Before they were famous

The humble beginnings of Australia's superstars

Everybody had to start somewhere. Before the Oscars, before the Grammys, the likes of Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush and Kylie Minogue were just aspiring young talents looking for an opportunity... and they got it! These are not necessarily the first appearances by these now famous actors and singers, but they certainly capture the early talent, charm, hopes and dreams that would ultimately take them to the top.

A 10-year-old Barry Gibb performing on live television in 1960.

The Bee Gees' first national TV performance

The Bee Gees’ first national TV appearance on Nine’s variety show Desmond and the Channel 9 Pins, on 12 August 1960.

Head and shoulders shot of Kylie Minogue at age 8 in an episode of The Sullivans. She is looking upwards, away from the camera and her hair is partly covering her face.

Kylie on The Sullivans

This episode of The Sullivans (1976–83) features 8-year-old Kylie Minogue in her first TV acting role.

Manager On The Case

A baby-faced Russell Crowe plays Norman Courtney, the 'injured employee' in this short film about the Commonwealth Agency rehabilitation program.

Nicole Kidman, wearing her school trackies, in a scene from Winners (episode Room to Move)

Winners: Room to Move (1985)

Nicole Kidman, in the tradermark curls of her early years as an actress, stars in a telemovie which was criticised at the time for 'undermining parental authority'.

Jacki Weaver, smiling and holding a box of 'Rice Krinkles', featuring her face on the front. In the box, Jacqui is seen eating the product.

Jacki Weaver advertising Rice Krinkles (1965)

This commercial for the Nabisco-owned breakfast cereal Rice Krinkles features an 18-year-old Jacki Weaver.

David Wenham, wearing a singlet, working in a kitchen manufacturing workshop

Don't Touch Wood!

David Wenham plays a tradie with no sense of professionalism or customer service, bringing down his mate's struggling kitchen manufacturing business.

Noise

Bryan Brown stars as a factory worker and aspiring foreman who must make a decision between being bullied at work, or risk losing his hearing.

Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, pictured from waist up, both aged approximately 8 or 9, in a 1979 episode of the series Skyways.

Child stars Kylie and Jason in Skyways

Before their famed roles in Neighbours, Kylie and Jason appeared on screen together years earlier as sister and brother in the Crawford Productions television series, Skyways (197

Out Of Control

This dramatised film features Noah Taylor in one of his first roles, as a teenage drug dealer.

One Good Reason

Bill Hunter features as Major Tom Archer in this film about the dilemma of an army major who is considering resigning to take a job in private enterprise.

Geoffrey Rush, looking angry and wearing a headset microphone on the stage of the Sydney Opera House

Geoffrey Rush in Starstruck

In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance, Geoffrey Rush plays the stage manager during the Sydney Opera House finale of Gillian Armstrong's Starstruck.

Zoe Carides and Ben Mendelhson stare at each other at the entrance of a night club. There are blue neon signs reading 'S Club' on both sides of the door. Paul Gleeson stands behind them.

The Insiders - A Journey Through Form S

Zoe Carides and Ben Mendelsohn star in an instructional video for high school kids, teaching them why they should do their tax return, and how to fill out the corresponding form.

Jack Thompson in an office, wearing a tie

Case Histories in Supervision, episode 2: By-Pass

One of Jack Thompsons earliest roles, as a young designer frustrated at a manager who refuses to recognise his good ideas.

Johnny O'Keefe on the set of Sing Sing Sing, 1964

JO'K and The Bee Gees on 'Sing Sing Sing'

A young Kylie Minogue leaning on Bradley Kilpatrick's shoulder, in an episode of The Henderson Kids

The Henderson Kids, series 1 episode 2

Kylie Minogue in her first lead role as Charlotte 'Char' Kernow. This series also starred Ben Mendelsohn and Nadine Garner, and premiered on Network Ten on 11 May 1985.

Before they were famous