Osher Gunsberg: Mental Health, Name Change, and Family

When you see Osher Gunsberg on TV, you might not guess the man behind the smile has fought battles most of us can’t imagine. Born Andrew Günsberg on 29 March 1974, he later changed his name to Osher—a Hebrew word meaning happiness—as part of a personal transformation that turned him from radio host Andrew G into a mental health advocate.

Born: 29 March 1974 · Former Stage Name: Andrew G · Known For: Australian Idol · Mental Health Advocate: Yes · Podcast: Better Than Yesterday

Six key facts draw a clear portrait of the man behind the microphone.

What illness does Osher Gunsberg have?

OCD

• Gunsberg has spoken publicly about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (Wikipedia)
• He described his OCD as a driver of his perfectionism and a source of mental distress (ABC listen)

Addiction

• He has been open about his history of alcoholism and substance use (Wikipedia)
• In 2014, after a period of heavy drinking, he experienced hallucinations in Venice Beach, Los Angeles (ABC listen)

The implication: For Gunsberg, illness was not a label but a catalyst. His willingness to name both OCD and addiction broke a taboo that still surrounds male mental health in Australia.

Why did Osher Günsberg change his name?

Stage name Andrew G

• Early in his radio career, he was told his surname “Günsberg” would not work well on air, so he adopted the stage name Andrew G (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• He used Andrew G for nearly two decades, becoming a familiar face on Australian Idol (ABC listen)

Personal and spiritual reasons

• He changed his name to Osher at age 38, saying it was a return to his true identity (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• Osher is a Hebrew word meaning “happiness” (ABC listen)
• He cited advice from a shaman in Tel Aviv who told him that “names affect how people live” (Osher Günsberg Tumblr)

The pattern: Gunsberg’s shift from Andrew G to Osher mirrors his shift from a performer who hid his struggles to a public figure who owns his story.

Why does Osher Gunsberg wear nail polish?

Self-expression

• Gunsberg has explained that wearing nail polish is a form of self-expression and a way to challenge traditional gender norms (Osher Gunsberg Instagram)

Mental health symbol

• He has linked the habit to his OCD, describing it as a small act of control and a daily reminder to stay present (ABC listen)

The catch: While the exact reason remains personal, the nail polish has become a visual signature of his refusal to conform—a small but visible act of defiance against the pressures of his industry.

What mental health issues has Osher spoken about?

OCD

• He has discussed his obsessive-compulsive disorder in multiple interviews and his memoir (Wikipedia)

Anxiety

• He has spoken about social anxiety disorder, which made public appearances challenging (ABC listen)

Addiction

• He has been candid about his alcohol addiction and the resulting psychosis (Wikipedia)

The trade-off: By sharing his own battles, he has normalized conversations about mental health—but it has also meant living his most private struggles in the public eye.

Who is Osher Gunsberg’s first wife?

Audrey Griffen

• Gunsberg’s first wife was Audrey Griffen (Wikipedia)
• Their marriage ended, and he later married actress Rachel Corbett in 2019 (ABC listen)

The implication: The dissolution of his first marriage coincided with the period of his worst mental health struggles, suggesting a link between personal crisis and the breakdown of relationships.

For Gunsberg, the choice to be open about his struggles has turned him into a beacon for others facing mental health challenges. For Australian audiences, his story is a reminder that recovery is possible, and that vulnerability can be a strength. The consequence for a society that still stigmatizes mental illness: a prominent voice that refuses to stay silent.