Geoffrey Rush

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22 Feb 2024

Geoffrey Rush

Geoffrey Roy Rush AC, born on July 6, 1951, is an esteemed Australian actor renowned for his captivating performances both on stage and screen. He stands among the elite group of individuals who have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting, boasting an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award among his accolades. Additionally, Rush has been honored with three British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. His contributions to the Australian film industry are profound, evident in his role as the founding president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, and his recognition as the 2012 Australian of the Year.

Rush commenced his professional acting journey with the Queensland Theatre Company in 1971, marking the beginning of a remarkable career. He further honed his craft at the L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq for two years, starting in 1975. His stage presence transcended borders, captivating audiences in international productions of revered works such as Waiting for Godot, The Winter's Tale, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Rush made a memorable Broadway debut in 2009 with the absurdist comedy Exit the King, earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his stellar performance. His excellence on stage continued to be recognized with a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play for Diary of a Madman in 2011.

Rush gained widespread acclaim for his role in Shine (1996), a performance that earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. He further solidified his reputation with Oscar-nominated portrayals in Shakespeare in Love (1998), Quills (2000), and The King's Speech (2010). Beyond the realm of drama, Rush endeared himself to audiences worldwide with his portrayal of Captain Hector Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (2003–2017). His diverse filmography includes notable works such as Elizabeth (1998), Les Misérables (1998), Frida (2002), Finding Nemo (2003), Intolerable Cruelty (2003), Munich (2005), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and The Book Thief (2013).

In addition to his illustrious film career, Rush has left an indelible mark on television, earning critical acclaim and Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his roles in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) and the National Geographic anthology series Genius (2017), where he portrayed scientist Albert Einstein. His dedication to his craft and his ability to breathe life into complex characters have cemented his status as one of Australia's most celebrated actors, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.

Geoffrey Roy Rush was born on July 6, 1951, in Toowoomba, Queensland. His parents were Merle (Bischof), who worked as a department store sales assistant, and Roy Baden Rush, an accountant for the Royal Australian Air Force. Rush's ancestral heritage includes English, Irish, Scottish, and German roots. He grew up alongside an older sister. At the age of five, Rush's parents divorced, leading him to reside with his maternal grandparents in suburban Brisbane.
Before venturing into acting, Rush attended Everton Park State High School and later pursued a bachelor's degree in Arts from the University of Queensland. It was during his university years that Rush's talent was discovered by the Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) in Brisbane. In 1971, he embarked on his professional acting journey with QTC, eventually appearing in a remarkable 17 productions.

Rush's passion for the craft led him to Paris in 1975, where he spent two years studying mime, movement, and theatre at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. Upon his return, he resumed his stage career with QTC, enriching his skills and repertoire. Notably, in 1979, Rush had the opportunity to share an apartment with fellow actor Mel Gibson for four months while they collaborated on a stage production of Waiting for Godot, further fueling his dedication to the art of performance.

Geoffrey Rush began his theatrical journey with the Queensland Theatre Company (QTC), marking his debut in the production of Wrong Side of the Moon. Over the course of four years with QTC, Rush showcased his versatility in various roles spanning classical plays to pantomime, from Juno and the Paycock to the unconventional Hamlet on Ice. Seeking further artistic enrichment, Rush ventured to Paris for advanced studies.

In 1981, Rush made his foray into the world of cinema with his debut in the Australian film Hoodwink. This was followed by his role in Gillian Armstrong's Starstruck the subsequent year. Alongside his film endeavors, Rush maintained a presence in theatre, participating in productions of William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale and Troilus and Cressida, among others. He notably graced the stage in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, sharing the spotlight with his wife, Jane Menelaus.

Throughout the 1990s, Rush continued to hone his craft, taking on television roles, including a memorable portrayal as a dentist in a 1993 episode of the British series Lovejoy. Concurrently, he remained committed to theatrical performances. Notably, in 1994, Rush delivered a captivating rendition of Horatio in a production of Hamlet, showcasing his talent alongside esteemed actors Richard Roxburgh, Jacqueline McKenzie, and David Wenham in the Company B production at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney.

Geoffrey Rush's cinematic breakthrough came in 1996 with his remarkable performance in Shine, a role that earned him the prestigious Academy Award for Best Actor. In preparation for the part, Rush revisited piano lessons, showcasing his dedication to authenticity by mastering the instrument himself, eschewing the use of a hand double. Despite his rising acclaim, Rush famously turned down a role in James L. Brooks' As Good as It Gets, opting instead to focus on other endeavors.
In September 1998, Rush graced the stage once again, taking on the titular role in The Marriage of Figaro, marking the opening production of the Optus Playhouse at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane. This endeavor served as a testament to Rush's versatility and theatrical prowess.

The late 1990s saw Rush's ascent in the realm of costume dramas. He portrayed the formidable Javert in Les Misérables, shared the screen with Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth, and brought to life the charming Philip Henslowe in Shakespeare in Love. His performances garnered critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, showcasing his range and depth as an actor.

In 2000, Rush delivered yet another standout performance in Quills, portraying the controversial Marquis de Sade opposite Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, and Michael Caine. His portrayal was lauded by critics, with Rolling Stone hailing it as "volcanic" and "scandalously good." This role earned Rush his third Oscar nomination for Best Actor, solidifying his status as one of the most talented actors of his generation.
Rush's career continued to flourish in the early 2000s, with notable roles in films such as Frida, where he portrayed Leon Trotsky alongside Salma Hayek's Frida Kahlo. Hayek later praised Rush for his collaboration and support during the making of the film, amid her revelations about harassment in Hollywood during the #MeToo Movement. Rush's commitment to his craft and his ability to inhabit a diverse array of characters have cemented his legacy as a true acting virtuoso.