Paul Hogan: The Crocodile Dundee Star Who Charmed the World

Many people know that the “Crocodile” Dundee character belongs to Paul Hogan. However, Hogan is much more than just a one-time hit phenomenon. He is a talented actor, writer, producer, and comedian who has given audiences a humorous and pleasant show for five decades.

Paul Hogan: From Rigger to Comedian

Paul Hogan was born on 8th October 1939 in Parramatta, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. He is an Irish from a working family. He dropped out of school at age 15 and worked at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where he developed his sense of humour and storytelling skills.

In 1971, Hogan made his first public appearance on Australian television on an amateur talent show, New Faces. He called himself a “tap-dancing knife-thrower” and made jokes to mock the judges. He was called back for more performances, and Mike Willesee, the host of A Current Affair, noticed him. Willesee gave Hogan an opportunity to make regular contributions to the show as a columnist using his typical bogan (ocker) style of speaking.

However, Hogan soon became a national icon in Australia and started his comedy program, the Paul Hogan Show, in 1973. He played, produced, and starred in his schedule with his companions, John Cornell and Delvene Delaney. It ran for 11 years and was a hit in Australia, the UK and South Africa.

READ MORE: ACACIA HONEY: HEALTH BENEFITS, HISTORY, COST, USES, BEST PLACES TO BUY IN THE UK

Journey From Crocodile Dundee to Hollywood

Paul Hogan finally made his international breakthrough in 1986 when he co-wrote and starred in Crocodile Dundee, a film inspired by the life of bushman Rod Ansell. Mick Dundee was a crocodile hunter played by Hogan and fell in love with an American journalist he followed to New York. The film was a significant hit and ended up having the second-highest gross in America after Top Gun.

His performance and screenplay earned Hogan critical acclaim. He got the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Paul was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He also shared with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn at the 59th Academy Awards.

Paul Hogan reprised his role as Mick Dundee in two sequels: Crocodile Dundee II (1988) and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001). He also played in other films like Almost an Angel (1990), Lightning Jack (1994), Flipper (1996) and Charlie & Boots (2009). He was also featured in Australian Tourism, Subaru Outback and Foster’s Lager advertisements.

READ MORE: VIKKI LAYTON: HUSBAND MARK SHELBY, DAUGHTER SOPHIA SHELBY

Personal Life and Legacy of Paul Hogan

Hogan has been married thrice and has six children. Noelene Edwards was his first wife, whom he married in 1958, divorced in 1981, and remarried in 1989. He married Linda Kozlowski, whom he met on the set of Crocodile Dundee in 1990. They divorced in 2014. He had married his third wife, Jennifer Babcock, in 2020.

Paul Hogan has been involved in several controversies with his taxes and finances. He has been one of the Australian celebrities in the Australian Taxation Office investigated for avoiding tax in 2006. In 2012, he denied any wrongdoing and settled the case. He sued Grill’d, an Australian company that sells burgers, in 2017 for using his image without permission.

Hogan is among the most popular entertainers and cultural icons of Australia. He has won several awards for his roles in films and tourism publicity. He became a member of the Order of Australia in 1985 and won Australian of the Year in 1986. Paul has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction to the Logie Hall of Fame—Subsection 1.

How is Paul Doing Nowadays?

Paul is still making a living as an actor and comedian. He appeared in the 2020 comedy movie The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, which saw him playing a fictionalized version of himself trying to get his career back. He also played in That’s Not My Dog!, a movie about Australian comedians joking.

Paul Hogan is an easy-going man who often makes fun of himself and loves his country. He once said, “I love Australia. I am just an average bloke who got lucky.” He also said: “I don’t think I am special or particularly talented in any way… just another bloke.” I’m very proud of it. He would tell me, “I think it is the best country in the world.”