Australian actor and screenwriter Paul Hogan, who gained worldwide popularity with the role of Dundee Crocodile from the film of the same name, for which he won a Golden Globe, in 1987, he turned 85.
He was born on 8 October 1939 in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia, and lived there before going to Sydney, where he worked as a painter on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. He became famous after giving a comedy interview on the TV show “Today Tonight“.
A little later, he commercialized his talent, creating his own sketch comedy show called “The Paul Hogan Show”, on which he produced, co-wrote and played some of the characters (along with actor John Cornell). The show, which ran for 60 episodes between 1973 and 1984, was hugely popular in its home country and in the UK, displaying its trademark pleasant and light-hearted humour. In 1985, he was awarded the prestigious “Australian of the Year” award, and was awarded the Order of Australia.
Paul Hogan makes an extremely successful advertisement for the brand of cigarettes “Winfield” in the 70s of the twentieth century. This brand campaign took market share from zero to market leader within a few years and Hogan became closely associated with this product.
In the early 1980s, Hogan filmed a series of television commercials promoting Australia's tourism industry that aired in the US.
Paul's first film is the adventure comedy “Crocodile Dundee“ (in English – Crocodile Dundee), in which he played an Australian hunter, was partly financed by Paul Hogan and a group of private investors, including entrepreneur Kerry Packer, and professional cricketers Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh. Hogan also wrote the screenplay.
The comedy became the most successful Australian film in history, and launched Paul's international film career.
Thanks to his excellent performance in the film, Paul won a “Golden Globe” for “Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy”, as well as a nomination for an Academy Award “Oscar“ for “Best Original Screenplay”, two BAFTA nominations (one each for “Best Actor” and for “Best Original Screenplay”).
After the success of “Crocodile Dundee”, Hogan also stars in the sequel film “Crocodile Dundee 2” (1988), and starred in other films such as: “Angel“, “Flipper“, “Jack the Flash“ and “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles“.
At the beginning of 2000, Hogan signed a contract with the Japanese car company Subaru, presenting the company's off-road vehicles.
In October 2008, Hogan filmed a new film in Australia, which also stars Dean Murphy and Shane Jacobson. The film is called “Charlie and the Shoes”, and was shot in the Echuca region of Victoria state, as well as surrounding areas.
Interestingly, Hogan has two marriages and two divorces with his first wife, Noweline. His second legal wife, with whom they also separated, is his on-screen partner from "Crocodile Dundee" Linda Kozlowski played the role of Sue Charlton. The star celebrating today has a total of six children.