Jimmy Rees: From Giggle and Hoot to Comedy Star

Few Australian children’s TV hosts have pulled off a career pivot quite like Jimmy Rees. For a decade he was Jimmy Giggle, the grinning face of ABC Kids’ Giggle and Hoot, and then he traded the puppet sidekick for a smartphone camera.

Full name: James Rees OAM ·
Born: 15 July 1987 ·
Known for: Playing Jimmy Giggle on ABC ·
Children: 3 sons ·
Social media: 1.4 million Facebook followers ·
Notable achievement: Order of Australia Medal (OAM)

Six key facts about Jimmy Rees, from his birth date to his social reach.

What does Jimmy Rees do now?

Jimmy Rees is a comedian, television host, and content creator. He produces comedy videos on YouTube and social media, often parodying Australian life and politics. His official website describes his skills as “playing cardboard instruments, juggling badly, annoying banjo playing” (Jimmy Rees official website). He also hosts the show ‘The Guy Who Decides’ on 9Now (Wikipedia).

What is Jimmy Rees’ current job?

His primary role is as a stand-up comedian and online entertainer. He performs live across Australia and will debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2026 after playing to 150,000 people in the Southern Hemisphere (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

Does Jimmy Rees still perform live comedy?

Yes, he tours regularly and has amassed 4.5 million social media followers (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

What content does Jimmy Rees create online?

His best-known online series is Meanwhile in Australia, where he impersonates political leaders like former Prime Minister Scott Morrison (Wikipedia). He also shares parenting humor and family sketches on Facebook and TikTok.

The shift from a captive preschool audience to millions of adults online required a sharp change in material — and Rees pulled it off by staying distinctly Australian in his satire.

What was Jimmy Rees famous for?

Jimmy Rees was best known for playing Jimmy Giggle on ABC Kids’ flagship program Giggle and Hoot. The show ran from 2012 to 2019, though Rees hosted it from 2009 to 2020 overall (Wikipedia). He became a household name among Australian children and their parents.

What is Giggle and Hoot?

Giggle and Hoot was a live‑action children’s show on ABC Kids featuring a human host (Jimmy Giggle) and a puppet owl (Hoot). It was a staple of Australian preschool television for over a decade.

Who is Jimmy Giggle?

Jimmy Giggle is the stage name — a character played by James Rees. The character wore a bright red and yellow outfit and introduced songs, games, and stories.

How long did Jimmy Rees play Jimmy Giggle?

Rees played Jimmy Giggle from the show’s launch in 2009 until its end in 2020, making it an 11‑year run (Wikipedia).

This pivot away from being typecast was deliberate — Rees built a second identity as a satirist before the character could define him.

Does Jimmy Rees have twins?

Jimmy Rees has three sons with his wife Tori, but the question of twins remains unclear. His sons are named Lenny, Mack, and Vinny (Wikipedia). He has mentioned a 10‑year‑old son who is his harshest critic (ABC 7.30), but no public confirmation specifies whether any are twins.

How many children does Jimmy Rees have?

He has three sons. He often shares family stories in his comedy, including parenting vignettes.

What are the names of Jimmy Rees’ children?

The boys are Lenny, Mack, and Vinny (Wikipedia).

Is Jimmy Rees married?

Yes, he married his long‑term partner Tori in 2013 (Wikipedia).

Without official confirmation, the twin rumor highlights how much of Rees’ family life remains private despite his public persona.

What happened to the guy from Giggle and Hoot?

Giggle and Hoot ended in 2019/2020, and Jimmy Rees moved on. He pivoted to online comedy and other TV appearances, including competing on the first season of Taskmaster Australia in 2023 (Wikipedia).

Why did Giggle and Hoot end?

The show concluded after more than a decade, typical for children’s programming cycles. ABC did not renew it.

What did Jimmy Rees do after Giggle and Hoot?

He began releasing short humorous videos on TikTok and YouTube in 2020, covering parenting, packaging, and the COVID‑19 pandemic (Wikipedia).

Did Jimmy Rees leave children’s television?

Yes, he shifted entirely to adult‑oriented comedy. He now performs stand‑up and hosts the show ‘The Guy Who Decides’ on 9Now.

The pattern: Rees traded a captive audience of preschoolers for a global adult fanbase — a rare successful transition in Australian entertainment.

Where does Jimmy Rees live now?

Jimmy Rees is Australian and currently lives in the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. After finishing Giggle and Hoot, he and his family moved from the Central Coast of New South Wales back to Victoria (Wikipedia).

Is Jimmy Rees based in Sydney?

He lived on the Central Coast of NSW during his Giggle and Hoot years, but has since relocated.

Does Jimmy Rees live in Australia?

Yes, he resides in Australia on the Mornington Peninsula.

What is Jimmy Rees’ hometown?

He was born and grew up in Melbourne, Victoria (Wikipedia).

Why this matters: His move back to Victoria signals a permanent shift away from the Sydney‑based children’s TV scene toward a more independent, family‑centered life.

On his official website, Rees jokes about his skills: “playing cardboard instruments, juggling badly, annoying banjo playing” (Jimmy Rees official website (personal site)).

For Australian comedians looking to reinvent, the lesson is clear: embrace the platform you have, but keep your day job funny — and your kids even funnier.