G’day and Happy Australia Day, mates! Australia’s got a LOT to love – from beautiful beaches to adorable kangaroos to righteous barbies – but did you know it’s also home to some of our favorite actors and actresses? I;m Scott and today, Scarlett Media presents a trip down under to celebrate 10 of the best Aussie actors out there – actors so good, they may have saved movies altogether
So have a go, ya mug – dig into your esky, smash down a tinny, and listen up – cus this list is ripper. And while you’re at it, go ahead and click those “like” and “subscribe” buttons, k mate?
10. Hugh Jackman
Long before Jackman was prisoner 24601 in Les Miserables, he was belting out tunes in Sydney, Australia, where he starred in his high school’s production of My Fair Lady. A natural performer, Jackman was born for a life of stardom. And hey – the actor is nothing if not versatile. I mean, who would have thought when the kid was singing on his high school stage that one day he’d be better known as Wolverine, the totally ripped, veiny superhero he played over the course of what – 17 years? We’re all grateful for the time we’ve spent watching Wolverine totally shred in the X-Men movies – and it’s even more fun to watch his savage portrayals of the super beast when you compare them to his clean-cut performance in The Greatest Showman. It’s not an easy feat moving between musicals and superhero blockbusters, but if anyone can do it, it’s Jackman.
9. Isla Fisher
This actress was actually born in Oman, but she moved to Perth, Australia at age 6 and identifies with the laid back Aussie lifestyle. Fisher began her acting career as a child actress on Australian television shows – so any Aussie viewers today might remember little Isla in Bay City and Paradise Beach. A hard worker and passionate creator, Fisher managed to publish two novels by the time she turned 18 – which she wrote while pursuing her acting career and attending school. Now, we know Isla as our favorite comedic red head, star of such swoony classics as Definitely, Maybe and Wedding Crashers and late-night comedy smash hit Hot Rod. Today, Fisher divides her time between London and Los Angeles with her husband Sacha Baron Cohen – but she identifies as Australian through and through.
8. Chris and Liam Hemsworth
These Melbourne brothers burst into the Hollywood scene around 2011, when Chris Hemsworth was cast as the lead role in Thor – a role that would put his name – or at least his striking good looks – on the map. That same year, Liam landed the role in Nicholas Sparks romance drama The Last Song, where he cried over Miley Cyrus for the very first time – in front
of audiences worldwide. Little did we know then that was just the beginning of an off and on again relationship that would provide us with some of our favorite juicy drama for years to come. These brothers rose to fame seemingly all at once in the same year as each other – a truly impressive feat that their parents must have been so proud of. Their third brother, Luke, on the other hand, is probably a little resentful. Poor Luke. Ah, mate, it’s okay, grab a coldie and cool off – she’ll be alright.
7. Eric Bana
Another strapping Melbourne mate, Eric Bana has starred in some of our favorite classics – from Hulk to Star Trek to Finding Nemo. Now, I think it’s safe to say that Bana has the best portrayal of Bruce Banner out there – we really feel for the big green guy when we watch
Bana’s emotional performance. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love me some Mark Ruffalo, but I’d choose Bana’s Hulk over Ruffalo’s any day of the week. Bana mostly made this list, though, because of his amazing portrayal as the shark in Finding Nemo. You know, the one who’s all “fish are friends not food.” Okay, wanna know something wild? That shark’s name is Bruce too! I guess Bana just has a Bruce vibe, huh?
6. Margot Robbie
Okay, so this is a surprising one. Robbie’s American accent is so convincing, that most people don’t realize she was actually born and raised in Australia! Robbie came into the spotlight with her tantalizing performance in Wolf of Wall Street as Leonardo DiCaprio’s second wife. Robbie first showed off her range when she transformed from the gorgeous socialite in Wall Street to the crazed, volatile Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad. And, by the way, I think it’s valid to argue that Quinn saved the heck out of Suicide Squad as basically the only memorable performance in the film – a performance that has become iconic and spawned inspiration for Harley Halloween costumes across America. Still, it wasn’t until I, Tonya that Robbie truly proved just how superb of an actress she really is. Her uninhibited performance is nothing short of triumphant – and I mean, come ON, how does she pull off that small town American twang So. Dang. Well?!
5. Toni Collette
Sydney born Toni Collette is yet another example of an Australian actress who has totally mastered the American accent. Is this taught in Australian schools or something? Do they have textbooks titled “How to Trick Americans into Thinking You’re One of Them?” Because I’m pretty sure after seeing Little Miss Sunshine, anyone would be shocked that Collette isn’t from small town USA. Collette is absolutely brilliant as Sheryl in Little Miss Sunshine – the hard-faced, tough love mom who turns out to have a whole lotta heart – enough to save the whole family from crumbling. Collette is also known for her role as the mother of creepy AF Haley Joel “I See Dead People” Osment in The Sixth Sense. And can I just say – Collette deserves mother of the year award for the weirdo kids she has to deal with in all these movies.
4. Nicole Kidman
Kidman was born in Hawaii but was raised in Sydney by her True Blue Australian Mom and Dad. The actress actually got her breakthrough role at the age of 16 in the remake of Australian Christmas classic, Bush Christmas which – sidenote – is probably the most Australian movie title I could possibly imagine. Kidman continued to star in Australian movies and tv shows until 1990, when she starred alongside then-husband Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder. Today Kidman is a smash success – a mega star who has saved more movies than we can count – including such hits as Stepford Wives, Moulin Rouge!, and I don’t know, ten million others? Kidman might be one of the most famous faces to come from Down Under. It’s nice to think it all started with the bush on Christmas.
3. Heath Ledger
Australia was also home to the world’s most beloved Joker, Heath Ledger. Ledger was born in Perth – where he starred in his first ever acting role as Peter Pan in his elementary school play. The rest, as they say, was history. From his heart pumping portrayal of brooding Patrick in 10 Things I Hate About You to his agonizing performances in The Dark Knight and Brokeback Mountain, Ledger saved movies time and time and time again. Ledger was known for playing pretty much any character he could get his hands on, and nailing his performance no matter what. Ledger will go down in history as one of the most iconic, beloved, and versatile actors of his generation.
2. Geoffrey Rush
One of the most talented actors of all time, Queensland native Geoffrey Rush is one of only 24 actors who has one the Triple Crown of Acting – an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony Award. Yeah, this guy’s the real deal, friends. Rush was poignant, moving, and brilliant in such films as Shakespeare in Love, The King’s Speech, and Shine – but I mean – he also played a pretty sweet pirate, am I right? I mean, sure, those other movies are important and classic and poetic and whatever, but who doesn’t love bat crazy Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean? Safe to say this guy can do it all. Thank you to Australia for raising him.
Okay, before we reveal the Australian actor who has saved the most movies, go ahead and click those “like” and “subscribe” buttons. You know you bloody want to, ay mate?
1. Cate Blanchett
Okay, so clearly there’s something in Australia’s water, because how can one country produce this many completely brilliant actors?! Blanchett hails from Ivanhoe, Victoria – and amazingly enough, her first breakout role was actually in a stage play starring alongside our good friend
Geoffrey Rush at the Sydney Theatre Company. It didn’t take long for Blanchett’s phenomenal acting skills to take her through the ranks and onto the silver screen. By 2001, the already acclaimed actress gained mainstream success as Galadriel in Lord of the Rings. Blanchett shines in whatever role she takes on – whether in quirky comedies like Where’d You Go, Bernadette or in devastatingly beautiful films like Elizabeth 1. Safe to say this Aussie gal has saved 100% of the
movies she’s been in – and she’s starred in pretty much every genre of movie there is. So, on this Australian Day, we reward Miss Blanchett with the number one spot on this list. Congrats, mate! What do you think of this list? Any other actors we should have mentioned? I mean, besides Russell Crowe – who we totally, um, did not forget about at all…I mean, he was born in New Zealand, so that doesn’t really count anyway right? But if there’s anyone else we didn’t mention, tell us in the comments below! Thanks so much for watching! With that, all there’s left to say is Happy Australia Day! Now, get to the barbie, you bogan!
Credits:
Writer: Laura Townsend
Editor: AB Scarlett
Voice: Scott | http://bit.ly/3bD679R
Video: @_FearOK
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