Few actors perform leading roles in film and television with such dedication as Geoffrey Rush. Known for his impersonations, Rush is one of Australia's greatest actors. If we talk about awards, then he has a complete collection, which only a few can boast of. 
1. Started his career as a theater actor 
While studying at the University of Queensland, Rush appeared in several plays and upon graduation was hired by the Queensland Theater Company. As part of the troupe, he played in more than 15 performances, including “Juno and the Peacock.” Then Jeffrey spent two years improving his acting skills at the school of the legendary mime Jacques Lecoq in Paris. Over the years, Rush took part in legendary productions, including Broadway. Among them are “The Blind Giant Dancing” (1983), “Hamlet” (1994), “Diary of a Madman” (2011), “King Lear” (2015-2016).
2. Breakthrough film role 
Although Geoffrey Rush made his film debut in 1981 in Claude Washam's Australian thriller The Fool, his breakthrough role did not come until 15 years later. He brilliantly played pianist David Halfgott in the biographical melodrama Glitter. Rush had piano skills, but for this role he took up training again and played all the parts without an understudy.
3. One of the few winners of the "triple crown of acting" 
The "Triple Crown of Acting" is a term used for actors who have won an Oscar, a Tony, and an Emmy. There are currently only 24 such actors.
4. President of the Australian Academy of Film and Television 
In 2011, Geoffrey Rush founded the Australian Academy of Film and Television. The actor served as president from 2011 to 2017 until he resigned following allegations of “inappropriate behavior.” The organization's current president and vice president are Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, and its ambassador is Cate Blanchett.
5. Highest-grossing films 
Films with Rush's participation become box office successes. The most successful of them is “Minions” in 2015, in which the actor became the narrator. The cartoon earned $1.159 billion. The second film was “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End” in 2007. The film grossed $963.4 million. In third place is “Finding Nemo” from 2003, $940.3 million.
6. Two-year hiatus from acting after allegations of sexual harassment 
On November 30, 2017, the Sydney tabloid The Daily Telegraph published an article about Rush's harassment of actress Erin Jean Norville during their collaboration on the play King Lear. 8 days later, the actor filed a libel suit, and in April 2018 he won the case and received compensation in the amount of $2 million.
A few months later, another Australian actress, Yael Stone, alleged that Rush sexually harassed her. This time, the actor apologized for the pain caused, saying that it was not done intentionally.
7. Married to an actress 
Rush is married to actress Jane Menelos. They have been married since November 20, 1988 and have two children - daughter Angelica and son James. In 1990, the couple could be seen in the play “The Importance of Being Serious.”
8. Voice Actor 
Geoffrey Rush's first screen role was as the narrator in Gillian Armstrong's romantic drama Oscar and Lucinda (1997). In 2000, he voiced Bunyip Bluegum in The Magic Pudding (2000). In addition to Finding Nemo (2003) and Minions (2015), he also voiced Angel in 9.99$ (2008), Ezylryb in Legends of the Nightwatch (2010) and Tomar-Re in the film Green Lantern" (2011).
9. Works on television 
Geoffrey Rush made his television debut as Jim Boy in the TV series Consumer Mischief (1979-1988). He played Peter Fuller and Bill Wyatt in Menotti (1981) and Mercury (1996). His most notable television work was the role of Albert Einstein in the anthology drama Genius (2017).
1 comment
