Paul Hogan

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Paul Hogan – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Paul Hogan – comprehensive biography of the Australian actor and comedian behind Crocodile Dundee, exploring his life, career, influence, and memorable sayings like “That’s not a knife… that’s a knife.”

Introduction

Paul Hogan (born 8 October 1939) is an Australian actor, comedian, writer, and television personality whose charisma and laconic humour made him a global figure in the 1980s and beyond. His signature role as Mick “Crocodile” Dundee catapulted him to international stardom. Hogan’s style combined Australian larrikin wit, self-deprecation, and an everyman persona, which resonated across cultures. In this article, we delve into the life and career of Paul Hogan, chart his achievements, and collect some of his most memorable quotes.

Early Life and Family

Paul Hogan was born on 8 October 1939 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.

Hogan’s upbringing was modest; his early years were not tied to show business, and his later rise was unexpected.

In personal life, Hogan has been married twice. He married his first wife, Noelene Edwards, in 1958; they separated in 1981, remarried briefly, and divorced again around 1990. Linda Kozlowski, his co-star in Crocodile Dundee; they divorced in 2014.

He has six children: five from his first marriage (Brett, Clay, Scott, Todd, Lauren) and one with Kozlowski (Chance).

Youth, Beginnings, and Entry into Entertainment

Before his entertainment career, Hogan held manual labor roles, including working as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge—work that demanded physical courage and grit.

His break into show business came in 1971, on the Australian television talent show New Faces. Rather than performing a conventional act, he leaned into comedy and satire: claiming to be a “tap-dancing knife-thrower,” he made jokes at the expense of the judges and disrupted expectations. The public responded enthusiastically, and he was invited back. A Current Affair, where he offered humorous commentary.

In 1973, Hogan launched The Paul Hogan Show, a sketch comedy program he wrote, produced, and starred in. It ran until 1984 and was also sold internationally, including in the UK and South Africa.

In commercials, Hogan also became well known for his Winfield cigarette ads in Australia, which often ended with his catchphrase: “Anyhow, have a Winfield.”

Rise to Fame & Major Achievements

Crocodile Dundee and Global Stardom

Hogan’s defining moment came in 1986 when he co-wrote and starred in Crocodile Dundee, playing the rugged bushman Mick Dundee.

For Crocodile Dundee, Hogan won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (1987) and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Crocodile Dundee II (1988) and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001).

Hogan later turned down many roles that would have replicated the action-hero archetype (he reportedly objected to being typecast in violent roles), preferring to maintain his comedic identity.

Other Film & Television Work

After Dundee, Hogan worked on a variety of films:

• Almost an Angel (1990) – he starred and co-wrote.

• Lightning Jack (1994) – a comic western he wrote, produced, and starred in.

• Flipper (1996) – a family film in which he took a supporting role.

• Floating Away (1998) – a smaller dramatic role.

• Charlie & Boots (2009) – a road movie featuring Hogan as the father journeying with his son.

• The Very Excellent Mr Dundee (2020) – in which he plays an older Hogan interacting again with the Dundee legacy.

Hogan also made occasional television appearances and toured as a stand-up performer later in life.

Honors and Awards

• In 1985, Hogan was named Australian of the Year.

• In 1986, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contributions to entertainment and tourism.

• In 2016, he received the Longford Lyell Award, the highest honor of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA).

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul Hogan’s rise happened during a period when Australian media and film were gaining more global attention. The 1970s and 1980s saw a resurgence in Australian cinema (the “Australian New Wave”), with local stories and distinctive voices becoming exportable. Hogan’s work tapped into an archetypal Australian identity—rustic, humourous, and self-reliant—that international audiences found exotic and appealing.

His tourism ads and the Dundee films arguably shaped the global image of Australia during the late 20th century: the notion of the rugged outback, the friendly but laconic bushman, and a sense of space and wilderness.

Hogan's persona also had risks: the Duncan Dundee character sometimes relied on stereotypes, cross-cultural humor, and a romanticized vision of the “Aussie bushman.” Over time, changing attitudes toward representation and cultural sensitivity meant the character’s reception and legacy have been reassessed.

Legacy and Influence

Paul Hogan stands as one of Australia’s most iconic entertainment exports. His creation of Crocodile Dundee not only made him internationally famous, but also left a lasting footprint in pop culture: phrases like “That’s not a knife… that’s a knife!” became globally recognized.

He showed that an Australian actor—starting from humble origins, outside Hollywood’s studio system—could break through globally with persona and film rooted in local identity. His success helped open doors for subsequent Australian actors and filmmakers in the international arena.

Even decades later, Hogan remains part of the conversation about how Australia is perceived abroad. His tourism campaigns and screen persona contributed to the soft power and cultural branding of Australia.

In recent years, Hogan has revisited his past legacy (for example in The Very Excellent Mr Dundee) and acknowledged that certain scenes or portrayals would need rethinking in modern cultural contexts.

Personality and Style

Hogan’s public persona is affable, unpretentious, and grounded. He leans on humour rather than dramatic gravitas, and he often plays roles close to himself—quirky, roguish, resilient. His comedic style is typically dry, understated, and anchored in his Australian identity.

He has often expressed discomfort with fame and typecasting; he resisted roles that he felt would distort his comedic voice or turn him into an action stereotype. His approach to performance was pragmatic—seek to entertain, maintain authenticity, and avoid overextending into roles unsuited to his persona.

In personal reflections, he has admitted flaws—particularly in relationships and in navigating public life—but has often remained frank, self-deprecating, and reflective.

Memorable Quotes by Paul Hogan

Here are several quotes attributed to Paul Hogan that reflect his humour, outlook, and wit:

• “That’s not a knife… that’s a knife!” — the iconic line from Crocodile Dundee

• “There are three Gs to accepting an award: Be Gracious … Be Grateful … and Get Off!”

• “I didn’t star in a movie until I was 46.”

• “Well, there’s nothing strange about Americans as a whole. But Angelinos are different!”

• “I only work every couple of years. I go into retirement between films.”

These reflect his dry humour, modesty, and occasional bemusement with fame.

Lessons from Paul Hogan

1. Authenticity can be your strength. Hogan succeeded by leaning into being himself—his accent, his humour, his Australian identity—rather than trying to fit into generic Hollywood molds.

2. It’s never too late. Hogan’s breakthrough came in mid-life; he didn’t become a global star until his 40s.

3. Control your brand. He resisted being typecast into violent or action roles that didn’t suit him, preserving his comedic integrity.

4. Cultivate a signature. His Dundee character created enduring recognition; a distinct character or voice can transcend time.

5. Adapt with time. Hogan has acknowledged that some past scenes or portrayals may not stand in new cultural contexts—and has been willing to revisit or adjust.

Conclusion

Paul Hogan’s journey—from bridge rigger to international star—is a testament to wit, risk, and staying true to one’s voice. His most famous creation, Mick Dundee, remains one of cinema’s enduring cultural icons, and Hogan’s global success showed how a local persona could resonate worldwide.

While his later years have seen legal, personal, and reputational challenges, his place in film history and in the perception of Australia abroad is secure. His legacy continues through clones of his comedic style, ongoing references to his lines, and a body of work that bridges entertainment and national identity.