The greatest Australian TV actors

Another Ramsay Street alumni who made it big in Hollywood, Guy Pearce’s first role was playing Mike Young on Neighbours in 1986. Guy is still lighting up Aussie small screens as an ex-detective with bad luck in the ABC series, Jack Irish.

Asher Keddie captured the hearts of Australian TV audiences playing Offspring's Nina Proudman, the ‘unlucky in love’ obstetrician.

(Image: Ten)

Now a Hollywood darling, Margot Robbie will forever be remembered by Australian audiences for her role in the long-running Aussie soap Neighbours. For 3 years she played Ramsay Street teenager Donna Freedman, before departing for Tinsel Town in 2011.

A stalwart of Aussie TV, Garry Sweet is best known for his roles on Police Rescue, Big Sky, Stingers and House Husbands.

(Image: Nine)

Better known as an Avenger and Hollywood heart-throb, it's easy to forget that Chris Hemsworth got his big break on TV. Playing Kim Hyde for three years on Aussie soap opera Home and Away, his time in Summer Bay won him the 2005 Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent.

In his 26 years of playing Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in Aussie soap Neighbours, Ryan Moloney has driven off a cliff, run a bikini store, been shot in the back, been hit by a car, negotiated for the release of hostages and been married 3 times. No wonder he has become a favourite with fans of the show around the world.

(Image: Ten)

Veteran actor Richard Roxburgh has played everything from an Australian prime minister to a crooked cop, but is perhaps best-loved on the small screen for his portrayal of self-destructive barrister Cleaver Greene in ABC TV show, Rake.

Best known to younger audiences as film legend Crocodile Dundee, Paul Hogan was actually a true-blue Aussie TV star well before lighting up the silver screen. As writer and star of the sketch comedy show The Paul Hogan Show he won a legion of Australian fans.

Before heading to Hollywood, Isla Fisher got her big break playing teenager Shannon Reid on Home and Away.

Mentalist star Simon Baker is another actor who got their big break on the Aussie small screen, with roles in the 80’s on the hit Australian TV soaps E Steet, and Home and Away.

A legend of Australian TV it seems there is not much Deborah Mailman can’t do. From comedy to heart-breaking drama, she has won Aussie hearts with roles in The Secret Life of Us, Redfern Now, Offspring, Mystery Road, Jack Irish and guest appearances on Black Comedy.

(Image credit: John Platt)

TV veteran Aaron Pedersen is a familiar face in Aussie TV dramas with roles in classic shows including Wildside, Water Rats, City Homicide and Mystery Road.

Georgie Parker has spent 20 years portraying cherished Aussie characters like the quirky Lucy Gardiner in A Country Practice and former-nun Terri Sullivan in All Saints.

(Image: Seven)

He might be Australia’s greatest showman, but Hugh Jackman first jobs out of acting school were all on Aussie TV. Perhaps his most important TV role of all was in 1995’s critically acclaimed series Correlli,  where he met and fell in love with his co-star (and now wife) Deborra-Lee Furness.

Gold Logie winner John Wood became a household name for playing judge Michael Rafferty in TV legal drama Rafferty’s Rules. However it was his portrayal of down-to-earth country cop Seargent Tom Croydon in Blue Heelers that truly won the hearts of Aussie audiences.

She terrified us Roberta Williams in Underbelly, and made us cry and then laugh as Billie Proudman in Offspring. Is there anything Kat Stewart can't do?

(Image: Ten)

Michala Banas has spent over 20 years on Aussie TV screens but is perhaps best known for playing Kate Manfredi in McLeod's Daughters. Most recently she has had us in stitches as lovable bogan Amber Wheeler in Upper Middle Bogan.

(Image: Nine)

Kate Richie grew up on Aussie TV with the whole nation watching. She was just 8 years old when she appeared as Sally Fletcher in the pilot episode of Home and Away, and was a cast regular for 20 years until she bid farewell to Summer Bay in 2008.

Another Hollywood star with roots in Summer Bay, Melissa George got her big break in 1993 playing Angel Parrish on Home and Away.

Good Logie winner Lisa McCune captured the hearts of Australians as country cop Maggie Doyle in TV drama Blue Heelers.

Ray Meagher is no flamin' galah, but a true legend of Aussie TV. This Gold Logie winner has spent the last 21 years playing grumpy Summer Bay local, Alf Stewart.

(Image: Seven)

Comedy veteran Rob Sitch is best known for his portrayal of satirical Frontline news anchor Mike Moore, and more recently as frazzled NBA boss Tony Woodford in Utopia.

(Image:ABC)

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis has spent over 30 years playing Ramsay Street's resident bad guy, Paul Robinson. (Image: Ten)

Samuel Johnson shot to stardom in 2001 playing Evan Wylde in the St Kilda based TV series The Secret Life of Us. Most recently he impressed audiences with his portrayal of Molly Meldrum in the TV miniseries Molly.

Comic actor Glenn Robbins has been a favourite of Australian audiences for over 20 years, as he kept us in stitches with his classic Aussie characters Uncle Arthur, Russel Coight and of course Kel in Kath and Kim.

Controversial comedian Chris Lilley has created a colourful cast of TV characters, but Ja'mie King from Summer Heights High remains a fan favourite.

Fan favourite Celia Pacquola is a comedian turned actor best known for her hilarious roles in ABC comedies Utopia and Rosehaven.

(Image: Instagram)

As tough water cop Frank Holloway, veteran Australian actor Colin Friels taught TV audiences that the beautiful waters of Sydney Harbour were much deadlier than they seemed.

David Wenham has a long and illustrious career on Aussie screens but is still perhaps best remembered as the charming Diver Dan in the first series of SeaChange.

Jackie Weaver is a 50 year veteran of Aussie TV, appearing in dozens of shows including Homicide and Alvin Purple. These days she is best known for her Academy Award-nominated work in Hollywood films.

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