Paul Hogan is an Australian actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter who gained worldwide fame for his role as Michael “Crocodile” Dundee in the Crocodile Dundee film series. He co-wrote the first film and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
Australian comedian and actor Paul Hogan, star of the film ‘Crocodile Dundee’, in London, January 1987. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Before his international breakthrough, Hogan was a prominent figure in Australian television with his own sketch comedy program, The Paul Hogan Show. He also became the face of Australian tourism in a series of popular television commercials. His work has made him one of Australia’s most recognizable entertainment figures .
Paul Hogan attends the premiere of “Crocodile Dundee: The Encore Cut” at Westpac OpenAir Sydney. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)
Paul Hogan was born in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, on 8 October 1939. He grew up in Granville, a suburb of Western Sydney, and left school to begin working at a young age.
One of his most notable early jobs was as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a fact that would later become part of his public persona.
Hogan’s entry into entertainment was unconventional. In 1971, he appeared on the Australian talent show New Faces to make fun of the judges. His comedic performance was a hit with audiences, leading to repeated appearances and eventually catching the eye of television producers. This launched his career in television.
Following his success on New Faces, Hogan was given his own comedy sketch program, The Paul Hogan Show, which he also co-wrote. The show premiered in 1973 and ran until 1984, becoming immensely popular in Australia and the United Kingdom. It was known for its lighthearted, ocker-style humour and memorable characters.
The show established Hogan as a leading comedian in his home country. His everyman appeal and sharp observational comedy resonated with a wide audience. The program’s success provided the foundation for his future ventures in film and international promotion, making him a household name across Australia.
Global stardom with Crocodile Dundee
In 1986, Paul Hogan co-wrote and starred in the action-comedy film Crocodile Dundee. He played Mick Dundee, a rugged and charismatic Australian bushman who travels to New York City. The film was a massive international box-office success, becoming the highest-grossing Australian film ever and the second-highest-grossing film in the United States that year.
The character of Mick Dundee turned Hogan into a global superstar. His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, which he shared with his co-writers Ken Shadie and John Cornell.
The film’s success led to two sequels: Crocodile Dundee II (1988) and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001).
Beyond the film’s success, Hogan became a symbol of Australia to the world. In the mid-1980s, he starred in a series of influential commercials for the Australian Tourism Commission.
His famous line, “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you,” became an iconic, though slightly misquoted, catchphrase that significantly boosted tourism to the country.
Later career and other ventures
Paul Hogan attends the premiere of “Crocodile Dundee: The Encore Cut” at Westpac OpenAir Sydney , Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)
After the initial success of Crocodile Dundee, Hogan starred in other films, including Almost an Angel (1990) and Lightning Jack (1994), both of which he also wrote and produced.
While these films did not achieve the same level of success as his most famous work, they allowed him to continue his career as a leading man in Hollywood.
In later years, Hogan appeared in Australian films such as Charlie & Boots (2009) and The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020), a comedy where he played a fictionalized version of himself. He has also returned to his roots in stand-up comedy, touring with live shows in Australia.
Paul Hogan has been married twice. He first married Noelene Edwards in 1958, and they had five children together. They divorced in 1981 but remarried the following year. Their second marriage ended in an acrimonious divorce in 1990, which was highly publicized in the Australian media.
In 1990, Hogan married his Crocodile Dundee co-star, American actress Linda Kozlowski. The couple had one son, Chance. After more than two decades together, Kozlowski filed for divorce in 2013, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2014.
Tax issues
Beginning in the 2000s, Hogan was involved in a long-running and widely reported dispute with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The investigation, known as Project Wickenby, focused on allegations of tax evasion by high-profile Australians. Hogan consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In 2010, while visiting Australia for his mother’s funeral, the ATO issued a departure prohibition order, preventing him from leaving the country until a substantial tax debt was paid. The order was lifted after he reached a confidential settlement with the tax authorities. In 2012, the criminal investigation against him was dropped.
Fast facts and about and FAQs
What is Paul Hogan’s net worth?
Paul Hogan’s net worth is estimated at $20 million in 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The Australian actor and comedian accumulated his wealth primarily through the global success of the Crocodile Dundee franchise, television career, film production, and commercial appearances. His fortune reportedly peaked at over $75 million before declining following his divorce from Linda Kozlowski and a prolonged tax dispute with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
What condition does Paul Hogan have?
Paul Hogan was diagnosed with retroperitoneal fibrosis, a rare inflammatory condition in which benign fibrous tissue grew around his abdominal aorta and pressed against his kidney. Although corticosteroid treatment resolved the condition, he experienced significant weight and muscle loss, physical weakness, and loss of body fat; he has also had a pacemaker fitted.
Where is Paul Hogan today?
Paul Hogan currently resides in Venice, California, where he has lived for many years. However, he has expressed a strong desire to return to his home country of Australia to spend his final years there.
How old is Paul Hogan?
As of 2026, Paul Hogan is 87 years old. He was born on 8 October 1939.
Conclusion
Paul Hogan remains one of Australia’s most recognizable entertainment icons, best known for his international success in Crocodile Dundee and his influential television career through The Paul Hogan Show. From his humble beginnings in New South Wales to becoming an award-winning actor, comedian, writer and Hollywood star, Hogan has built a career spanning several decades. Despite personal challenges, financial controversies and health struggles, public interest in his net worth, age, wife, children, movies and current life continues. His lasting contribution to Australian comedy, television and international cinema has secured his place as an enduring figure in entertainment history.
