exclusive To his surprise, he became the best-known Aussie in the world. He loved it, yet none of this changed what was really important to Paul Hogan, as he explains to DAVID LESER.
t still boggles the mind – and this New Faces show, and because tickles the fancy – more than you don’t want to sit around for 12 30 years later, to hear the story months waiting to get on, you’re of how this man, this icon going to embellish a little by sending of working-class Australian the program managers a letter machismo, conquered the world introducing yourself as a “tap dancing by making us all laugh. Just knife thrower from Lightning Ridge”. Iimagine it were you. You’re You’re also going to mention that married with five kids and hardly a you’re a former shearer and trapeze penny to your name. You’ve left artist who happens to be working on school way too early and you’re onto the Harbour Bridge. your 40th job – this time as a rigger on Three days later ... Hallelujah! the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’re on the show, but instead of You’re sitting at morning tea with throwing knives or doing any tap your mates, 120 metres above the dancing, you’re tearing strips off the city floor, talking about a talent show judges, advising them on how they on television called New Faces and could improve their act. The judges you decide that, just like with are not particularly amused, but the Australian Idol today, there’s a fair bit audience loves it, as does the of mediocrity around – from both the producer, Desmond Tester. He contestants and the celebrity judges. invites you on again, and this time What particularly sticks in your you front up as a “shovel player” – a craw, though, is the way the judges guy banging two shovels together. TheHOGAN accidentalactor seem to take delight in humiliating The audience falls about. So, too, some of the young kids on the show. does Desmond. You win the heat and Downright cruel you reckon. It gets Desmond tells his people to make you thinking about how satisfying it sure you come back. “Doesn’t matter would be to give the judges some of what he wants to do,” he says.
their own back. And so with a suck “It’ll be different to anything else on a Winfield blue and a laconic we’ve got on here.” aside, you tell your mates exactly that. You’re now in the national finals of You say, “It’d be nice if one of the New Faces, and on this occasion you Christians got up and bit the lions for enter as a “thunderbox” player, which a change.” Your mates laugh, and is slang for an old army toilet. No one then dare you to do it. working on the show has the remotest Now the thing is you’ve never idea what you’re talking about, especially been on stage before, and never even when you tell them that all you’ll need hankered for the spotlight. What you on the night is a tea-chest. “You also know is that you’re a pretty good tell them you won’t be needing to Paul Hogan, 64, has heckler and that you can provide a rehearse. I can only play the thunderbox come a long way from comedic twist to almost anything. once,” you say. being a rigger on his It’s at this point you make a fateful They think you’re unhinged, but former workplace, the choice. You decide – at the age of 30, they ask you whether you’d like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. ▲
mind you – that you’re going to go on band to back you. You shrug your TELIGA. DE JANE BY STYLED CAPOBIANCO. JASON BY PHOTOGRAPHY WILLIAMS SHIRT. AN R.M. WEARS PAUL
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY – APRIL 2004 33 PAUL ‘
shoulders. “Yeah, why not?” And so Americans start arriving here in droves. And so you find yourself set for life ... the night comes and as the band goes Then, in 1986, you release your first except for one thing. You discover there’s into full accompaniment mode, you run feature film about an Australian crocodile a flip side to fame, especially when your across the stage and drive your head hunter, Mick Dundee, an open-hearted first marriage breaks up and you end up through the tea-chest. Then you pull your bumpkin who arrives in New York sporting with the much younger leading lady from head out, talk for a couple of minutes and a smile and a knife the size of a mini your movie. Now the jackals of the press walk off. The audience is on the floor and cutlass. Suddenly, you’re walking on want you for breakfast, accusing you of you end up coming second, just behind water, although you liken it to winning the betrayal and insinuating that the woman the cello player. 100-metre Olympics sprint, unheralded you love is a “mid-life crisis” wife. That, of course, is only the beginning. and in bare feet. It doesn’t help either that the films Within a few months, you’re spotted At the London premiere, you find that follow on from your first are – to by the brilliant young producer with yourself sitting between Prince Charles put it kindly – less than resounding Channel Nine, John Cornell, who has (whom you call Charlie) and Princess successes. You’ve become tabloid target seen you interviewed on Channel Nine’s Diana (whom you call Di). Di’s got her practice. You’re pilloried for the glitzy We became almost instant blood brothers and we remain so to this day. We existed on a handshake.
new program A Current Affair. house you build in Byron Bay, for “He was being interviewed by the name you give your new child, Tony Ward under the Harbour for the outdated stereotypes you Bridge,” John recalls now, “and he perpetuate about Australia, for said to him during the interview your alleged facelift, for the food ‘you better do some push-ups you feed your dog ... It’s known while I talk to the viewers’. So he throughout the country as lopping put his foot on Tony’s back and the poppy, but you insist you’re no proceeded to talk very quickly tall poppy. You’re an ironbark tree. because he saw a train coming and Little wonder though that, he didn’t know in those days that until recently, you’d choose to live you could stop and start interviews. in America. Little wonder that He thought the train would mess you’d become wary about coming the interview up. It was hilarious. home, that you’d guard your He was treating a reporter with no privacy jealously and that you’d respect at all, and I just loved it.” only give interviews when you had On the strength of this something to say. performance, John Cornell decides * * * there and then that you’re the one Paul Hogan walks into the Sydney to do a weekly three-minute hotel suite looking like ... well ... commentary on A Current Affair, a Mick Dundee and the Winfield sort of man-on-the-street send-up Man rolled into one. He’s tanned of the news. He also decides that, and lean in his cargo pants and in you, he’s found a soul mate for trainers, and there’s a packet of life. “We became almost instant Stars of The Paul Hogan Show, Paul Hogan (front), John Winfield in the top pocket of his blood brothers,” John says, “and Cornell as Strop and Delvene Delaney, in the mid-’70s. hemp shirt. Despite thinning hair we remain so to this day. We and a road map of lines (that’s existed on a handshake [through a right, not a facelift in sight!) he’s 20-year business relationship], which has knees up on the seat in front of her and not a bad specimen for a man who’ll be stood the test of time.” she’s “laughing like a drain”. In America, turning 65 later this year. Within a few months you’re causing queues are forming around the block to He holds out a firm right hand and traffic jams on the Harbour Bridge, get into the cinemas. You’re on talk fixes his interviewer with those famous because you’re now a mini national shows across the nation. Throughout Pacific blue eyes of his. “G’day,” he says, celebrity with a conspicuous – although Scandinavia, Germany, France, South just before lighting up a cigarette and often hard-to-spot – day job. You’re America, South Africa, Israel, Japan ... then proceeding to suck the life out of it. famous and poor, but within a year you’re you’ve become a number one smash “Used to get these for free,” he says going to be more famous and less poor. hit. Not to mention rich beyond your mischievously, in reference to when he That’s because, after A Current Affair, wildest dreams. At one stage, your little was paid to do ads for Winfield. “Got to you’re given your own show, which, over film becomes one of the 10 highest pay for them meself now.” the next nine years, is to become a grossing movies ever made and, together Paul Hogan, as it turns out, is a gracious phenomenon in Australian comedy. with its sequel, ends up earning a interviewee. Although here to promote But, again, there’s more. By 1981, staggering $1billon. his latest film, Strange Bedfellows with you’re selling Foster’s beer to the Brits With your larrikin, slightly patriotic Michael Caton, he is happy to survey the and, three years later, selling Australia humour you’ve become the most arc of an extraordinary life, even if it to the Americans. And what happens? famous Australian on earth. As John means returning to one of his least Foster’s ends up becoming the second Cornell will put it years later, “You made favourite subjects – the media’s obsession ▲
biggest selling beer in the UK and it cool to be working-class.” with his marriage to American actor NEWSPIX. CAPABIANCA. JASON BY PHOTOGRAPHY ‘34 THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY – APRIL 2004 THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY – APRIL 2004 35 Linda Kozlowski in 1990. (This followed ‘ his divorce a year earlier from his wife of 28 years, Noelene Hogan.) “After I got divorced the second time [he and Noelene had divorced in 1983 and then remarried a couple of years later], I suddenly became some sort of pariah,” he says now. “And I thought, ‘Well, we’ll put up with that for about 12 months and then something else will take over’. “Because I’d been over in LA, where they’ve got Michael Jackson and Madonna ... I mean I was a nobody. I didn’t do anything there. I had no paparazzi, no problems ... Then I’d come home and there’d be sort of guys up on the hill at Byron and there would be photos of us by the pool, or we’d go to the beach and there’d be photos of us at the beach. Why? We’re not doing anything. “You see I was cool until I got divorced Above, left: Paul and Linda Kozlowski marry in Byron Bay, NSW, on May 5, 1990, which Paul says ... [but] how do you pick sides or form turned him into a pariah in Australia. Right: Linda, Paul and their son, Chance, 4, in March 2003. judgments when a marriage doesn’t work? How stupid can you be? I don’t and so I don’t really understand anyone else “Now I’ve been surpassed, but [in the thought of myself as a comedy writer doing it.” mid-’80s to early ‘90s] I was about the who got lucky enough to perform his So given all the screaming headlines, it best known, about the only known, own material.” was hardly surprising that Linda was less Australian throughout the world. If you The second reason is plain old than enthusiastic about Australia. “She’d had a contest and said: `Name an gratitude. Having been launched into the come back here and all she ever heard Australian?’ they would go, `Crocodile hyper-reality of movie stardom by the about was the divorce that happened Dundee’, and then they would struggle to success of Crocodile Dundee, Paul Hogan years ago,” Paul says. think of the next one. Maybe Greg Norman is today filled with a refreshingly simple “She’s thinking, ‘I’m married. I’ve got a or something, but that was about it. and abiding sense of his own good child. We’ve been together for nearly 16 “So whether I wanted to or not, I was fortune. He still can’t quite believe it. years, and I still have to come back here sort of saddled with being an ambassador “I don’t deserve to be as successful as and be the other woman ... ‘ And she didn’t ... and I didn’t want stories of me being I’ve been,” he says with a sheepish grin. understand it. She didn’t do anything. I a drunken egomaniac in restaurants, “I didn’t earn it. I sort of got lucky. I was I was cool until I got divorced ... [but] how do you pick sides when a marriage doesn’t work?
did. And it’s sort of no one’s business.” throwing things and drawing attention to in the right place at the right time. That’s And it wasn’t just the prurience of it all, myself. That’s not what I’m like and I why people annoy me when they get into it was the fabrications that went with it. didn’t want anyone thinking that’s what entertainment, which is the most hugely Paul recalls a time in England – around the Australians are like. That was the only overpaid gig of all time. release of Crocodile Dundee II – when the time it really bugged me. It was like, “Their job is to entertain people and London tabloids reported that he and `Jesus, don’t make things up.’ “ they take themselves so seriously. They Linda had raised hell in a local restaurant. On the other hand, copping a roasting get cut to the quick when someone “[Apparently] I started throwing things and for a decade of box office and critical criticises what they’ve done. That’s the swearing and Linda walked out ‘cause failures, (Lightning Jack, Almost an whole point. When you get up on stage we couldn’t get our table. We read this Angel, Flipper and Crocodile Dundee in and you sing or tell a joke, people are and we were in Wales at the time, but it Los Angeles), is, to him, “water off a allowed to go, ‘Oh he sucks’, or ‘She’s was embarrassing because you think a lot duck’s back”. terrible’, because you’re only there to of people will read it and think it’s true. [As “It’s never worried me in the slightest,” entertain them. Even if they hate you, they did in Australia.] he says, “criticism of what I do. I might you’re entertaining them in a vague sort “But anyone who knows me knows get offended when they talk about of way. that I go into a restaurant and hope that no my personal life and it’s not true ... but “A lot of people [in the entertainment one will take any notice of me. I don’t want only offended. I never boil over or dwell business] don’t think they’re lucky. They to sit there and eat with people looking at on it.” think they’re gifted. Yeah, they’re a bit me. I’ve never, ever tried to draw attention And the reason for that is twofold. Paul gifted, but so are a lot of other people to myself. When it’s straight out lies and has never aspired to being an actor. who’ve never had the opportunity or the embarrassing and tacky [I don’t like that], “The switch to movies didn’t mean I inclination or the luck to crack it in the ‘cause I always felt like I was a bit of an wanted to be a movie star or an actor,” he same way. ▲
NEWSPIX. ICON IMAGES. ambassador ... and I was. says. “I don’t like being an actor. I always “So with me, if some guy writes, 36 THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY – APRIL 2004 ‘ THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY – APRIL 2004 37 Bel Air Hotel [in Los have a passion about [putting on a ‘ Angeles] and this guy plummy accent] MY CRAFT. Polishing the comes and taps on the craft. window. He says, ‘Sorry to “But it’s fabulous [fathering again]. trouble you, I’ve got this Because I’ve got all the time in the world. movie script, love you to I don’t work. Well, I do work occasionally, have a look at it.’ I said, ‘Oh when I feel like it. Not very often ... so the yeah, no trouble.’ only thing I think is: ‘It’s not fair’. When I “It was George Harrison had my first kids I was going to work all ... and he went off saying, the time. And I had to try and make some ‘Lovely to meet you.’ And kind of life for myself ... so they came I thought: ‘A Beatle? A second to it. Beatle was nervous about “I missed out on that age between 18 approaching me?’ I sort of months and seven. You want to be with got hysterical ... I’m sitting them every day, the things that come out in the car and one of the of their mouths. That’s the highlight of my Beatles is nervous about life. I take him [Chance] to school or pick A scene from Paul’s new film, Strange Bedfellows, with approaching me and I him up. And then we play together. his co-star and friend, Australian actor Michael Caton. thought, ‘How silly can “He’s my constant companion ... I you get?’ “ cherish the moments of his childhood Another thrill, perhaps because the other kids ... I sort of ‘This guy sucks’, I’d think, ‘Oh yeah, I more childish than the former two, was blinked and turned around and there they do sometimes. I thought I was getting finding his way onto Beavis and Buthead were – lumping teenagers. The blink of away with it’.” and The Flintstones. “Barney came in an eye, it goes so quick. Which is not to say that Paul Hogan with a hat on,” says Paul now, and he’s “And now I sort of try and slow it down isn’t like most mere mortals. He has calling himself ‘CROCODILE BARNEEE’. and enjoy the sweetness and innocence loved, for instance, the opportunities Oh cool ... I’ve made The Flintstones and and naivety of a little kid. It’s just fame and wealth have bestowed on I’ve made Beavis and Buthead. I can wonderful. When they say the funniest him – owning sumptuous homes around retire now.” little thing so seriously, it’s like, ‘Please the world, living in a manner beyond * * * don’t get older’.” most people’s dreams (not bad for a Paul Hogan has returned home, back It’s now more than 30 years ago that former union organiser), and meeting to the lush green hills behind Byron Bay, Paul Hogan burst into our living rooms some of the brightest stars in the and to the “realness” of the Australian with his riotous, irreverent brand of Hollywood firmament. community he left behind when international humour. In the intervening years he has It’s just that in doing so, he appears fame came calling nearly 20 years ago. written hundreds of comedy sketches for Now I sort of try and slow it down and enjoy the sweetness and innocence and naivety of a little kid..
to have acquired not a skerrick of hubris His wife still has no affection for the television and eight movie scripts. Sure, or self-importance. When he talks about Australian media, but to Australians in some of the movies didn’t work, but most meeting Hollywood stars, he does so general, she is well-disposed. of the comedy sketches did. And now, for with a genuine sense of modesty, at He says there was always the intention the first time in his life, he’s in somebody times incredulity. after the birth of their son, Chance, else’s movie, playing a bloke who’s “I never got seduced by the glitz and five years ago, to return to Australia so pretending to be gay. glamour of Hollywood,” he says, “but I that he would get his schooling here. “I Strange Bedfellows is a harmless, feel- loved seeing movie stars and talking to wanted him to grow up Aussiefied, good film, at once funny, unpretentious them. I met Clint Eastwood, Sylvester ‘cause Americans are a little strange,” he and slightly out of time and fashion, just Stallone, Keanu Reeves, Dustin Hoffman, says, only half-jokingly. like the man who plays the leading roles. Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart ... I could drop For a man who has described himself “I reckon you would go a long way to names for hours. more than once as being cold, it is find someone with his qualities,” says his “I know them and they know who I compelling, therefore, to hear him talk friend Delvene Delaney. “And those am and we’ve said hello and exchanged about the joys of fatherhood. “Yeah ... it’s qualities are honesty, integrity and pleasantries, and I get a kick out of that. not a good thing [to be cold]. Cold is humour. He has copped a lot of flak ... but I don’t ask them for their autograph, but I someone who doesn’t love anything or he’s got a lot of class.” almost do.” anybody,” he says. “That’s not true [of me]. Her husband, John Cornell, couldn’t Amongst his greatest thrills was I’m not a passionate sort of person. I don’t agree more. “With Hoges,” he says, “you meeting Bob Dylan backstage at the really get passionate about anything.” think back to the old things. You would have 2001 Golden Globe awards. “He just But you’re passionate about Chance? liked to have had him in the trenches with comes up to me and says [putting on a “That’s just love. I loved all my kids and you, because he would have kept your Dylan accent]: “Hey ... Crocodile Dundee. I loved being with them, and I had a spirits up and never let you down.” W Very cool.” great time with them growing up and I still And the late George Harrison. “I was have a great time. But that’s as near as I Strange Bedfellows opens in cinemas nationally getting into my car in the parking lot of the come to passion, I guess. I mean I don’t on April 22. ‘38 THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY – APRIL 2004 THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY – APRIL 2004 39