Anthony Lehmann | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1969-08-20)20 August 1969 (age 56) |
| Other names | Lehmo |
| Occupations | Comedian, actor, television and radio presenter |
| Years active | 1994−present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | www.lehmo.com.au |
Anthony Lehmann (born 20 August 1969), professionally known asLehmo,[1] is an Australian comedian, actor, television and radio presenter.
Born inPeebinga, South Australia, Lehmann started out working as achartered accountant before realising he did not actually like accounting and decided to give comedy a try. Later he joinedGold 104.3 inMelbourne withBrigitte Duclos making the Morning Show "Brig & Lehmo". When Duclos was sacked,Jo Stanley stepped in and then "Jo & Lehmo" was formed. For many years they were voted best Radio Station in Melbourne.[2]
Lehmann is one of Australia’s most experienced and well-travelled comedians. His live work has seen him headline at comedy clubs for well over fifteen years and work all corners of the globe – USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Lehmann has also become Australia’s number one 'combat comic', having completed seven 'tours of duty' performing for Australian troops abroad. These tours have seen Lehmann perform in army bases inEast Timor,Iraq,Kuwait,UAE,Afghanistan,Egypt,Qatar and on a number of naval ships around the world.
He has also performed sell out seasons at theAdelaide Fringe Festival (2000, 2002 and 2004), theMelbourne International Comedy Festival (1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005) and theEdinburgh Fringe Festival (1996 and 1997).[3]
His live credits in the UK include the 1996 and 1997 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals,The Comedy Store, London andJongleurs – the largest chain of comedy clubs in Britain.[citation needed] Lehmann has also performed regular gigs at theBoston Comedy Club andGotham Comedy Club, both inNew York City.[citation needed]
His shows have included, "War, Marriage & Puppy Love" – about war, marriage and puppy love, "The Family Lifeboat" – about navigating life as a new father, and "Younger Than Brad Pitt" – about Lehmann accepting he is no longer 21 and time is marching on.
Overseas demand for Lehmann has seen him appear on England'sBBC Television'sComedy Showcase and as a regular compere on Britain's longest-running television stand up showStand up Live.[4] Lehmann also played himself in a series of ads forXXXX beer[5][6] which were shot in India and screened in the UK.
In 2021, Lehmann accusedRuPaul's Drag Race Down Under contestantAnita Wigl'it of stealing one of his jokes aboutPrince Andrew during her appearance asElizabeth II in the show'sSnatch Game challenge. Lehmann claimed he had first cracked the joke in August 2020 and that “my joke has now gone global without me.” Wigl'it later issued an apology on herInstagram, saying ““Oh no! I do apologise!! When I was doing research for the Queen character I knew that there was something funny about the letter writing[...]Friends suggested the text. Turns out they had heard it somewhere before!”[7]
In May 2005, Lehmann broke theGuinness World Record for the most jokes told in an hour with 549, beating the previous record of 499,[8][9] which was held by UK comedianTim Vine.
In April 2014, the record was reassigned back to Tim Vine following a decision from Guinness World Record officials. An official spokesman said that Anthony Lehmann had breached the guidelines.[10]
In 2003, Lehmann’s radio career started as co-host ofSAFM breakfast show inAdelaide with Lisa Millard.[11] In July 2020, Lehmann returned to SAFM to host breakfast alongside Rebecca Morse and Andrew Costello 'Cosi'.
In January 2010, Lehmann joinedBrigitte Duclos onMix 1011 to hostMix Mornings where he replacedTom Gleeson.[11] In December 2011,Australian Radio Network announced that Lehmann and Duclos would move to presentBrig & Lehmo for Breakfast onGold 104.3 replacingGrubby & Dee Dee. In November 2015, Duclos resigned from Gold 104.3 withJo Stanley replacing her from January 2016. In November 2017, Lehmann's co-hosted theJo & Lehmo Breakfast Show on Gold 104.3, which became the #1 breakfast show in Melbourne. The show was axed in December 2017 .[12]
In 2018, Lehmann joined ABC and hostedABC Grandstand withAngela Pippos and Emma Race. He also hosted the summer sports ABC radio show,Grand National.
In April 2007, Lehmann joinedTriple M to co-host drive-time programWil & Lehmo which also starred fellow comedian co-hostWil Anderson.[13] The show ended in November 2008.[14] Lehmann has since been a regular contributor on the Triple M network.
The former accountant is no stranger to TV, playing series regular 'Jim' in ABC TV'sUtopia, which has won several awards including Best Television Comedy Series at the 4thAACTA Awards, Equity Award for Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at theEquity Ensemble Awards, and Most Outstanding Comedy Program at theLogies. He has been seen regularly on Network Ten'sCelebrity Name Game,The Project,Have You Been Paying Attention? and featured in roles onIt's A Date,Please Like Me,Neighbours (as himself). Lehmann was a team captain onFox Footy's AFL-themed quiz showThe Beep Test, and had guest roles onDrunk History Australia,Hughesy, We Have A Problem,A League Of Their Own,Can Of Worms,Good News Week,Rove Live,The Circle,The Glasshouse,Hey Hey It's Saturday andStand Up Live (UK TV). Lehmann was also a core cast member of the much lovedBefore The Game for over 6 years on TEN.
Lehmann hosted the ABC’s coverage of the2018 Invictus Games. That year, he co-hosted the ABC’s live broadcast of the 2019Australian of the Year announcement as well as Channel 9’sFooty Show.
In 2024 Lehmo appeared in “The Big Trip” on Channel 7 where celebrity contestants travelled from Adelaide to Sydney in all electric cars completing challenges en route. In 2025 he appeared as a contestant onClaire Hooper's House Of Games.[15]
In 2009 Lehmann played a cameo role in the Australian movieOffside. He appears as the character 'Leechy', a former JuniorSocceroo,[16] a soccer star – a role he says is not at odds with his public identity as an active supporter ofAussie Rules football clubHawthorn.
In order to play the role ofLeechy, Lehmann flew to Adelaide for six hours on 6 February 2008. Once shooting was completed, he broadcast his afternoon drive-time radio show from a sister Adelaide radio station, before flying back to Sydney.[citation needed]
In 2010, Lehmann was developing another script with writer/director Carlo Petraccaro.[11]
Lehmann has also had cameos the Working Dog filmAny Questions For Ben? and comedyThat’s Not My Dog!
In 2007, he was the face of the advertising campaigns for theAustralian International Motor Show held in Sydney.[citation needed] He is also the face of adverts for the newVegemite spreadiSnack 2.0 which commenced airing on 21 September 2009 and during the2009 AFL Grand Final broadcast.[citation needed]
In December 2013, Lehmann announced his engagement to television producer Kelly Kearney while on holiday in South Africa.[17] They married on 29 December 2014 inBali.[18] Their first child, a boy, was born on 26 July 2016.[19]