Inspiring person

  • Birthday

    Rush was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, to Merle (née Kiehne), a department store sales assistant, and Roy Baden Rush, an accountant for the Royal Australian Air Force.
  • oscar

    He won an Oscar for playing David Helfgott in Shine , making him one of eleven actors to win the Award for playing a real person who was still alive at the evening of the Award ceremony (as of 2007).
  • Alumnus

    He was named Alumnus of the Year by the University of Queensland (Australia) in 1998.
  • 2001

    He was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal in the 2001 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to the arts especially through a distinguished acting career.
  • community groups

    Actively involved with Melbourne Community Groups in preserving historical landscapes from adverse development; particularly in regard to Camberwell Railway Station where he organized a protest march, attended by Barry Humphries amongst other luminaries (2004).
  • tony award

    He was awarded the 2009 Tony Award for Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the play, "Exit the King" on Broadway in New York City.
  • Australian of the year

    Rush was awarded the Australian of the Year for 2012 by Australian PM Julia Gillard.