Paul Hogan AM (b. 1939 )
1985 Award

Award Winning Actor

Paul Hogan grew up in Sydney and left school at 15 years of age. He took 25 different jobs until, as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, he was 'discovered' in 1972 on New Faces, a television talent quest. Although his 'typically Australian' working-class philosophy and ocker humour - showcased on the Paul Hogan Show - endeared him to popular audiences, the critics were generally impervious to his charms. Hogan also starred in television commercials. A cigarette advertisement which exhorted us to 'Anyhow, 'ave a Winfield' was one of the most successful marketing campaigns in Australian history. In 1984 Hogan made a series of tourist advertisements promoting Australia in the United States of America, which brought in such a flood of American visitors that he was made Australian of the Year.

His response to the award was typical 'Hoges'. 'Yeah, well I'm not insulted by it'. In 1986 he consolidated his high profile with his starring role in Crocodile Dundee - then the most commercially successful Australian film ever made - which he also co-wrote.