Australian actors have held a heavy presence in Hollywood since Errol Flynn became the first Aussie to become a major movie star in the 1930s. Like many of the continent’s most famous actors, Flynn was well known for his preternatural good looks, poise, and ability toinhabit the American dialectin a way that made audiences assume he was a Yank. Since then, a pipeline has been tunneled from the Land Down Under straight through the Earth’s core to the welcoming shores of Hollywood. Look at any recent decade — Mel Gibson in the ’80s, Nicole Kidman in the ’90s, Heath Ledger in the 2000s — there have always been major Hollywood stars hailing from Australia.
Through the process of this Australianacting dominance in Hollywoodhas emerged a lineage of some of showbiz’s most awarded and heralded celebrities, creating an assumption of talent that this ocean-locked country will always be expected to provide for American (and global) audiences. Still, when speaking of sheer acting talent, Australia ranks much higher, proportionately, in the pantheon of Western film than it’s small populous would imply, as actors have proven to be the country’s greatest exports.
The following are Australia’s 21 greatest acting imports.
21Rose Byrne
Rose Byrnehad some early success in Australian features, but “never got a call back” after making initial contact with an American agent, according to her recent interview onSmartless. Undeterred, the young actress landed some big roles inStar Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones, andTroy, opposite Brad Pitt. Her incredible skill for dialect had everyone guessing as to her nationality as she became a recognizable face, before roles in ginormous movies likeBridesmaidsshowed her undeniably-broad acting range.
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20Rebel Wilson
Arguably Australia’s greatest comedic import since, well,Crocodile Dundee,Rebel Wilsonis 1 of 1 when it comes to her individuality as a comedic talent. Her sole, hilarious scene inGhost Ridersignaled her completely unique humor, and set up a career-elevating role inBridesmaidsonly a few years later. Then came 2012,which saw the young actress land defining rolesinPitch PerfectandIce Age: Continental Drift— making her the impressive comedic commodity of today. With her continued high-profile voice roles and hilarious appearances in comedy, she has become a national treasure back home in Oz.
19Noah Taylor
Noah Taylor’s early role in the unforgettable Australian coming-of-age filmFlirting(which also introduced many audiences to Nicole Kidman) signaled to the world a unique talent, as the young actor played a bullied outcast in the standout indie film. He stayed very much in that lane for his continued career, making memorable appearances for directors like Wes Anderson and Cameron Crowe during his ascendance, as well as homegrown films likeThe Proposition. Taylor projects menace like few actors can, and has crossed over into mainstream films, often playing the role of the villain.
18Joel Edgerton
Joel Edgertonfirst gained star traction to international audiences in standout supporting roles in big budget American franchises likeStar Wars, but didn’t become a huge name in America (or back home) until a two-year run that included the Aussie heist filmAnimal KingdomandWarrior —showing his penchant for characters whose machismo belies their sensitivity. That has become a calling card for the actor, who continues to play tough guys with a soft interior.
2021’sThe Stranger, an Australian drama that won American distribution via Netflix, was a coming out party for Edgerton as an actor’s actor, whose macho appeal turned out to be typecasting, as we saw his deft touch for imbuing anxiety in his roles, while maintaining his reputation for deadly characters.
17Eric Bana
Eric Banawas such a unique talent that, with only two Australian features under his belt, Ridley Scott included him in the now legendary cast ofBlack Hawk Down. Truly a director’s actor, that small role alerted Steven Spielberg to his enormous talent, as he was cast inMunichfour years later in what remains the most depthful role of his early career. Bana carries his compatriots' talent for a range of dialects, having now played just about every Western nationality in various roles that have cemented his dramatic acting prowess, and ironically as an actor whose latest ventures have often been voice roles in animated features.
16Naomi Watts
As the uber-prolific actorNaomi Wattsapproaches the vaunted sum of 100 feature film roles at only 54 years of age, she has proven herself beyond the reproach of typecasting, effortlessly ranging studio films likeThe RingandKing Kongto working with heralded indie directors like David Cronenbergand David Lynch in unforgettable filmslikeMulholland DriveandEastern Promises.
A starlet who harkens back to the days of old Hollywood, Watts has also garnered nominations for her work in action films likeThe Impossible, for which she received her second Oscar nomination. We feel there is still an Oscar win in the future for this now stately Australian actor, whose old-fashioned acting sensibilities are what mark her as one of Australia’s (and America’s) most legendary imports. She, too, got her start in that sea change filmFlirting, which has proven to be a launch point for several of Australia’s greatest acting careers.
15Ben Mendelsohn
Ben Mendelsohnhas quietly become a stalwart of American indie films and top-notch streaming series, racking up role after role in arthouse projects that the actor matches with his tremendousgravitasand uniquely slurred dialogue. Mendelsohn makes a great villain, as evidenced by his role inThe Dark Knight Rises, but the actor is more than just a heavy, having received over 30 awards and nominations over the years from every governing film body imaginable. He has settled into regular roles in streaming series in America, with Max’sThe Outsiderthe most recent example of note.
14Toni Collette
Toni Collettehas found herself long overdue for an Oscar win, after a nomination forThe Sixth Senseand few BAFTA noms forLittle Miss SunshineandAbout a Boy. Her hardened roles have, time-and-again, proven her to bean unparalleled dramatic actress, often the sanity that leads an audience through the mire and cacophony of the schizophrenic worlds that her characters inhabit. She’s proven her ability to lead major TV projects after a Primetime Emmy forThe United States of Tara, but has yet to receive adequate acclaim and awards booty to match her skyscraping level of talent.
13Jason Clarke
The list of Australian actors who could convincingly play an American icon like Jerry West is one, withJason Clarkeshowing his tremendous dexterity with the recent role inWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Clarke has quietly carved out an incredibly-impressive career, moving from character actor to supporting mainstay in many major films and streaming series, including another recent portrayal of American icon Ted Kennedy inChappaquidick. Clarke still lives somewhere between “That Guy” and bona fide star status, but given his trajectory thus far, it’s only a matter of time before his fame and accolades catch up to his preturnatural acting abilities.
12Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth’s mega-stardom has eclipsed pretty much every actor to hail from his home country, as he’s ascended to arguably the biggest international action star in the present day — using his incredible physical presence and uber-confident characters to elevate himself to Marvel mainstay andExtraction-franchise badassery.
While we haven’t seen enough true acting performances from this superstar to give himsuper statuson this list,he continues to surprise the film worldmore with every passing year — a good omen for his coming films. As a Marvel commodity, a proven name to generate box office returns on his own, only time will tell if his acting skills can match his tremendous on-screen presence. If he continues to work with directors like Michael Mann and Taika Waititi — that will likely only be a matter of time.
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