World-famous stars from Australia: then and now

Remembering the late Olivia Newton-John (2019)

Talent from Australia, then and now

They've become all-too-familiar faces on the global stage, but do you know what the following Aussie actors and actresses looked like when they were just starting out? Have a look!

THEN: Mel Gibson (1981)

A bright-eyed and fresh-faced Mel Gibson in 'Gallipoli' in 1981.

NOW: Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson with a beard and gray hairs in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2021.

THEN: Rebel Wilson (2008)

Rebel Wilson (r) with Lulu McClatchy in 2008 Aussie TV comedy 'Bogan Pride.'

NOW: Rebel Wilson

Hollywood star Rebel Wilson presenting her new movie 'Senior Year' in 2022.

THEN: Guy Pearce (1988)

Guy Pearce in his first acting role, playing Mike Young in 'Neighbours.'

NOW: Guy Pearce

Veteran actor Guy Pearce at Build in New York, December 2019.

THEN: Nicole Kidman (1983)

At 16 years, Nicole Kidman made her movie debut thwarting bank robbers in BMX Bandits.

NOW: Nicole Kidman

Hollywood darling Nicole Kidman visits the 2023 Oscars' ceremony.

THEN: Chris Hemsworth (2006)

Chris Hemsworth’s big break was playing Kim Hyde in Seven drama, 'Home and Away.'

NOW: Chris Hemsworth

Now a Hollywood heart-throb, Chris Hemsworth looks like a real gentleman at the 2021 Critics Choice Awards.

THEN: Isla Fisher (1995)

Isla Fisher as 'Home and Away's teenage activist Shannon Reed in 1995.

NOW: Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher in 2023, a year before she and her husband Sasha Cohen announced that they were ending their marriage after a relationship of 20 years.

THEN: Russell Crowe (1992)

Russell Crowe played Kenny Larkin in 'Neighbours' back in 1987. Here, he's attending the 1992 AFI Awards.

NOW: Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe at the premiere of his TV mini-series, 'The Loudest Voice'.

THEN: Simon Baker (1992)

Simon Baker played Sam Farrell in 90s' soap 'E Street.' Here you see him with his then-partner Rebecca Rigg. They would be married from 1998 through 2020.

NOW: Simon Baker

Simon Baker at the Sydney Film Festival in November 2021.

THEN: Margot Robbie (2009)

Margot Robbie as rebellious Erinsborough teenager Donna Freedman in 'Neighbours.'

Image: Ten

NOW: Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie had a huge success with 'Barbie' in 2024 and is wanted as an actress and producer all over Hollywood.

THEN: Hugh Jackman (1997)

A young Hugh Jackman played the inmate Kevin Jones in the 90s' TV drama 'Correlli.' Here he's at the Australian Film Industry Awards with Francis O'Connor and his then-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

NOW: Hugh Jackman

Australia's greatest showman Hugh Jackman is now single after a long marriage to Deborra-Lee Furness. Here we see the couple in one of their last public appearances together, the Met Gala of 2023.

THEN: Melissa George (1995)

Melissa George in 1995 as Summer Bay teenager Angel in 'Home and Away.'

Image: Seven

NOW: Melissa George

A glamorous Melissa George at the Cannes Film Festival in July 2021.

THEN: Olivia Newton-John (1978)

A fresh-faced Olivia Newton-John right before the success of the movie musical 'Grease'.

Remembering the late Olivia Newton-John (2019)

The legendary Olivia Newton-John at Industry Dance Awards in August 2019. She would pass away after a long battle with cancer in August 2022.

THEN: Eric Bana (1994)

Eric Bana as lovable bogan Peter (a.k.a. 'Poita') in 90s' TV sketch show 'Full Frontal.'

Image: Seven