House M.D

Background:

Australian actor and musician Jesse Spencer became famous in his native land and among British audiences by portraying Billy Kennedy in the popular Australian soap “Neighbors” (1994-2000), for which he picked up two Logie nominations, before making the successful transformation to stardom in Hollywood with his role as intensive care specialist Dr. Robert Chase on the Fox hit series “House M.D.” (2004 - present). The engaging performer earned a Teen Choice nomination for his effort on the show. On the movie front, Spencer has had major parts in such productions as “Swimming Upstream” (2003, with Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis), “Uptown Girls” (2003, opposite Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning), “Death in Holy Orders” (2003, TV) and “Flourish” (2006, with Jennifer Morrison).

Outside the limelight and one of People Magazine's “100 Most Beautiful People” (2007), Spencer proposed to his girlfriend, actress Jennifer Morrison, on December 23, 2006, in Paris. The couple met in March 2004 at the Vancouver International Airport where they were on their way to shoot episodes of “House” before they began dating in July 2004. Spencer's romantic life was once linked to actress Cordelia Bugeja.

Now a resident of Los Angeles, Spencer's hobbies include soccer, rock climbing, running, basketball, swimming and surfing. He also enjoys Kung Fu and speaks French. Spencer considered himself the black sheep of his family since his father and two brothers are doctors and his sister is currently a medical student.

Music

Childhood and Family:

Jesse Gordon Spencer was born on February 12, 1979, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, to Rodney Spencer, a general practitioner, and Robyn. His parents formed the controversial conservative political party Australians Against Further Immigration. Jesse has two older brothers, Tarney, a surgeon and Luke, an ophthalmologist, and a younger sister named Polly, who is a medical student.

The future TV star was educated at Canterbury Primary School, Malvern Central School, and Scotch College in Hawthorn. Jesse was offered a chance to study medicine at Melbourne University but decided to pursue an acting career instead. A member of the Australian Boys Choir, Jesse took up the violin when he was 10. In addition to violin, he also plays the guitar, piano and drums.

Neighbors

Career:

The son of a doctor, Jesse Spencer discovered he had a knack for acting after joining the Australian Boys Choir. The Melbourne native performed in local theater, but did not nab his first professional gig until he landed the role of Christopher Robin in a musical production of “Winnie the Pooh.” In 1994, Spencer made his television acting debut on an episode of the short lived syndicated science fiction series “Time Trax,” as young Bill.

Spencer's big breakthrough arrived shortly thereafter when he won the regular role of William “Billy” Kennedy on the well liked Aussie soap opera “Neighbors,” a show best known for launching the career of Kylie Minogue. Jesse played the role from 1994 to 2000 and received Logie nominations for Most Popular Actor in 1998 and 1999.

After leaving the soap, Spencer headed to the United Kingdom to further pursue his career and in 2000, appeared in his first British TV film called “Lorna Doone,” which was based on a novel and directed by Mike Barker. He next starred as Jeremy Campbell in the horror TV film “Curse of the Talisman” (2001), supported Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for the twins' direct-to-video “Winning London” (2001) and teamed up with Liam Cunningham and Brana Bajic in director Charles Beeson's “Stranded” (2002, TV), which was adapted from the book “The Swiss Family Robinson” by novelist Johann David Wyss.

In 2003, Spencer returned to Australia to star with Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis as Australian swimmer Anthony Fingleton in the film “Swimming Upstream.” Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the picture was successful and received good reviews. He followed it up with a supporting turn as star Brittany Murphy’s love interest in the American comedy “Uptown Girls” (2003) for director Boaz Yakin. Not only acting, the capable musician also performed two songs for the movie soundtrack, including “Molly Smiles.” Spencer recalled, “I started off with violin, then I started learning guitar, then I went to piano, but I self-taught piano just because I enjoyed it. I've always really enjoyed music. I haven't played much the last 4 years because I've been traveling around, so when I got his role, I had to start playing the guitar again.”

Still in 2003, Spencer also starred as Raphael Arbuthnot in the BBC television movie “Death in Holy Orders.”

2004 proved to be a banner year for the Australian import when he landed the regular role of Dr. Robert Chase on the Fox medical drama “House M.D,” opposite Hugh Laurie in the title role. Premiering on November 16, 2004, the show soon became a hit and still maintains good ratings. In 2005, Spencer was nominated for a Teen Choice TV Breakout Performance – Male award for his work in the series.

Despite his hectic TV schedule, Spencer also starred in the independent film “Flourish” (2006). In the movie, he shared top billing with his fiancée and “House” costar Jennifer Morrsion.

Awards:
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