry Hall.

[edit] Education

Spencer attended St Aloysius' College in Sydney, and was a vice-captain of the College. He is a graduate of the University of Sydney, graduating with a first class honours degree in Pure Mathematics. While at university, he was one of the world's top-ranked debaters, reaching the final round of the World Universities Debating Championship three times (1990, 1992, 1996) and winning Worlds Best Speaker (1996). He also won the Australasian debating championship twice (1988, 1990). Since December 2001, he has been a Fellow of the University Senate. He had also previously served a term from 1992 to 1995. He attended school with Federal MP Joe Hockey.

[edit] Charity

Adam Spencer regularly promotes the work of Redkite, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Unifem and Kids For Life. Spencer has also made appearances at the Wave Aid concert in Sydney in 2004, the Australian leg of Live Earth in 2007 and the Sound Relief concert in Sydney in 2009.

[edit] Television

Adam Spencer has been a host of ABC science shows Quantum, FAQ and Sleek Geeks. In 2005, Spencer hosted Australia's first poker TV show, Joker Poker, on the Ten Network.

[edit] Radio

From 1999, and joined in 2000 by Wil Anderson, Spencer hosted Triple J's hugely popular breakfast show, before they both retired from the show in 2004. On 20 February 2006, he began presenting Breakfast on 702 ABC Sydney. He is currently second in the radio ratings, behind Alan Jones. Spencer replaced Julie McCrossin on 702 ABC Sydney breakfast. Spencer also hosts the "Smile High Club" radio show programme on Qantas Airlines radio channel, Q.

[edit] Bibliography

• Spencer, Adam. Adam Spencer's Book of Numbers. Penguin Books Australia Ltd. ISBN 978-0-14-028781-3. 

[edit] References

1. ^ Adam Spencer Agents Bio 2009-04-06

[edit] External links

• Adam Spencer's Website