Peter Helliar

Peter Helliar was born on June 16, 1975, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He began his career in the mid-1990s, performing on the Melbourne comedy circuit and at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. His early television appearances included regular stand-up on RMITV’s “Under Melbourne Tonight” in 1997 and on “The Loft Live” in 1998, where he also scripted and recorded skits. Helliar gained national recognition in 1999 as a regular alongside Rove McManus on the Nine Network’s “Rove,” which later moved to Channel Ten in 2000 and continued until 2009. During this period, he also served as a writer for the show, contributing to its content for nearly a decade. In 2003 and 2004, he was part of the ensemble cast for the sketch comedy program “SkitHOUSE” on Network Ten.

His career expanded significantly in the 2010s, marked by his creation, writing, co-production, and co-direction of the eight-episode comedy series “It’s a Date” in 2013 for ABC TV. This series was critically well-received, earning a second season and winning the ‘Best Scripted Format Award’ at MIPCOM 2013 in Cannes. From January 2014 to December 2022, Helliar was a regular co-host of Network Ten’s popular program “The Project.” In 2018, he created and co-wrote “How to Stay Married,” a spin-off of “It’s a Date,” which explored long-term relationships and aired for three seasons. Beyond television, Helliar wrote, co-starred in, and co-produced the romantic comedy film “I Love You Too,” released in 2010. He also appeared in the Australian comedy film “Scumbus” in 2012. His versatility is also evident in his radio work, including “Saturday Morning Rove” and “Pete & Myf” on Triple M Melbourne. He has recently appeared as a contestant on “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” (2023) and is scheduled to be a contestant on “Taskmaster Australia” (2024) and “The Amazing Race Australia” (2024) with his wife, Bridget Helliar.

Helliar was nominated for the Gold Logie, an award for the Most Popular Personality on Television, in 2017. He also created an alter ego, Bryan Strauchan, for the 2005 AFL season, a character that appeared on “Before the Game” and in various charitable activities. His career reflects a sustained commitment to comedy and entertainment across multiple platforms, showcasing his abilities as a performer, writer, and producer.