Famous Australian Celebrities: A Match Quiz

Answer: Geoffrey Rush

A bit of a late bloomer was Mr Rush. Known in his profession in his early days as a stage actor, particularly in Shakepearean productions, Mr Rush made his film debut in 1981 in "Hoodwink". He only starred in one more film role in 14 years before his multi-awarded breakout role in "Shine" (1995).

He won the Oscar for Best Actor in that role as well as comparable awards for the same role in other jurisdictions. Since then he has appeared in a myriad of roles and is one of Australia's most endeared actors.

Answer: Paul Hogan

Paul Hogan started his working life as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He was interviewed on a current affairs show in 1971, and his comedy career took off. In the 70s, he gained fame firstly as a typical Austrlian larrikin in his own TV comedy show and as a "working man" in television commercials for an Australian brand of cigarette, and later for Australian Tourism.

He shot to international fame as a movie star in 1985 as the eponymous "Crocodile Dundee", a role he played twice more in sequels. Mr Hogan also hosted the Academy Awards in 1987 and is an Australian of the Year.

Answer: Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin was born in 1962. He was a wildlife expert, conservationist and a television presenter. He and his wife owned the Australia Zoo north of Brisbane. He trapped crocodiles with his wife on their honeymoon. The filming of same became the first episode of "The Crocodile Hunter", a hugely popular TV show in Australia and later the US.

He was filming a stingray from behind off Queensland's coast in 2006 when his heart was pierced by a barb from the stingray. He was only 44 when he died.

Answer: Mel Gibson

Mel Gibsom was born in upstate New York in 1956 and moved to Australia with his family when he was twelve. "Mad Max" (1979) was Mr Gibson's second film role. He was paid $15000 for the role. He played the role twice more. Known mainly as an action hero because of his popularity in the "Lethal Weapon" movie series, he won Oscars for Best Director and Best Movie (but not Best Actor) for "Braveheart" 1995).

Answer: Nicole Kidman

Born in Hawaii to Australian parents in 1967, Ms Kidman first lived in Australia when she was four years old. While she played in leading roles in Australian productions, it wasn't until she played opposite soon to be first husband Tom Cruise in 1990's "Days of Thunder" that she received international fame.

She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for "To Die For" (1995). She won another for "Moulin Rouge" (2001) and gained her first Acadeny Award nomination for Best Actress for the same movie. She went one better the next year winning the Oscar for Best Actress for "The Hours" (2002).

She married Keith Urban in 2006 after Cruise filed for divorce in 2001.

Answer: Toni Collette

Toni Collette was born in 1972 in Sydney. Her breakthrough role was in "Muriels's Wedding" (1994), a feel-good movie that has been seen by nearly half the population of Australia. Its soundtrack caused a revival of Abba music in Australia. She was nominated for an Academy Award playing opposite Bruce Willis in "The Sixth Sense" (1999).

She played opposite Hugh Grant in "About a Boy" (2002).

Answer: Cathy Freeman

Cathy Freeman was born in Mackay, north Queensland in 1973. She first came to national attention when she won the Commonwealth Games 400 metres gold medal in 1990, aged 16. She won a silver medal for the same event in the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996.

In 2000, when the Olympics were held in her own country in Sydney, there was enormous pressure on her as she was expected to win the gold medal for the 400 metres. She won and admitted that the first thing she felt was relief. In 2007, she implemented the Cathy Freeman Foundation, a charity to assist in reducing the gap in educational outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous children.

Answer: Dame Edna Everage

John Barry Humphries was born in 1934. He has had a varied career including, comedian, playwright, television and stage actor and satirist. He had a renowned career in London's West End musical theatre environment. He was best known for his satirical characters such as Sir Les Patterson, Barry McKenzie and Edna (later Dame Edna) Everage.

This latter character was his most enduring creation and was originally a parody of the Australian suburban housewife who evolved into Dame Edna who parodied the glamorous life of an actress/celebrity.

Answer: Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett was born in Melbourne in 1969. One of Australia's most accomplished actresses, she made a name for herself playing real life roles such as Queen Elizabeth I (twice, and Oscar nominated both times for the same role), Bob Dylan and Katharine Hepburn.

In the latter role, she was the first person to win an Oscar for portraying another Oscar winner when she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Aviator" (2004). She won an Oscar for Best Acrtress for playing the title role in "Blue Jasmine" (2013).

Answer: Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman, born in Sydney in 1968, is one of Australia's most respected stars. A renowned thespian who won a Tony Award in 2004, the first Australian to do so, for portraying Peter Alllen, another Australian, in the Broadway production of "The Boy from Oz".

He also made a name for himself in "X-Men" (1999), a role he reprised in 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2011. He has hosted both the Tony Awards and the Academy Awards in the past.