Film Clip: 'Z for Zacharia'
EVEN a skilled actor can have a crack at Hollywood and come up short, in a cutthroat business that requires much more than just talent to make it big.
But each year, a new crop of young Australian hopefuls knock on every door they can in Los Angeles, hoping to follow in the footsteps of a lucky famous few.
For those who’ve made it, how did they do it? We spoke to our hottest acting exports’ former co-stars to find out.
MARGOT ROBBIE
Her leap from Ramsay Street to The Wolf of Wall Street was one that many young actors would look at with a mix of awe and envy.
Breakout role ... Margot Robbie alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. Picture: Supplied Source:Supplied
But for Margot Robbie, her star quality was obvious from day one. Now she’s one of the hottest young names in Hollywood.
Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan Kennedy in long-running soap Neighbours, recalled a “unique” young Robbie as a devoted performer.
“Despite her youth, she was very instinctive,” Woodburne said.
“It was apparent at the outset that she had what it takes — not just to do the Hollywood thing, but to be quite the accomplished actor.”
Back then ... Margot Robbie as Donna in a scene from Neighbours. Picture: Network Ten Source: Supplied
Next part ... Margot Robbie in the anticipated upcoming film Suicide Squad. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
She was curious and hungry for knowledge, Woodburne said, and keen to learn. Robbie was a performer who worked hard and tried new things.
“She was also brave, and I think that’s the most important quality in an actor.”
CHRIS HEMSWORTH
Landing the big screen role of Thor made Chris Hemsworth one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, but his journey to fame began years prior in Summer Bay.
Bankable role ... Chris Hemsworth as Thor alongside Chris Evans as Captain America in a scene from Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
As a young performer, he cut his teeth with some guest roles in The Saddle Club andNeighbours, but it was joining the cast of Home and Away in the character of Kim that his star on the rise.
Ada Nicodemou, who plays Leah in the hit soap, recalled a friendly young bloke with “really bad hair”.
That hair ... Chris Hemsworth with Home And Away co-stars Jason Smith and Jodi Gordon. Picture: Supplied Source:News Corp Australia
“He will love me saying that,” Nicodemou laughed.
“But really, Chris was such a great guy and lovely to work with. He and all the other Aussies over there are an inspiration to the (Home and Away) cast.
“With a lot of hard work and commitment, dreams can come true.”
REBEL WILSON
Before her breakout role in the hit film Bridesmaids and turn as the aca-awesome Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect, Rebel Wilson was a rising star of Australian television.
Actor and writer Adam Zwar met Wilson while working on the script of sketch showThe Wedge. He remembered recognising her star quality immediately.
Sketch character ... Rebel Wilson as Lucy from the comedy series The Wedge. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited
“Not only was she exceptionally talented, but she also had the work ethic,” Zwar said.
“Her performances would always make the scripts funnier than they were. She’s also a smart businesswoman — her career has been all her own doing.”
Rising star ... Rebel Wilson has appeared in films like Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect and Bachelorette. Picture: Getty Source:Supplied
Whether it’s a film role or an interview on Conan O’Brien, Zwar said you can be sure workaholic Wilson has put a lot of thought into it.
“She’s also got a law degree. She reads all her own contracts. No one’s taking advantage of her.”
JAI COURTNEY
Arnold Schwarzneger, Bruce Willis, Russell Crowe … they’re just a few of Jai Courtney’s recent co-stars, as the young Aussie continues his dominance of Hollywood.
Lofty heights ... Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jai Courtney at the premiere of Terminator Genisys in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles Source: News Corp Australia
But one of his early roles was in the long-running hospital TV drama All Saints, where he played a drunk golfer needing medical attention.
Actress Virginia Gay, who starred in the series, first met Courtney at drama school and recalled a “big, burly gentleman” with a kind soul.
“The tender-heart-in-a-tough-shell thing is going to break some hearts, I reckon,” Gay said.
Hollywood hunk ... Jai Courtney has a long list of impressive film roles already. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
“What I learnt from working with him on All Saints … is that his comic timing is impeccable.”
The key to his success is undoubtedly his work ethic, Gay said, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.
“He worked super hard to get where he is, backed himself, took calculated risks … and the kid deserves his success.”
LIAM HEMSWORTH
Another famous sibling from the Hemsworth clan, Liam polished his acting craft on the set of Neighbours. He’s gone on to star in blockbuster films like The Hunger Games.
“I didn’t have a whole lot to do with him,” Woodburne said.
Famous family ... Luke, Chris and Liam Hemsworth before they really hit the big time. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited
“But I remember a very, very tall and very good looking young man. He was friendly and affable, and just lovely.
“Sometimes when I’d walk past the monitor, I was compelled to stop and watch. He just had something that was interesting.”
Major franchise ... Liam Hemsworth, director Francis Lawrence, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson at the premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. Picture: Getty Images Source: Supplied
While some young actors go to Hollywood chasing fame, others go in search of “seriously great work”, she said. Hemsworth fell in to the second camp.
“Liam had a star quality. And hasn’t he done well. That whole family! That’s some fantastic gene pool they swam out of.”
ASHLEIGH BREWER
After her stint on Neighbours, this budding young actress landed one of the most coveted jobs in the TV soap land — a role on The Bold and the Beautiful.
Ramsay Street ... Neighbours veteran Stefan Dennis with Ashleigh Brewer before. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
Woodburne fondly recalled a girl who was “full of life, funny and hardworking” but without an ounce of ego.
“She was very down to earth, absolutely,” she said. “She’d get in and get the job done, learn some things and have a bit of fun.”
Huge role ... Ashleigh Brewer in a scene from the US soap The Bold and the Beautiful. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
With a global audience of some 26 million viewers, Brewer is on the fast track to stardom.
No comments:
Post a Comment