Deborra-Lee Furness

Deborra-Lee Furness – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Learn about Deborra-Lee Furness — Australian actress, producer, and advocate (born 30 November 1955). Explore her life story, major roles, quotes, and the legacy she continues to build.

Introduction

Deborra-Lee Furness is an Australian actress, producer, and humanitarian whose presence on screen is matched by her dedication off it. Born on 30 November 1955 in Sydney, Australia, she has built a diverse career across film, television, and advocacy, especially in the fields of adoption and child welfare. Known for roles in Shame, Jindabyne, and The Owls of Ga’Hoole, Furness also carved a distinct identity through her philanthropic work and public voice on social issues.

Early Life and Family

Deborra-Lee Furness was born in Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales, and later raised in Melbourne, Victoria.

Her early life included pragmatic preparation: at age 18, she attended secretarial school to acquire shorthand and typing skills, following her mother’s advice that she should have a fallback option if acting didn’t work out.

Furness's first job was working at Channel 9 as an assistant to the news director, John Sorell. She later became a researcher and on-air reporter for the program No Man’s Land.

She traveled through Europe for a year before pursuing formal acting training.

Education & Training

Furness studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, completing her training around 1981 or 1982.

While in New York, she performed on stage and appeared in the U.S. television series Falcon Crest (as Kathleen, an Australian wife), before eventually returning to Australia to further her acting career.

Career and Achievements

Film & Television Highlights

Furness’s career spans decades, with a mix of Australian and international projects.

• In 1988, she starred in Shame, a film role that brought her awards from the Film Critics Circle of Australia and at the Seattle International Film Festival.

• She appeared in Jindabyne (2006) and lent her voice to Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010) as Barran.

• On television, she has credits in Correlli (where she met Hugh Jackman), Fire, Neighbours, The Flying Doctors, Halifax f.p., and various guest appearances.

Furness has also produced and contributed behind the scenes as a creative collaborator.

Advocacy & Humanitarian Work

Beyond acting, Furness is deeply committed to child welfare, adoption, and refugee issues:

• She is one of the founders of National Adoption Awareness Week in Australia and has pushed for reform in national adoption laws.

• She serves as patron of the Lighthouse Foundation (for displaced children) and International Adoption Families Queensland.

• Furness acts as a World Vision ambassador and sits on the advisory board for Film Aid International, working with refugees globally.

• In 2014 she was named New South Wales Australian of the Year for her advocacy efforts.

• In 2022, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in recognition of her service to adoption and the arts.

Personal Life

Furness met actor Hugh Jackman on the set of Correlli in 1995 and they married on 11 April 1996 in Melbourne.

They faced two miscarriages and later adopted two children: a son born in 2000 and a daughter born in 2005.

In September 2023, Furness and Jackman publicly announced their separation. In May 2025, Furness filed for divorce, which was finalized in June 2025.

Personality, Philosophy & Talents

Furness is both creative and grounded. She has expressed the desire to constantly evolve:

“You know, I’m still deciding what I’m going to be when I grow up.”

She also speaks openly about public scrutiny and self-judgment:

“I know I’m being judged, and anyone who works in the public eye will get some negativity at some point. It can be tough and it hurts. I can be very tough on myself.”

She finds strength in self-esteem and giving back:

“If you have a good self-esteem, you can be generous, you can give back and you can be productive in the world.”

She also enjoys design and creativity beyond acting:

“If I wasn’t an actress, I’d be a designer. I love interior design and inventing things that are practical but also beautiful — looking at a space and creating magic.”

Her lighter side comes through too:

“My secret indulgent food is dessert. I have an incredible sweet tooth — chocolate pudding with vanilla ice-cream or trifle and pavlova. I do love dessert.”

Famous Quotes of Deborra-Lee Furness

Here are several quotes that reflect Furness’s mindset, values, and voice:

1. “You know, I’m still deciding what I’m going to be when I grow up.”

2. “I know I’m being judged, and anyone who works in the public eye will get some negativity at some point. It can be tough and it hurts. I can be very tough on myself.”

3. “If you have a good self-esteem, you can be generous, you can give back and you can be productive in the world.”

4. “If I wasn’t an actress, I’d be a designer. I love interior design and inventing things that are practical but also beautiful — looking at a space and creating magic.”

5. “My secret indulgent food is dessert. I have an incredible sweet tooth — chocolate pudding with vanilla ice-cream or trifle and pavlova. I do love dessert.”

6. “My most amazing discovery was becoming a mother. It changed everything. I can’t imagine my life without these little beings.”

Lessons from Deborra-Lee Furness

1. Identity is fluid. Her quote about still deciding who she will be underscores that creativity and growth are lifelong.

2. Vulnerability is strength. She acknowledges judgment and pain, yet continues to speak openly.

3. Giving back amplifies success. Her advocacy and humanitarian work show that public influence carries responsibility.

4. Embrace multiple passions. She doesn’t confine herself to acting — design, production, activism all matter.

5. Love and family are foundational but evolving. Through adoption, partnership, separation, she continues to honor family in the midst of life’s transitions.

Conclusion

Deborra-Lee Furness is a multifaceted figure: a performer, creator, advocate, and evolving human being. Her work on screen is matched by her efforts to impact real lives, particularly children, adoption systems, and refugee communities. Her life reminds us that artistry and purpose need not be mutually exclusive, and that growth continues across every chapter.

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