World's most famous Australian

[simon c]

Here's a bit of a question.

Who is the world's most famous Australian. I think the criteria is that they are famous in lots of countries (rather than being very famous in one) and being Australian is part of their fame.

I've had some thoughts, with reasons why they are or aren't:

Entertainment:
Errol Flynn - very famous, but not well known for being an Australian
Mel Gibson - was born in the US and now has US citizenship, but may have counted for a while
Kylie Minogue - one of the biggest starts in the UK
Paul Hogan - Very Australian and a big international star
Steve Irwin - Please don't let it be him
Peter Allen - Probably doesn't have the recognition across the board
Dame Edna - Huge in the UK, now has a name in the US
Rolf Harris - again, just limited to the UK

Sport:
Don Bradman - But cricket isn't a world sport
Mark Bosnich - was goalkeeper for the world's most famous soccer team
Many Tennis players - not sure how well known each individual tennis star is

Politics:
Nah - nobody ever knows who the Prime Minister of Australia is.

Anyone else?

I wonder what our colleagues from overseas think. Have they heard of any of these people.
As an ex-pom, Kylie is very famous and very famously Australian - but the UK is just one country.

Simon

[craigb]

Umm I can think of one you've missed:

Greg Norman

Mel Gibson is not an Australian BTW.

He calls himself an American, and he definitely is one.

Just because he lived here for a few years and went to drama school here.

Big Deal.

[Christopha]

Martin Bryant?? :eek:

[outback]

Doorstop!!

[Rocker]

Webster's Dictionary falsely claims that Errol Flynn was American :mad:

Rocker

[Fat Pat]

Famous Now, or Famous All-Time?

Peter Allen was a very proud Aussie, and I gather he let everyone know at his concerts. Seeing they were years ago, maybe people have forgotten?

Steve Irwin would have to be the current "Most Famous Person".

Mind you, if kate Blanchett wins an oscar?????

Maybe Nicole Kidman?

Depends upon the definition of Famous.

It's a bit like making Mark Taylor Australian of the Year. Great bloke and great at cricket, but more deserving than say Victor Chang or someother hard working soul?

[craigb]

Howard Florey probably should be the most famous Australian.

But hey he was only responsible for saving millions of lives worldwide plus he was a scientist so of course nobody's ever heard of him.

At the Olympics closing ceremony, they had Greg Norman, Elle McPherson and Kylie. I think that probably just about covered it then.

Mybe substitute Nicole Kidman for Elle and Irwin for Norman today.

[silentC]

Skippy the bush kangaroo!

[simon c]

Yes, I think Greg Norman is up there for those who are interested in golf, otherwise he isn't very high profile. Probably true of all sports.

Mel Gibson is often quoted as an American born Australian (as is Nicole Kidman), but I'm not sure if he is now or has always been an American.

Same with Errol FLynn, being born in Hobart doesn't necessarily mean you aren't American. He certainly didn't go about telling people he was from Tasmania.

Nationality is an odd thing. You'd always imagine that Anthony Hopkins is British, but he is American now.

Is nationality where you are born, where you grow up, what you choose to call yourself or what people choose to call you?

And as regard to fame, it certainly shouldn't be equated to worthiness or greatness. It is just a measure of how well known you are.

Please come up with somebody better than Steve Irwin!!

[gemi_babe]

Ummm Russell Crow... Australian, but born NZ... he calls himself an Aussie too.

Hugh Jackman...
Heath Ledger...

Toni Collette...

[Daddles]

Ned Kelly

[silentC]

Skippy was born in Australia, grew up in Australia and died in Australia. You can't get any more Australian than that!

Skippy for 'most famous Aussie'!! Even the Greeks know Skippy

[silentC]

Ned Kelly was Irish!

[simon c]

Russell Crow is a possible - he certainly is famous as an Australian, even if he is a Kiwi.

I don't think Hugh, Heath or Tonmi are famous enough.

While Ned kelly is famous in Australia, I don't think many peopl eknow of him internationally.

Skippy didn't have an Australian passport

[Termite]

In the Phillipines when you say you're from Australia most of the time they laugh and make a reference to the Tasmanian Devil, cartoon version that is.