Australia has produced some of the world's most talented actors. Many became famous in Australia before becoming Hollywood icons and international superstars.
Here, we've picked a range of classic actors from the dawn of Australian cinema to contemporary superstars.
We can't list all the most famous actors (or actresses) in Australia, but these should be some that regularly feature on most people's lists.
Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn was a huge star during the Golden Age of cinema.
He was famous for swashbuckling roles in Hollywood movies like Captain Blood (1935) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).
He was born in Tasmania but became a household name worldwide, cementing his place in global cinematic history.
He was one of Australia's earliest international stars.
Peter Finch
Though born in London, Peter Finch was raised in Australia.
This Oscar-winning actor was best known for his role in Network (1976), a classic Australian film, for which he was given the Academy Award posthumously, the first actor to ever receive the award in this way.
He was also in Australian films like Kangaroo (1952) and The Shiralee (1957), which showcased his versatility as an actor and his ability to take on complex roles.
Geoffrey Rush
Another of Australia's most celebrated actors, Geoffrey Rush, has impressed audiences on the big screen, small screen, and stage.
His portrayal of pianist David Helfgott in Shine (1996) earned him the Academy Award, though younger audiences may be more familiar with his work as Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean series of films.
His work includes both dramatic and comedic roles.
He's one of an elite group of actors to have won the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, and Tony), which is one shy of an EGOT.
Hugh Jackman
From his role as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise to musical roles in Les Misérables (2012) and The Greatest Showman (2017), Hugh Jackman is a household name worldwide. His versatility as an actor, playing serious, comedic, and even musical theatre roles, has earned him several awards.
Heath Ledger
He's famous for portraying The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008), the movie for which he earned his Oscar.
However, he's also known for Brokeback Mountain (2005) and A Knight's Tale (2001).
These two very different films showcase his range and ability as an actor.
He passed away in 2008, at the age of just 28, and is remembered as one of Australia's most talented and beloved actors, whose career was definitely cut short.
Heath Ledger is another Australian actor who was posthumously given an Academy Award.
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth is most famous for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Outside of the MCU, his other acting credits include films like Rush (2013) and In the Heart of the Sea (2015).
His charisma and versatility have helped make him one of Australia's top Hollywood exports.
His brothers, Liam and Luke, are both successful actors, though arguably not at the level of Chris.
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson was born in the US but raised in Australia after his family moved to Sydney when he was young. His acting career also began in Australia, and his breakout role in Mad Max helped launch his career
It also helped put Australian New Wave cinema, the product of some of Australia's finest directors, on the map.
In Hollywood, he gained success with movies like Lethal Weapon (1987) and won Academy Awards for his role in Braveheart (1995).
Eric Bana
Eric Bana started his career in comedy before shifting to more dramatic roles.
His international career was launched by his performance in Chopper (2000), one of Australia's best films. He also appeared in films like Black Hawk Down (2001) and Munich (2005).
A highly respected actor, Bana is most famous for his intense and diverse roles. In 2019, He was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to drama.
Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce was born in England but raised in Australia.
Like many Australian actors, he appeared on Neighbours before becoming a major figure in Australian cinema.
His notable film performances include L.A. Confidential (1997), Memento (2000), and The King's Speech (2010).
Ben Mendelsohn
Ben Mendelsohn is a character actor famous for his roles in films like Animal Kingdom (2010) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). His performances are most notable for being intense and embodying dark, complex characters.
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi is one of Australia's newer stars famous for his role in Euphoria (2019).
He's also appeared in The Kissing Booth series and is known as a charismatic and talented actor.
He has a bright future ahead of him.
David Gulpilil
David Gulpilil was an Indigenous Australian actor who profoundly impacted cinema in Australia and around the world.
He was famous for his authentic portrayals of Indigenous characters and rose to fame with his performance in Walkabout (1971).
He also had standout performances in films like Storm Boy (1976), The Last Wave (1977), and Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002).
His performances helped offer insights into Indigenous culture and earned him many awards, making him a cultural icon in Australian cinema.
Bryan Brown
Bryan Brown is an Australian actor famous for his work in film and television.
He often plays rugged characters.
He rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in Breaker Morant (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983), earning a Golden Globe nomination for the latter.
He's appeared in Australian and international productions, including Gorillas in the Mist (1988) and Australia.
He's a versatile actor with an iconic voice.
Simon Baker
Simon Baker is likely best known for his role as Patrick Jane in the popular television series The Mentalist.
Born in Tasmania, he started his acting career on Australian television before finding success in Hollywood.
He starred in films like The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and Margin Call (2011).
Like many other Australian actors, he transitioned from Australian soaps to American prime-time television.
Richard Roxburgh
Richard Roxburgh is a popular Australian character actor whose acting credits include many film and television roles.
He gained international recognition for his role as the villainous Duke in Moulin Rouge! (2001) and his role in Van Helsing (2004).
In Australia, he also starred in the television series Rake, where he played a maverick lawyer.
He brings humour, intensity, and depth to the characters he plays.
He is a memorable figure in both Australian and global cinema.
Learn More about Australian Cinema with a Private Tutor
Australia has always produced incredibly talented actors. While we can't list all of them here, we hope this list has introduced you to some new ones. Please let us know in the comments if you think we missed any.
Whether you want to act, learn more about the history of Australian cinema, or get into filmmaking, plenty of talented tutors on the Superprof website are ready to help you.
You can browse their profiles today by searching for what you want to learn. Many offer the first session for free, so you can try some before choosing the right one.
Face-to-face tutors are best for hands-on learners, but an online tutor will usually be cheaper since they can schedule more sessions each week and don't have to travel to their students.
For those on a really tight budget, consider group tutoring, where you can share the cost of tutoring with other students.
There's a tutoring solution for every level and budget so be sure to consider your options first!
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