Australian movie stars born in 1940
Here are 10 famous actors from Australia were born in 1940:
Jonathan Hardy
Jonathan Hardy (September 20, 1940 Wellington-July 30, 2012 Southern Highlands) also known as Johnathan Hardy or Jonathon Hardy was an Australian actor, screenwriter and film director.
Hardy began his career as an actor and appeared in numerous Australian television shows and films. He is best known for his role as Dominar Rygel XVI in the science fiction television series Farscape. In addition to acting, Hardy also worked as a screenwriter and director, with credits on films such as Gallipoli (1981) and Breaker Morant (1980). He was also a prolific voice actor and provided the voice for numerous animated characters in popular Australian cartoons, including the character of Dr. Shock Clock in the animated series Dogstar. In 2011, Hardy was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Australian Writers' Guild for his contributions to the Australian film and television industry. Hardy passed away in 2012 at the age of 71.
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Trevor Kent
Trevor Kent (April 24, 1940 Queensland-November 4, 1989 Melbourne) was an Australian actor.
He started his career as a stage actor and later transitioned to film and television. Some of his notable roles include the character of Graham Walters in the TV series "The Sullivans" and the role of Jim in the 1986 film "Crocodile Dundee." Apart from being an actor, Kent was also a successful director and producer. He directed several episodes of "Neighbours," "Home and Away," and "The Flying Doctors." In addition, he was a mentor to many upcoming actors in the Australian film industry. Kent was known for his charismatic personality and his dedication to his craft. He passed away in 1989 from cancer at the age of 49.
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Don Barker
Don Barker (March 8, 1940 Adelaide-) is an Australian actor.
He is best known for his work in Australian film and television. He began his career on television with roles in popular dramas such as "Homicide" and "Division 4". In the 1970s, he starred in a number of films including "The Man from Hong Kong" and "Stork".
Throughout the 80s and 90s, Barker continued to work in film and television, appearing in shows like "A Country Practice" and "Neighbours". He also worked as a voice actor on various animated series.
In addition to his acting work, Barker is a trained stuntman and has performed in a number of action films. He has also worked as a film and television producer.
Barker was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2013 for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including the development of the South Australian Film Corporation.
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John Bell
John Bell (November 1, 1940 Maitland-) also known as John Anthony Bell, AO, OBE or John Anthony Bell is an Australian actor, theatre practitioner and theatre director. He has two children, Lucy Bell and Hilary Bell.
Bell is best known for his work in theater, particularly his contributions to contemporary Australian theater. He co-founded the Nimrod Theatre Company in Sydney in 1970, which went on to become a major force in Australian theater. Bell has directed and acted in countless productions, including many Shakespeare plays, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the arts. In 1997, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to the arts, and in 2013, he was awarded the Helpmann Award for Best Direction of a Play for "The Floating World." Bell continues to work in the theater world, and his legacy has had a significant impact on Australian culture.
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Bill Hunter
Bill Hunter (February 27, 1940 Ballarat-May 21, 2011 Kew Vic) also known as Willaim Hunter, William John Hunter, William John "Bill" Hunter or William John Bourke Hunter was an Australian actor and voice actor.
He was born in Ballarat, Victoria, and began his acting career in the 1960s. Hunter appeared in more than 60 films and over 100 television series throughout his career, becoming a well-known face in the Australian entertainment industry. He is best known for his roles in films such as "Gallipoli", "Strictly Ballroom", "Muriel's Wedding", and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". Hunter was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous animated films and television series, including "Finding Nemo" and "All Dogs Go to Heaven 2". In addition to acting, he was also a respected stage actor and director. He was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal in 2001 for his services to the arts.
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Bruce Beresford
Bruce Beresford (August 16, 1940 Paddington-) is an Australian film director, film producer, screenwriter, film editor, cinematographer, actor and television director. He has two children, Trilby Beresford and Cordelia Beresford.
Beresford has directed over 30 feature films throughout his career, including Breaker Morant (1980), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, and Driving Miss Daisy (1989), which won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. He has also directed many acclaimed Australian films, including The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972) and Puberty Blues (1981). In addition to his work in film, Beresford has directed television programs such as the miniseries Roots (2016). He has also written several books, including his memoir, Josh Hartnett Definitely Wants To Do This... True Stories From A Life In The Screen Trade. Beresford has received many awards for his work, including an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of New England and the prestigious Don Dunstan Award.
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Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson (August 31, 1940 Manly-) also known as John Hadley Payne, Gurkula, Jack Thomson or Jack Thompson, AM is an Australian actor. His children are called Patrick Thompson and Billy Thompson.
Jack Thompson started his acting career in the late 1960s and went on to become one of Australia's most successful actors. He has appeared in various films such as Wake in Fright (1971), Breaker Morant (1980), the Man from Snowy River (1982) and Australia (2008).
Apart from acting, Jack Thompson has been actively involved in promoting indigenous issues and human rights. He is an ambassador for CARE Australia, an international humanitarian organization, and has been a vocal supporter of indigenous land rights and reconciliation.
In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry and his work with various social causes, Jack Thompson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1986.
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Max Cullen
Max Cullen (April 29, 1940 Wellington-) also known as Maximilian Cullen is an Australian actor, painter, illustrator and cartoonist. He has one child, Katharine Cullen.
Max Cullen is best known for his work in film and television. He has appeared in many Australian films, including "Sunday Too Far Away," "The Last Wave" and "Spider and Rose." He has also worked in American productions, including "The Great Gatsby" and "The X-Files."
In addition to his acting career, Cullen is also a talented artist. He has held several exhibitions of his paintings and illustrations and has won numerous awards for his work. He is particularly known for his cartoons and caricatures, which have been published in several newspapers and magazines in Australia.
Cullen has also been involved in Australian theatre, both as an actor and a director. He has worked with several prestigious theatre companies, including the Sydney Theatre Company and the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Despite his busy career, Cullen has also been committed to social and environmental issues. He has worked as an activist in support of Aboriginal rights and has been involved in campaigns to protect Australia's natural environment.
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Paul Cox
Paul Cox (April 16, 1940 Venlo-) also known as Paulus Henriqus Benedictus Cox or Paulus Henriqus Benedictus "Paul" Cox is an Australian film director, screenwriter, film producer, photographer, teacher, actor, cinematographer and film editor. He has one child, Kyra Cox.
Paul Cox was born in the Netherlands and migrated to Australia in 1965. He studied at the Swinburne Film School in Melbourne during the 1970s and later became a lecturer in film production techniques. Cox was known for his independent and art-house films, which often explored themes of love, death, and spirituality. Some of his most well-known works include "Man of Flowers" (1983), "A Woman's Tale" (1991), and "Innocence" (2000). Cox has been honored with numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Australian Cinematographers Society Hall of Fame in 2010. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 76 due to complications from liver cancer.
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Bruce Myles
Bruce Myles (November 29, 1940 Sydney-) is an Australian film director and actor.
He began his career in the 1960s as an actor, starring in several Australian TV shows and films. In the 1970s, Myles transitioned to directing and has since worked on a variety of projects, including TV dramas, documentaries, and feature films. Some of his notable works include the films 'The Naked Bunyip,' 'The True Believers,' and 'Molly and Mobarak.' Myles has also been recognized for his work in theatre, having directed productions for the Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Myles is an advocate for environmental and social justice causes.
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