Famous Australians

Mike Rinder (1955–2025), Scientology official turned detractor

Mike Rinder was a lifelong Scientologist who broke away from the organization and became one of its biggest detractors.

Colin Petersen (1946–2024), original Bee Gees drummer

Colin Petersen was a child actor, musician and record producer best known as the original drummer for pop legends the Bee Gees.

Robin Warren (1937–2024), discovered cause of gastric ulcers

Robin Warren was a pathologist and researcher who won the Nobel Prize for his work in uncovering the cause of peptic ulcers, rewriting our understanding of gut health in the process.

Grant Page (1939–2024), daring Mad Max stunt performer  

Grant Page was a daring stunt performer from such Australian films as “Mad Max,” “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” and “The Man from Hong Kong.”

Jayden “Jayo” Archer (1996–2024), extreme sports specialist

Jayden “Jayo” Archer was a freestyle motocross rider and X Games medalist and the first competitor ever to land a triple backflip.

Barry Humphries (1934–2023), comedian known for Dame Edna persona 

Barry Humphries was an Australian comedian and actor best known for his characters, the flamboyant Dame Edna Everage and the boorish Sir Les Patterson.

Judith Durham (1943–2022), former lead vocalist of The Seekers 

Judith Durham was the former lead vocalist for the Australian folk-pop group The Seekers, known for their hit song “Georgy Girl.”   

Sister Janet Mead (1938–2022), nun who sang rock version of “The Lord’s Prayer”

Sister Janet Mead was an Australian Catholic nun who had an international hit single in 1974 with “The Lord’s Prayer.”

David Gulpilil(c. 1953–2021), actor known for “Walkabout,” “Crocodile Dundee”

David Gulpilil was an indigenous Australian actor known for roles in movies including “Walkabout” and “Crocodile Dundee.”

Hugh Keays-Byrne (1947–2020), played villains in “Mad Max” movies

Hugh Keays-Byrne was an English-Australian actor best known for portraying two different villains in “Mad Max” (1979) and “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015).

Helen Reddy (1941–2020), singer known for feminist anthem “I Am Woman”

Helen Reddy was an Australian singer whose hits included the 1972 chart-topping feminist anthem “I Am Woman.”

Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya (2000–2020), Olympic figure skater

Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya was a figure skater who left her native Russia to compete for Australia in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Alex Pullin (1987–2020), former world snowboard champion

Alex “Chumpy” Pullin was a two-time world snowboard cross champion from Australia.    

Steve Dunleavy (1938–2019), "A Current Affair" and New York Post journalist

Steve Dunleavy was an Australian-born tabloid journalist who was a lead reporter on the television show "A Current Affair" and a columnist for the New York Post.

Heath Ledger Is Still in Our Hearts

Remembering the beloved young actor on the anniversary of his passing.

Peter Thomson (1929 – 2018), Australian golfing legend

Five-time British Open champion…

Jessica Falkholt (1988 – 2018), Australian actress

Died from injuries in a car crash that killed 3 other family members…

Malcolm Young (1953–2017), founding member of AC/DC

Malcolm Young, founding member of Australian hard rock band AC/DC, has died, according to multiple news sources. His death was announced on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. He was 64.

George Young (1946–2017), co-wrote the hit song “Friday on My Mind” with the Easybeats

Producer for AC/DC on their first five albums.

Nancy Wake, The White Mouse

One of the Allies' most decorated servicewomen of World War II, Nancy Wake was a key figure in the French resistance.

David Warren's Black Box

Here are 10 things you might not know about flight data recorder inventor David Warren and his 'black box.'

In Like Errol Flynn

We look back at Australian bad boy Errol Flynn, whose life was at least as interesting as any character he ever played.

Maurice Gibb, the Quiet Bee Gee

Maurice Gibb was known as “the quiet one” among the Bee Gees – he was much less of a front man than his brothers Robin and Barry. But don’t write off his contributions to the group.

Peter Allen, Soft-Rock Superman

Twenty years after his death, Peter Allen may not be a household name. But his songs are instantly recognizable to generations of music fans and moviegoers...

Robin Gibb, Disco Superstar

Robin Gibb and his brothers leave a musical legacy like few others. Their music dominated the disco era.

The Legend of Heath Ledger

When Heath Ledger died Jan. 22, 2008, his star was still on the rise.

Andy Gibb, In the Shadow of the Bee Gees

Teen idol Andy Gibb had a slew of hits in the late 1970s but struggled to emerge from the shadow of his older siblings. On his birthday, we take a look back.

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter

If there's anyone who truly lived their dream to the fullest, it's got to be Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.