Nine Home and Away actors who went on to stardom
Australian soap Home and Away has been running for over 20 years, and during that time it has seen many actors and actresses come and go. The show has long been popular in Australia and the United Kingdom, but many who started on the show have gone on to bigger and better things in the United States.
Here’s some of the Home and Away alumni that now appear on television and in movies in the United States.
Chris Hemsworth
If Chris Hemsworth’s name isn’t familiar, his good looks might be better known: most recently he played the role of James T. Kirk’s father, George Kirk, in J. J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek and also appeared in the thriller A Perfect Getaway.
Hemsworth played the role of Kim Hyde on Home and Away from 2004 to 2007, and will star in upcoming horror film The Cabin in the Woods (executive produced by Joss Whedon0 and will portray Jed Eckert in the upcoming Red Dawn remake.
Guy Pearce
Making his TV debut in Australian soap Neighbors, Guy Pearce played the role of David Croft on Home and Away from 1991-1992.
His first major film was as a drag queen in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994. Since then, he has appeared in L.A. Confidential, Ravenous, Rules of Engagement, Memento, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Time Machine. Pearce recently portrayed pop artist Andy Warhol in Factory Girl and Harry Houdini in Death Defying Acts.
Heath Ledger
Ledger started as Scott Irwin on Home and Away in 1997 before going on to film his break out role in 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999. After his sad death in 2008, Ledger won a best supporting actor oscar for his role in the Dark Knight.
Isla Fisher
From 1994 to 1997 Isla Fisher played the role of Shannon Reed on Home and Away. After finishing with the show, she headed overseas and performed on stage in London before landing the role of Mary-Jane in the Scooby Doo movie. Her role in Wedding Crashers, alongside Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson won her the Breakthrough Performance Award at the MTV Movie Awards, and was followed by a range of roles that ultimately lead her to star in the movie adaption of the book Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Isabel Lucas
Lucas played the role of Tasha Andrews on Home and Away from 2003–2006 before heading across the Pacific for bigger and better things. Last seen on the big screen in Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, interest in Lucas continues to grow. She also appears in a lead role in the forthcoming Spielberg mini-series The Pacific.
Julian McMahon
The son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon, Julian played the role of Ben Lucini on Home and Away from 1990–1991.
A popular actor on American TV, Julian McMahon best known for his portrayals of Cole Turner in The WB hit series Charmed, womanizing plastic surgeon Christian Troy on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning TV show Nip/Tuck, and Doctor Doom/Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
Melissa George
After a stint modeling as a teenager, Melissa George appeared played Angel Parrish on Home and Away between 1993-1996.
After small roles in Dark City, The Limey, Mulholland Drive and Down with Love she starred in the series Charmed for the sixth season premiere. George achieved a significant breakthrough in 2003 when she landed the role of Lauren Reed on the ABC series Alias. Appearing in The Amityville Horror, she went on to appear in a number of movies before appearing in Grey’s Anatomy for 11 episodes as Sadie Harris.
Ryan Kwanten
Ryan Kwanten played lifeguard Vinnie Patterson on Home and Away from 1997-2002, before playing Jay Robertson in the Lori Loughlin-starring series Summerland from 2004-2005. Kwanten currently plays the role of Jason Stackhouse in True Blood.
Tammin Sursok
Tammin Sursok started her career playing Dani Sutherland on Home and Away from 2000-2004. After a failed attempt at a singing career, Tammin headed State side where she landed the role of Colleen Carlton on The Young and The Restless in 2007.
Other notable actors/ actresses to appear on Home and Away
Simon Baker: a brief role as James Healey in 1994
Naomi Watts: a brief role as Julie Gibson on Home and Away in 1991
Kristy Wright: Chloe Richards from 1995-1999. Appeared on Beastmaster as a ninja warrior
Justin Melvey: played Harry Keller Reynolds from 1999-2001. Went on to play Dr. Colin Murphy on Days of our Lives from 2001-2004.
Jason Smith: played Robbie Hunter from 2003-2007. Played Casey, the Red Ranger, in Power Rangers: Jungle Fury, a role than won him the 2005 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award for “Fave Tv Star” & “Fave Pash”
