Rob Shehadie is an Australian actor, comedian, writer, and producer, widely recognized for his roles in the satirical television series Fat Pizza and Housos. His work frequently explores Australian multiculturalism, working-class suburban life, and often incorporates elements of Lebanese-Australian culture through a comedic lens.
Early Career and Fat Pizza Shehadie's career gained significant traction through his collaborations with writer, director, and producer Paul Fenech. He first rose to prominence for his portrayal of Roberto "Rocky" Italiano in the SBS comedy series Pizza, which later became Fat Pizza. Beginning in 2000, the show gained a cult following for its depiction of a chaotic pizza shop in a diverse, low-income Sydney suburb. Shehadie's character was a recurring and memorable figure in the show's often controversial and boundary-pushing humor. He reprised his role in subsequent Fat Pizza films and spin-offs.
Housos and Other Projects Following the success of Fat Pizza, Shehadie continued his prolific partnership with Fenech. He starred as Dazza in the SBS comedy series Housos (2011-2013), a show that satirized welfare recipients and the "bogan" subculture in Australia. The popularity of Housos led to two feature films, Housos vs. Authority (2014) and Housos vs. Virus (2020), where Shehadie continued to play Dazza. He has also featured in other Fenech productions, including Bogan Hunters and Dumbfounded, and has performed as a stand-up comedian.
Wrestling Career Beyond his work in television and film, Shehadie has also engaged in professional wrestling. He competed under the ring name "The Wog Warrior" and has participated in various Australian independent wrestling circuits, often blending his comedic persona with his wrestling character.
Writing and Production As a writer and producer, Shehadie has contributed to the creative development of many of the projects in which he has starred. His input has been instrumental in shaping the distinctive style, humor, and cultural observations that characterize his most well-known works.