John Cornell and Paul Hogan on The Paul Hogan Show.
Paul Hogan will receive this year’s AACTA Longford Lyell Award, the Australian Academy’s highest honour.
First presented to Ian Dunlop in 1968, the Longford Lyell Award honours Australian film pioneer Raymond Longford and his partner in filmmaking and life, Lottie Lyell.
It recognises a person who has made a truly outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia’s screen environment and culture. Previous recipients include Peter Weir, Geoffrey Rush, Fred Schepisi, Jan Chapman, David Stratton and most recently, Cate Blanchett.
Hogan will be bestowed with the award at the 6th AACTA Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening, in a presentation that will honour his 45 year career. It will feature tributes from Shane Jacobson, Michael Caton, former Tourism Minister John Brown, Peter Faiman, Dave Hughes, Adam Hills, Ernie Dingo and The Paul Hogan Show co-star Delvene Delaney.
“I’m honoured to be receiving such a wonderful award and am looking forward to catching up with many colleagues on the evening,” said Hogan.
Hogan’s career began when he was working as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and, on a dare, auditioned for talent contest New Faces. Following a recurring role on A Current Affair in the early 70s, The Paul Hogan Show was born – a sketch comedy program which he produced, co-wrote and starred in from 1973 to 1984.
He became well known internationally for his commerical work during the 1980s, including British advertisements for Foster’s Lager and the ‘Come and say G’Day’ campaign (think shrimp on the barbie) with the Australian Tourist Commission.
In 1985, Hogan starred in ANZACs, and the year after, wrote and starred in his first feature film: Crocodile Dundee. Launching his international career, the film gave Hogan an international career, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay and multiple BAFTA nominations.
Crocodile Dundee remains the number one Australian film of all time at the Australian box office. It spawned two sequels, Crocodile Dundee II and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles.
AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said: “Paul Hogan needs no introduction – he created one of Australia’s most successful television shows and then the biggest Australian film of all time. He drove an unparalleled Australian tourism campaign throughout the 1980’s and has long been an incredible ambassador for Australia and our screen industry.
“It’s fitting that we honour Paul this year, 30 years since he became an international Australian icon in Crocodile Dundee. On behalf of AFI | AACTA, it is my pleasure to congratulate Paul Hogan.”