Hannah Gadsby’s Wife Jenney Shamash Was the Comedian’s Producer before Marrying Her

Many people wonder about Jenney Shmash, comedian Hannah Gadsby’s wife. Shamash holds a strong affection for Gadsby, and their special bond extends beyond just being married.

Hannah Gadsby has established herself as one of the most talented and respected female comedians of our time. Supporting her throughout her career is Jenny Shamash, who has never left her side through thick and thin.

Gadsby, who hails from a small town in Tasmania, Australia, started her stand-up comedy career in 2006. After a decade of performing, her success skyrocketed with the release of her revolutionary and award-winning Netflix comedy special, “Nanette.”

Hannah Gadsby attends the premiere of Hamilton at Lyric Theatre, Star City on March 27, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. | Source: Getty Images

Jenney Shamash Was Hannah Gadsby’s Producer before Becoming Her Wife

With a heartwarming story, Gadsby reminisced about the fateful encounter that led to her meeting her beloved partner, Shamash, amidst the chaos of a pandemic in Australia.

Gadsby shared with The Times that the two first met in New York in 2018 when Shamash worked as a producer for Gadsby’s off-Broadway show “Nanette.”

As they collaborated and traveled the globe for Gadsby’s follow-up show “Douglas” in 2019, their friendship blossomed into a romance. Gadsby attributes the success of their relationship to Shamash’s understanding of her autism spectrum diagnosis.

Being open about her diagnosis, Gadsby shared that when she was young, she always knew she was different and that her brain functioned differently. She added:

“I have always had difficulty articulating my needs, but as I have got older, my language and social skills have improved a great deal.”

When the pandemic struck in 2020, the couple’s bond grew. Despite the pandemic’s challenges, Gadsby and Shamash returned to Australia and quarantined together in the Victoria area of the country.

Even though they were stuck during a health crisis, the comedian revealed that she and her partner were still going strong and happy with each other.

Hannah and Jenney Got Married Secretly in 2021

The lovebirds were unaware that the challenges they faced in the pandemic would lead to the start of a beautiful and never-ending relationship.

Gadsby and Shamash secretly tied the knot in January 2021 but only announced their marriage on Instagram in April of that year, along with a photo of them enjoying ice cream together.

In her post, Gadsby expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported marriage equality and praised Shamash as a “producer extraordinaire” and a talented and funny person.

As an open lesbian, Gadsby has used a variety of terms to describe herself, such as “gender not-normal,” “Sir/madam,” “masculine of center,” and “this situation.”

She stated that having Shamash in her life brought her great joy. Avid fans of Gadsby congratulated the couple and sent them well wishes as they embarked on this new milestone.

In May 2021, Gadsby posted a photo of her and her wife walking down the street using crutches, which sparked concern among fans for the couple’s health. Despite the crutches, they were smiling as they posed at a gate.

While Shamash sported an orange striped shirt paired with black pants, Gadsby wore a plaid shirt and dark pants. Gadsby revealed that she recently had knee construction surgery and that her wife had broken her right leg.

The Emmy-winning comedian did not provide further details about the cause of the accident. Even though the picture concerned some of her fans, Gadsby and her spouse appear to have recovered.

Hannah Gadsby Opened Up about the Experience of Being a Lesbian in Her Comedy

Gadsby has always been transparent about her autism spectrum diagnosis and recent health struggles. Still, she’s also been unafraid to open up about the challenges she faces as a comedian and a lesbian.

In a stand-up comedy performance in June 2020, she candidly shared her struggles with being labeled as “not a very good gay” and receiving negative feedback from the lesbian community.

She recounted a story of a “self-appointed person” approaching her after a show and expressing disappointment that there wasn’t enough “lesbian content” in her performance.

Gadsby retorted that simply being on stage and being true to herself is all the lesbian content she needs to provide. She said she did not even “straighten up” halfway through the show.

Gadsby is known for her bold and honest views on life. In her other Netflix special, “Nanette,” she shared her traumatic experiences growing up in the small town of Tasmania, where she felt compelled to leave as soon as she realized she was gay.

She also shared that she would get “side-eye” reactions when people realized she was a woman rather than a man. Despite this, Gadsby said she enjoyed being mistaken for a man, as it made life easier for her.

She explained that sharing her traumatic experiences, such as homophobia and assault, in her comedy sets was emotionally taxing, as psychiatrists and psychologists expressed concern about the impact on her mental health.

But by sharing her story onstage, she was able to process and move on from difficult experiences. Whenever she would finish her set, she would notice a shift in the audience’s reactions, and it made her feel less vulnerable and more connected to others.

As an open lesbian, Gadsby has used a variety of terms to describe herself, such as “gender not-normal,” “Sir/madam,” “masculine of center,” and “this situation.”

She believed that terms highlighted the fluidity of gender identity and that there’s no right way to express it. Gadsby also emphasized that she is not a transgender person, despite some people assuming that she is.

While the language and labels surrounding gender can be puzzling, Gadsby offers options for herself and those who describe her, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nuances of gender identity.

Gadsby is one of the comedians whose story continues to be admired by fans. Like her, comedians such as Wanda Sykes, Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, and Kate McKinnon are among those who have achieved success in the industry.