Adam Barrington Spencer (born in 1970 in Gladesville, New South Wales) is an Australian radio DJ and media personality. He first came to fame when he won his round of the comedic talent search Raw Comedy in the mid 1990s. He began working at Triple J soon afterwards, on mid-dawn and drive shifts. From 1999, joined in 2000 by Wil Anderson, Spencer hosted Triple J's hugely popular breakfast show, before they both retired from the show in 2004.
His widespread popularity has also led to him becoming a patron of various science-related events and programs, including the University of Sydney'sEureka Prize, a "lateral-thinking" science prize, and the Rural Pharmacy Promotion Campaign. He is also coach of the University's sixth grade women's football (soccer) team.
Spencer's time in the media has not been without controversy. He has been vocal on many political issues, particularly during his time on Triple J. His sense of humour has also been risque, such as one attempted joke while presenting at the 2004 ARIA Music Awards, where he pretended to announce the late Slim Dusty as a winner. Dusty's family were in the audience.
On the final day of his breakfast show in 2004, he announced that his partner Mel was pregnant and that the next year he would be leaving his media career to become a full-time dad, although he returned within 2 years to present another breakfast radio show. He married Mel on 28 January 2006.
Spencer was born without the muscle levator palpebrae superioris in his right upper eyelid, leading to permanent ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) and noticeable facial asymmetry. He later received a transplant from a dead motorcyclist in an operation performed by eye surgeon Fred Hollows, allowing him to 'open' that eye. His vision is normal.
Spencer is a graduate of the University of Sydney, graduating with a first class honours degree in Pure Mathematics. While at university, he was one of the world's top-ranked debaters, reaching the final round of the World Universities Debating Championship three times (1990, 1992, 1996) and winning Worlds Best Speaker (1996). He also won the Australasian debating championship twice (1988, 1990). Since December 2001, he has been a Fellow of the University Senate. He had also previously served a term from 1992 to 1995.
Spencer attended St Aloysius' College in Sydney, and was a vice-captain of the College.
