15 Australian actors who made it big in Hollywood

Hollywood, as we know, has an influx of actors from around the globe. It is not limited to geographical boundaries but expands with each passing day. It has witnessed talented geniuses from across the world with budding actors trying their luck and Australia has been the birthplace of some of the best talents in the acting world as we know it. Their performance has garnered the attention of viewers and has received several acclamations. In this article let's talk about some of the actors from Australia who made it big in Hollywood.

1) Cate Blanchett

Acclaimed for her roles in movies like Blue Jasmine and Carol, this Australian actor is well-known for playing diverse roles in her movies. Cate Blanchett was born on May 14, 1969, in Australia. She has won several awards throughout her acting career including two Academy Awards. She played the role of Elizabeth I in the movie Elizabeth which was her breakthrough in Hollywood. She won her first Academy Award for the movie The Aviator which acted as a boost to her career in Hollywood. She is well-known for her fashion sense apart from her acting.

2) Hugh Jackman

Philanthropic, versatile, and dedicated actor Hugh Jackman established himself in Hollywood with his breakthrough role in Oklahoma! in which he played the role of the cowboy Curly McClain. Born on October 12, 1968, in Australia, Hugh has received several awards for his performance including a Grammy Award for The Greatest Showman soundtrack. However, Hugh Jackman's role as Wolverine has become one of his most recognizable roles worldwide for which he has won several awards.

3) Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth has cemented his position in Hollywood as one of the most well-known actors. He played the role of Thor, the mighty God of Thunder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which has acted as a propelling factor for his career and also a breakthrough. His height of 6 feet and three inches makes him suitable for the role that he plays along with his versatile acting skills. He has won several awards including a People’s Choice Award and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award.

4) Margot Robbie

The journey of Margot Robbie’s success to becoming one of the most well-known actors in Hollywood is an inspiration for her fans. She was born on July 2, 1990, in Queensland, Australia. She rose to fame with her role in the movie The Wolf of The Wall Street. Consequently, she portrayed several acclaimed roles such as I, Tonya for which she received an Academy Awards nomination and two AACTA Awards for Best International Lead Actress. However, her most recent portrayal in the movie Barbie received worldwide recognition establishing Margot Robbie's global reputation.

5) Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger received worldwide recognition for his acting in the movie The Dark Knight where he played the role of Joker. His breakthrough movie was Brokeback Mountain. Heath Ledger started his career at a young age. He is well known for his versatility and dedication to acting. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Role in the movie The Dark Knight. He received nominations for the Golden Globe Awards for the best actor and BAFTA Award for Leading Role as well.

6) Geoffrey Rush

Geoffrey Rush, known for his multiple awards, is among the very few actors who have won the Triple Crown of Acting and also the only Australian to do so. Rush was born on July 6, 1951, and made a breakthrough in his acting career with his role in Shine for which he received an Academy Award. Apart from being a well-established actor, he is a proficient pianist. Alongside Cate Blancett, he was a part of the movie Elizabeth where he portrayed the role of Sir Francis Walsingham which got him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

7) Sam Worthington

Though born in England on August 2, 1976, Sam Worthington moved to Australia while he was still an infant and spent his formative years in Australia. He was part of several movies during his early years in Hollywood, but his role in Somersault won him the AFI Award for Best Lead Actor. However, the role as Jake Sully in the James Cameron science fiction movie Avatar gave him a breakthrough in worldwide recognition. Not only did Avatar become the highest-grossing film of all time, but it also brought numerous accolades to Sam Worthington.

8) Rod Taylor

The Australian actor who rose to fame in the 1950s and 60s appeared in more than 50 feature films with his acting prowess. Rod Taylor played the lead role of Mitch Brenner in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller The Birds, which won several awards, including nominations for the Academy Awards. Taylor was known for playing adventurous and physically strong characters. He was also offered the role of James Bond, which he regretted declining later.

9) Toni Collette

Born on November 1, 1972, Toni Collette is an Australian actor and producer. The 1994 Australian drama film Muriel's Wedding was a significant factor in the rise of Toni Collette's prominence as an actor. However, her performance in the 1999 thriller The Sixth Sense cemented her position in Hollywood. She received a nomination as well at the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for this movie. She was nominated twice for the British Academy Film Awards and won the Critics' Choice Award for her role in Little Miss Sunshine.

10) Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne's versatile acting received a breakthrough in Hollywood via her role in the movie The Goddess of 1967 bringing her the award of Volpi Cup for Best Actress. She was born on July 24, 1979, in Australia, and is known for her roles in movies like Bridesmaids and Insidious for which she has won the MTV Movie Awards and Fangoria Chainsaw Awards respectively. Byrne has also received several nominations including nominations for Golden Globe Awards.

11) Eric Bana

This Australian actor is known for his screen presence and acting prowess among the viewers. Born on August 9, 1968, he began his career in stand-up comedy and later garnered recognition with his breakthrough role in the movie Chopper with which he rose to fame. He also won several awards for this movie. His versatile acting skills in the movie Hulk where he performed the lead role of Bruce Banner along with his performance in the movie Black Hawk Down secured his position in Hollywood.

12) Joel Edgerton

Joel Edgerton is known for captivating his audience through his acting and storytelling skills. He received recognition from the Australian television series The Secret Life of Us, for which he received the AACTA Award. His career took a significant leap after he played the role of Owen Lars in the movie Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. However, his performance in King Arthur is acclaimed by viewers. He has also played a supporting role in many movies for which he has received several accolades such as The Great Gatsby and Animal Kingdom.

13) Guy Pearce

The receiver of several accolades throughout the three decades of his acting career Guy Pearce was born on October 5, 1967. For his debut television series Neighbours, he was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Awards. His acting career received a breakthrough with his role in the movie Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Throughout his acting career, he has portrayed versatility in choosing the roles that he performed, from drama, and action to period films his acting has shown proficient skills.

14) Ben Mendelsohn

Ben Mendelsohn is well-known for his negative roles. Movies like Animal Kingdom, Rogue One, and Una are some of the movies that showcase Ben Mendelsohn's best negative roles. He was born on April 3, 1969, in Australia. The movie Animal Kingdom gave him the breakthrough in his acting career. He received several awards along with a nomination for the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. He worked with Steven Spielberg for Ready Player One.

15) Simon Baker

Known worldwide for his performance in The Mentalist and The Guardian, Simon Baker achieved his dedicated fanbase through his comprehensive work and dedication. He got recognition for his role in the soap opera E Street. The Mentalist was the breakthrough of his career through which he received recognition worldwide. Throughout his career, he has received several nominations including Golden Globes, SAG, and Emmy Awards, and received several accolades.