WHO WE ARE: The biggest stars in the southern sky

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

For the results of The Bogie Awards 2008, go to The Tribal Mind.

A column about Australia by David Dale, published in The Sun-Herald, 27/4/2008
Alright, if we can't agree on what is the greatest Australian movie ever made, perhaps we can agree on who is the greatest Australian actor. Last week this column sought your reaction to a remark by a spokesman for the prime minister that "without doubt" the best Australian movie ever made was The Man from Snowy River (despite the fact that 70 minutes go by before there is any movement at the station).

Most readers disagreed with the PM, but after that, the consensus broke down. Obviously this column's readers represent a fair sample of the Australian cinemagoing community, and that community has diverse tastes. This was how the voting went: 1 Chopper; 2 Lantana; 3 Breaker Morant; 4 Gallipoli; 5 Picnic at Hanging Rock; 6 The Castle; 7 Mad Max; 8 Muriel's Wedding; 9 Wake in Fright; 10 Don's Party; 11 A Town Like Alice; 12 The Club; 13 Kenny; 14 Romper Stomper; 15 Bad Boy Bubby.

Most of these films are more than 10 years old. As many readers remarked, Australian flicks these days are perceived as a reason not to go to the cinema. But we continue to admire our own actors, and it might be possible to achieve more agreement on who is the best of them.

As I remarked last week, box office success is not the same as quality, but to get you started, here's a list of the Australians who have been in movies which sold the most tikets around the world. (Pedant warning: In compiling this list, I have defined Australian as "spent the formative years of their career in this country". There is no need to tell me Russell Crowe was born in New Zealand, Sam Neill in Northern Ireland, Mel Gibson in New York, Nicole Kidman in Hawaii, Naomi Watts and Guy Pearce in Britain, and Hugo Weaving in Nigeria. This is a nation of immigrants.)

The most successful Australian actors of all time
1 Hugo Weaving (biggest international moneymakers included the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Matrix trilogy and Australian work includes Priscilla, Little Fish, The Interview, and Proof).
2 Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean, Munich, Shakespeare in Love, Shine, Lantana, Ned Kelly, Candy).
3 Mel Gibson (What Women Want, Braveheart, Lethal Weapon, Mad Max, The Year of Living Dangerously, Gallipoli, Tim)
4 Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Bicentennial Man, The Hunt For Red October, The Piano, My Brilliant Career, The Dish, Sirens, Little Fish, Dead Calm)
5 Nicole Kidman (The Golden Compass, Bewitched, The Hours, The Others, Batman Forever, To Die For, Days of Thunder, Moulin Rouge, Dead Calm, BMX Bandits)
6 Russell Crowe (Gladiator, American Gangster, Master and Commander, A Beautiful Mind, LA Confidential, The Sum of Us, Romper Stomper, Proof)
7 Cate Blanchett (Lord of the Rings, Elizabeth, The Aviator, Babel, Notes on a Scandal, Little Fish, Oscar and Lucinda. Discussing her latest film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Steven Spielberg said last week: "She's a very threatening villain. Of all the villains I've been able to work with in the Indiana Jones movies, I can say she's my favorite. And I think Cate made her that way. We gave her a template for this, but she invented the character.")
8 Eric Bana (Troy, Munich, Hulk, Black Hawk Down, Romulus My Father, Chopper, The Castle)
9 Toni Collette (The 6th Sense; Little Miss Sunshine, About A Boy, Muriel's Wedding, Japanese Story, The Black Balloon).
10 Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Van Helsing, Swordfish, Deception, Erskineville Kings, Paperback Hero.)
11 Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee, Strange Bedfellows)
12 Guy Pearce (Death Defying Acts, The Time Machine, Memento, LA Confidential, The Proposition,The Hard Word, Priscilla.)
13 Naomi Watts (King Kong, The Ring, Mulholland Drive, Ned Kelly, Gross Misconduct.)
14 Heath Ledger (Casanova, Brokeback Mountain, A Knight's Tale, Ned Kelly, Two Hands, Candy.)
15 Jack Thompson (Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Man From Snowy River, Breaker Morant, Sunday Too Far Away, Wake In Fright.)

Have I missed anybody? And is there a clear winner amongst that lot? Go to Comments to vote.

To learn about our all-time favourites from every country, go to The Films Australia loved

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). To discuss Australian attitudes, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Cate Blanchett is surely the clear winner amoungst that lot. She brings so much presence and charisma into every single role - perfect! But then again, we have a very fine lot of Australian actors who are all very charismatic too.

by Mungo on April 26, 2008 at 12:42 PM

While not the greatest, Heath Ledger's films are experiencing a new resurgence - to the point where there were media reports that his films have been moved from the cheap weekly section of some video stores into the premium newer section (overnight or 3 night hire for a much higher price). So in death, he may overtake others in terms of rental popularity. Also, with the new Batman movie soon to be released, with the predicted audience numbers, he could be making a significant jump up the list.

Also, while you have stated we are looking for Australia's "greatest actor", I think by limiting it to film, you are discounting the fabulous Rachel Griffiths, who was part of the amazing (and critically acclaimed and award winning) Six Feet Under and fabulous (and award winning and also critically acclaimed, although perhaps not as much as the former) Brothers and Sisters. She is also an Academy Award nominated actress, as well as Golden Globe and SAG award winner, as well as Emmy award nominated. As well as being part of some amazing films (Muriel's Wedding, Cosi, Best Friend's Wedding, Hilary and Jackie, Blow and Ned Kelly, quite a few of which were suggested above).

You also have Alan Dale, who was a long-running actor on Neighbours and has moved OS and is now a working actor on US television, including the OC, Lost, Ugly Betty, amongst others.

So, the question remains - do we include television actors? Becuase there are quite a few more, I'm sure, if we sit down and consider it...

by Beckala on April 26, 2008 at 09:17 PM

Sam Neill is a New Zealander

by AndyH on April 27, 2008 at 12:22 AM

My vote goes to Russell Crowe.

by rew on April 27, 2008 at 12:28 AM

You missed the best - Judy Davis.

by Martin Davies on April 27, 2008 at 12:41 AM

What about David Wenham? Lord of the Rings, 300, Moulin Rouge, Van Helsing - thats alot of box office! And then there is The Boys, Gettin Square, The Bank, Three Dollars etc in Australia

by David Tow on April 27, 2008 at 02:03 AM

Surely you've gotta go back to the golden years of Hollywood and mention Errol Flynn (Robin Hood) as the the original Aussie-Wood mega star.
I like the quiet achievers like John Meillion (The Third Wish and Crocodile Dundee)...
And it should be mentioned that Jackie Chan got the name "Jackie" while working as a brickie's labourer in Canberra.

by Thozza on April 27, 2008 at 02:09 AM

Sam Neill an Australian because he "spent the formative years of their career in this country"? Give me a break, he is a kiwi through and through and by my reckoning his only film in the early years in Australia was My Brilliant Career. I don't think he should be included in your list. Next think you'll be listing Ed Hillary and Aussie king of the mountain.

DD replies:: Australia is part of NZ anyway.

by Tom Higham on April 27, 2008 at 04:45 AM

People have very selective and short term memories. Without putting her in any order, surely such a list cannot ignore one of the first who led the Aussie push into Hollywood. Judy Davis! A great actress who plays many styles and genres. The other great pioneer of our film revival of the 70's is certainly Helen Morse.
And surely Peter Finch needs to be up there as one of the greatest of all time with a remarkable career and fantastic actor.

by Stephen Gee on April 27, 2008 at 06:06 AM

How could you not mention Richard Roxborough?

by Ged on April 27, 2008 at 06:46 AM

Our finest actor and actress would have to be Peter Finch and Judy Davis (her turn as Judy Garland was jaw-dropping, and no-one, anywhere, comes near her for "intense")
Our biggest star was indisputably Errol Flynn.
The one to watch? ...Brendan Cowell.

by Bill C. on April 27, 2008 at 07:00 AM

Geoffrey Rush without a doubt.
I agree with David Tow: what about David Whenam?

by Zoe Tweedale on April 27, 2008 at 07:05 AM

I think that Hugo Weaving is the best Australian actor. He is insanely talented - he can be put in almost any role.

by Samuel on April 27, 2008 at 07:12 AM

I think that Hugo Weaving is the best Australian actor. He is insanely talented - he can be put in almost any role.

by Samuel on April 27, 2008 at 07:12 AM

Mel Gibson is NOT an Aussie, he's a Yank. Errol Flynn was not an Aussie, he was a Tasmanian! :)

DD asks: So Sam Neill's alright, then?

by jack garbo on April 27, 2008 at 08:31 AM

Could we please take the NZs out of this. Sam Neill and Russell Crowe - hell Ruseel is part maori!! the ignorance of calling them Aus is really getting boring.

DD remarks: I was making the usual assumption that Australia is a province of NZ.

by David B on April 27, 2008 at 08:40 AM

For me the measure of an actor is their theatre performance and on that basis I put Geoffrey Rush at number one, just ahead of Hugo Weaving and Richard Roxburgh. Unfortunately I saw Cate Blanchett just before she became a star and whether it was the play, or the director or her... it just didn't work.

by AJ on April 27, 2008 at 08:52 AM

What about Rachel Griffiths? I know she's doing a lot of TV now but that no reason to forget her film career.... She's won a Golden Globe and been nominated for an Oscar....

by Tully on April 27, 2008 at 09:00 AM

There are four people I rate incredibly high in that list, Hugo Weaving, Geoffrey Rush, Cate Blanchett and Hugh Jackman. I could also include Eric Bana, but his the roles he's had in the larger international filmes don't quite fit him so well (Maybe his role in Star Trek might).
If I had to pick one person, it would be Hugo Weaving. I was lucky enough to work with him for two weeks on Priscilla and he's an amazing down to earth person. I think the range of emotion he was able to display in 'V for Vendetta' while always seeing an emotionless mask was great.
I'm a little unsure why 'V for Vendetta' was not included in the above list for him.

by Mark on April 27, 2008 at 09:39 AM

Also, Sam Neil was born in Northern Ireland. How about we say he's neither Australian nor a New Zealander?

by Mark on April 27, 2008 at 09:42 AM

Of course, judging 'the best' or 'the greatest' depends on how you define it. Personally I would give the award to Geoffrey Rush ( greatest actor) and Cate Blanchett (greatest actress), but I have always been impressed with Guy Pierce's ability to disappear into a role.
Actors like Nicholas Cage (to name only one) have one character: themselves.
The names and situations change, but the the person(ality) is the same. No so with actors like Rush and Pierce. This is what makes them great.
I remember once watching The Time Machine, Memento, LA Confidential, Priscilla and The Count of Monte Cristo all at around the same time and noticing that in those 5 movies Guy Pierce was different (and good) in every one. That's talent.

by cyberdjinn on April 27, 2008 at 09:44 AM

Australia is stealing all the talented New Zealanders obviously, and putting them on lists its terrible. Aoeteoroea oi oi oi.

by scally wag on April 27, 2008 at 10:16 AM

I go for Geofrry Rush, but we must not over look Richard Rogborough either.

by Suzie Q on April 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM

What about Rachel Griffiths? Although she has been concentrated in TV series like Six Feet Under and Brothers and Sisters, she was indeed an Oscar nominee for her portrayal of Hilary du Pre in Hilary and Jackie. So I think she should be on the list? Also she won an Emmy for her portrayal of Brenda in Six Feet Under.

by Haven Tso on April 27, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Judy Davis
Rachel Griffiths
Radha Mitchell (Melinda and Melinda)
Simon Baker
Melissa George
Abbie Cornish
Isla Fisher

by Research on April 27, 2008 at 12:09 PM

half the messages on here are people whinging about the nationalities of the actors on the list! how bout u all just answer the question that the forum poses and forget about the politics for once!
speaking of that, i think that by greatest, it must come down to 3 things; talent, star power and wealth. hands down, that has to be nicole kidman. not my personal favourite actor and maybe not as talented as others on the list, but she commands lots of power in hollywood, makes the big big bucks and more often than not her movies are a success. i must admit, however, that cate blanchett is catching her pretty fast, and will probably exceed her once the old guys that vote for the oscars do not unjustly deny her next time around.
most talented in this list for me is hugo weaving for sure, although he was born in africa *gasp* does he still count?

by Josh on April 27, 2008 at 12:18 PM

Looking at the responses so far, if I were a New Zealander, I wouldn't be quite so quick to claim ownership of Russell Crowe and Sam Neill ... look how many votes they've got!

by David on April 27, 2008 at 12:36 PM

yes i immediately wondered where erol flynn was on the list.

by bam bam on April 27, 2008 at 01:38 PM

Russell Crowe and Sam Neil are, as far as I am aware, not Australian citizens. They are New Zealand citizens who have never taken out Australian citizenship. So, why are they on the list of Australian actors?

by bazza of the nt on April 27, 2008 at 01:39 PM

Hard to see how anyone could go past Cate Blanchett, with Geoffrey Rush a close second. My criteria would be talent and recognition, not so much "star power". Not that stats mean much, but to illustrate how they've been recognised, Cate B has won 54 international and Australian awards and been nominated for 55 others according to imdb.com - including 2 Golden Globe wins + 5 nominations, 2 BAFTAs and 2 nominations, and 1 Oscar + 3 nominations (any of which could easily have won). Geoffrey R. has bagged 28 wins and 26 nominations, incl. 2 Golden Globes + 2 nominations, 2 BAFTAs + nominations, 1 Oscar plus 2 nom's (incl. for Quills, a great performance as Marquis de Sade, which you've left off the list). Nicole also has a good case - 31 wins + 48 nominations, having been nominated for 7 G. Globes, winning 3 (you've omitted Cold Mountain, Billy Bathgate, The Peacemaker, Dogville and Eyes Wide Shut, and Margot at the Wedding, from films she's been nominated for). Russell C. has won a similar amount of recognition to G. Rush, perhaps its just personal preference and deference to highly strung Kiwi sensitivities that doesnt put him up with Geoff and Nic at no. 2. Judy Davis, great actress that she is, has racked up a lot of awards for TV performances, not too many for movies, and she's been around longer. Of the rest, none get half the numbers won by this lot for acting (Mel Gibson got a few for directing), including Peter Finch, who's only marginally more Aussie than Sam Neill. Of course, it really comes down to subjective preference, not numbers of awards, and "star quality" can give greater opportunities to some and fewer to others (e.g. Hugo Weaving). But I'm happy that the awards back up my own preference for Cate Blanchett. And Spielberg's enthusiasm is shared by many directors.

by David Richardson on April 27, 2008 at 01:51 PM

Josh doesn't go far enough - nationality simply doesn't count here because most of the names on the list aren't good Australian actors but just good actors. Apart from Paul Hogan, every name on the list has non-Australian themed titles on their resume, and the inclusion of American Gangster, Munich, Batman Forever, The Aviator, Black Hawk Down and Star Wars makes accent irrelevant - no-one would try to claim Aussieness for Daniel Radcliffe after December Boys or Meryl Streep after Evil Angels (I hope). And in defence of Kiwis, I have to add Andrew Niccol and Jane Campion to the bloglist, not because of any runaway successes but because they've achieved an amazing feat: they're both fantastically good but we haven't yet started pretending they're Australians. Admittedly both directors/writers (albeit several actors on your list also have been), but we need to look behind the camera more often.

by Nicholas on April 27, 2008 at 01:53 PM

I'm glad to see you all are remembering actors from years gone by. I remember Rod Taylor too. The original 'Time Machine' and Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds'. Still gives me shivers now.

by Liz on April 27, 2008 at 02:39 PM

I heard Russell Crowe call himself an Aussie on an American talkback show a few years back. Good enough for me - he came to Oz when he was 12 or so, anyway.

But same Neil is a Kiwi, even though he made plenty of movies in Oz.

I'd vote for Geoffrey Rush.

by Jezuz on April 27, 2008 at 03:18 PM

Hard to choose...but im biased in that i know Hugo Weaving's children, not to mention that the LOTR movies are Awsome!!! So my vote goes to Hugo. (how can you NOT vote for a heterosexual dragqueen??!)

by Chloe on April 27, 2008 at 03:44 PM

Anthony La Paglia - an amazing Australian actor - one of the few to succeed on Broadway.

by nathalie on April 27, 2008 at 04:06 PM

Risking accusations of extreme nerdiness, I would add the long list of films Cate Blanchett has won significant awards or been nominated for - some of them may be unheralded or forgotten, but it just underlines the sheer range of her performances. She's won for: Elizabeth, The Aviator, I'm Not There, The Man Who Cried, Little Fish, Thank God He Met Lizzie, The Lord of the Rings 1, Heaven, The Shipping News, The Good German & Bandits. She's been nominated for Notes on a Scandal, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Veronica Guerin, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Coffee and Cigarettes, An Ideal Husband, The Missing, The Gift, Oscar and Lucinda & Charlotte Gray. Plus ensemble cast awards/nominations for Babel ,The Lord of the Rings 2 & 3, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. 25 films in all, included portraying 9 Americans, 5 Brits, 2 Aussies, 1 German, Canadian, Russian & an Irishwoman, a fairy and a man. And as the M.C. said at the Oscars, probably the dog in 'No Country for Old Men' as well. Q.E.D?

by David Richardson on April 27, 2008 at 04:38 PM

Uhhh... RACHEL GRIFFITHS??!?! HELLLOOO??
Golden Globe winner
Emmy Award nominee
Academy Award nominee
Muriel's Wedding
My Best Friend's Wedding
Blow (with Johnny Depp)
Ned Kelly
Six Feet Under (Golden Globe)
Brothers and Sisters
She's even the narrator for the Audio/Visual Tour at the Sydney Opera House! Come on......

by Bobby on April 27, 2008 at 05:10 PM

Has anyone heard of an Aussie bloke called Bryan Brown?
Doesn't look like it.
The iconic, laconic Aussie larrikin, if ever there was one.

by Michael on April 27, 2008 at 05:45 PM

dude, how can u forget judy davis? and what about richard roxborough? i would understand if he was disqualified for his work in Van Helsing, but come on, if casanova was considered a movie worth mentioning as a major film, old dick should get up there. thinking about men with sandy hair, what about good old dave wehnam? his stint in Lotr should surely gain a mention.

by gen wilks on April 27, 2008 at 08:45 PM

I would like to defend the so-called pedants - I believe that as far as trivia goes, it is quite interesting to find out where actors are born. Hugo Weaving was a new one to me. I would like to add to the pedants-list that Isla Fisher and Alan Dale (mentioned in others' comments) were born in Oman and New Zealand respectively.
Having said that, it is often quite ridiculous to equate birthplace with nationality. I am quite prepared to accept Russell Crowe made his name as an Australian actor, although I am grateful when there is some mention that he was New Zealand born. I think claiming Sam Neill and Mel Gibson is a bit of a stretch though, as was including The Piano as an Aussie film.

But if you are sick of New Zealanders whinging about Australians unfairly claiming their actors (as I am, and I apologise on behalf of my countryfolk who feel the same way), then you could perhaps point out to them that the only two "NZ" actors who stood a chance at the Academy Awards in recent years, Anna Paquin and Keisha Castle-Hughes, were Canadian and Australian born respectively.

Add to that Sam Neill (born to a New Zealand army officer father serving in Northern Ireland) and one of my favourite New Zealand directors, Australian Roger Donaldson, and you should be able convince any true NZ pedants out there that it goes both ways.

Incidentally, I noticed that George Lazenby hasn't been included in the list. I wouldn't put him near the top of the list, but he has been in a couple of popular films. And there hasn't been a NZ James Bond (yet)! Although Martin Campbell has directed the best two recent Bond films (Goldeneye and Casino Royale), and Lee Tamahori's Die Another Day was fun, if flawed.

by Steven on April 27, 2008 at 08:47 PM

International Trailblazers:

Errol Flynn - Robin Hood
Peter Finch - A Town Like Alice
Rod Taylor - The Birds

Modern Mega Stars:

Mel Gibson - Gallipoli
Russell Crowe - Blood Oath
Nicole Kidman - BMX Bandits
Cate Blanchett - Babel
Eric Bana - The Castle
Sam Neil - The Dish
Heath Ledger - Ned Kelly
Hugh Jackman - X-Men

Quintessential Aussies:

Paul Hogan - The Anzacs
Jack Thompson - Breaker Morant
Bryan Brown - Dead Heart
Tom Burlinson - The Man From Snowy
Sigrid Thornton - The Light Horse
Charles Bud Tingwell - Desert Rats
Bill Hunter - Strictly Ballroom

Gravitas Collection:

Judy Davis - My Brilliant Career
David Gulpilil - 10 Canoes
Leo McKern - The Shoes of the Fisherman
Geoffrey Rush - Shine
David Wenham - Molokai
Toni Collette - Muriel's Wedding
John Meillion - Crocodile Dundee

by Thozza on April 27, 2008 at 09:07 PM

In terms of having a presence in succesful films what about Bruce Spence: 2 of the Mad Max films, Finding Nemo, 1 of the Lord of the Rings, Dark City, the new Baz Luhrmann, one of the bad Star Wars prequels, a Matrix fiilm...

by jacqui on April 27, 2008 at 09:31 PM

I'm not sure why you have to be a mega Hollywood star to be considered a great actor. There is some amazing Aussie talent - I'm talking some of the best actors going - who haven't made the move to Hollywood ie Dave Field (remember Ghosts of the Civil dead?);Brendan Cowell (seen Noise?); Steve Le Marquand (seen Last Train to Freo - also Tom Budge from the same flick); Ben Mendelsohn; Miranda Otto; Geoff Morrrell; Tony Hayes...all actors who haven't had the exposure that Hugh Jackman ( I'm sorry but he couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag) or Nicole Kidman (looks terrific but is virtually talentless) have been lucky enough to stumble across. It shouldn't be all about star power or the $ - how about simple, raw acting talent on its own?

by David Hartcher on April 27, 2008 at 10:29 PM

surely we are over claiming every star who ever put a foot on Australian soil as Australian. Lets leave Mel Gibson out. He was born in NY, he isnt an Australian citizen, hasnt made an Australian movie since Mad Max, speaks with an American accent, doesnt visit Australia. I could go on. He is about as Australian as the Bee Gees ie. came from somewhere else, had their first success here and then left for good. By the same token Rusty may be a Kiwi by birth and upbringing but he at least has shown some commitment.

by BoboftheNorth on April 27, 2008 at 10:54 PM

What about Wendy Hughes ?

by Frank C. on April 27, 2008 at 11:19 PM

Cate Blanchett has to be the top Oz actor for me. She is brilliant and I am a big fan.
As for male actors - I like Geoffery Rush best out of that lot as far as a fine actor goes.
But for the mere hot factor I would have to say Hugh Jackman who is my favorite hunk. And a pretty damn fine actor too. Saw his new film Deception over the weekend. Not the sort of part Hugh usually has and not a great movie but quite enjoyable never the less.
And as to one's you left out ? How about David Wenham and William McInness. Both damn good actors. McInness (not sure of spelling) showed what a fine actor he was when he played John Curtin last year.

by em on April 28, 2008 at 09:33 AM

I read with interest the choices for Best Aussie actor and I would like to add my vote for John Meillon. Yes I am his son, however I base my comments on his body of work including The Fourth Wish, The Picture Show Man, Crocodile Dundee 1 and 2, On The Beach, The Sundowners, Wake in Fright, Walkabout and around another 40 feature films. He won crirical acclaim and many awards for sevceral films in the 70/80s, worked in England for 6 years in the 50's and sixties, was one of Australia's finest radio actors and was without doubt the biggest TV star in the land through the sixties thanks to My Name McGooley, What's Yours?. The other names that appear missing from the list might include Academy Award winner Peter Finch, all Aussie here Errol Flynn and the quintessential Chips Rafferty. All may be gone now ,but surely they should not be forgotten as the true pioneers of the Australian Film Industry in the last half of the 20th century.

by john Meillon jnr on April 28, 2008 at 01:06 PM

Are we talking "greatest" or "been in most blockbusters" here? The above list leaves out fantastic actors like Judy Davis - because she does smaller films very very well but includes Paul Hogan who made a good Crocodile Dundee but as an actor he's an excellent scriptwriter.

My vote for best is probably Blanchett, Rush and Weaving. The sheer versatility of their work - even in crap films - is amazing. I've also seen both Blanchett and Weaving on stage and they blow you away.

...and for the "Mel Gibson isn't Australian" crowd, Mel's career would be nowhere without NIDA and Mad Max - both Australian icons. And we'll be generous about Rusty Crowe. He's an Australian actor, but a New Zealand rockstar! (Russ Le Roq anyone!)

by Ozpuck on April 28, 2008 at 01:23 PM

Charles "Bud" Tingwell - how quickly we forget those with longevity.......

by AJ on April 28, 2008 at 04:21 PM

Has anyone else notice the fact that in almost every good/successful movie there is an Australian involved somewhere? Or is this just me? Examples include POTC, LOTR, The Matrix, V for Vendetta (Hugo Weaving and Australian director), Babel, The Prestige, even the Truman Show (director)... or is this just movies I like?. Heck, theres a guy from Playschool in Starwars. But it seems to me that we are punching well above our weight and its time we got some serious recognition! who's with me?! Geoffrey Rush followed by Hugh Jackman and David Wenham are my favourite Aussie male actors, Toni Collette my favourite female actor.

by Alex on April 28, 2008 at 04:34 PM

I'm shocked and dismayed that no-one has even mentioned Chips Rafferty....

by Shoopie on April 28, 2008 at 05:24 PM

In fact, Alex, I've long argued that it's Australians, not Americans, who are actually taking over the world. Look at how we've infiltrated Hollywood? Look at how many times Australia gets mentioned on television shows from overseas? Look at all the places in the world that held Anzac Day ceremonies. We've even started our infiltration of European royalty. I'm sure someone could find a conspiracy here somewhere.

by genfie on April 29, 2008 at 10:33 AM

Cate Blanchett has to be the best of the current crop, closely followed by Hugo Weaving. Cate edges out the others in Oscar nominations, the fact that she was born, bred & currently lives in Australia and that she is a relative chameleon with her roles and she is paid very nicely with reasonable box office clout.

By the way, you left off Noah Taylor: The quiet achiever. Although, born in England , his parents are Australian. Like Cate, he has not only starred in small indie Australian films but big blockbusters as well . He may not get the glamorous perfume endorsements that Nicole gets but then that adds to his acting credibility the more, doesn't it?

by Kate on April 29, 2008 at 09:51 PM

Thank god someone finally mentioned Bryan Brown, also Peter Finch and Judy Davis need to be on any LIST. From the stated list 1. Jack Thompson, 2. Geoffrey Rush, and 3. Russell Crowe

by Libby zidaru on April 30, 2008 at 08:16 AM

sam neil ia a kiwi and also russel crowe.
We don't need to include them and also we don't need them.

by graham on May 04, 2008 at 03:38 PM

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