‘I don’t see it as a bad thing’: Shane Jacobson reveals he may have ADHD

Shane Jacobson has revealed he may have ADHD. Although not formally diagnosed, Jacobson opened up during a candid podcast chat.

Shane Jacobson has revealed he may have ADHD.

Although not formally diagnosed, Jacobson opened up during a candid chat with fellow actor Spencer McLaren on the new podcast McLaren Versus.

“I’ve never said this out loud, this will be the first time I’ve ever said it in my life but it’s probably my ADHD, but I’ve never been (formally) diagnosed,” he said on the podcast.

While stigma around mental health and neurodivergence still exists, Jacobson said he’s never been afraid to speak about it.

“I don’t find it daunting to tell people about the way my brain tends to work,” he told Confidential.

“I have never thought of it as something that’s a bad thing. I think of it like eye colour, not something I chose but not something I want to … mine are blue BTW.”

With a career spanning film, television and comedy, Jacobson said his suspected ADHD has never held him back.

Shane Jacobson Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I think it’s an advantage … and if I’m wrong I guess I will never know,” he said.

“In terms of the entertainment world, I find entertainment to be a great gathering place for people on the spectrum. It’s like a spectrum cubby house to me. It already does something, but welcoming more would be great.

“For the most part, we are a very accepting group anyway. But do make sure you vote for Michael Theo for the Silver Logie for his role in Austin. He’s a friend of mine and a guiding light for Autistic people.”

Jacobson appears in Spencer Mclaren’s new podcast McLaren Versus, which offers an intimate look into the lives of some of Australia’s most celebrated performers, including Murray Bartlett, Pia Miranda, Christine Anu and Eddie Perfect.

He said joining the podcast was an easy yes.

“Spencer is a very good friend of mine. We’ve always had great chats and enjoyed a great camaraderie, both professionally on many projects and personally,” Jacobson said.

“So when he asked to have a chat and a coffee, I said yes. The fact that there was a microphone there just meant others would get to hear what we talked about.”

As for what he hopes people take away from the episode?

“I just hope they don’t get bored hearing me bang on about stuff.”

Shane Jacobson has opened up about his undiagnosed ADHD on Spencer Mclaren's new podcast. Picture: Supplied

Podcast host Spencer McLaren said the goal was to shine a light on Aussie talent.

“There are heaps of podcasts about Hollywood stars and that kind of stuff, but I didn’t feel anyone was shining a light on Australia,” McLaren said.

“It’s also a chance to reconnect with people from my career and sit down to talk candidly and share.”

He said one of the standout conversations was with Pia Miranda.

“Pia and I swapped a lot of stories about shit jobs over the years and how crappy it is to be famous and poor,” McLaren said.

“Having to get a job as a waiter or serve coffee to pay the bills, and the looks you get from people that are really demoralising, like what are you doing here? Why are you selling me a coffee?

“Her and I really had a great chat about that. It’s a shared experience, and there are also surprising things too.”

McLaren said people often assume that being well known means everything is perfect, but the reality is very different.

“There’s this expectation that if you’re known, then everything’s sorted and gorgeous. But it’s a tough gig in this country as an artist.

“Even talking to someone like Heather Mitchell, who’s had an incredible career, she lost a house. There’s been all sorts of stuff.”

McLaren Versus launches July 8 on all podcast platforms.