Australian Celebrities Born In May

Cate Blanchett is one of the most celebrated actresses of her times. She attained fame with the drama film, Elizabeth, in 1998. The Aviator, Blue Jasmine, Notes on a Scandal, Carol, The Talented Mr Ripley, Babel and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are some of her other acclaimed and successful films. She has won two Academy awards so far.

Regarded as a timeless icon, Kylie Minogue is one of the most popular singer-songwriters of her generation. Referred to as the Princess of Pop and Goddess of Pop, she is the best-selling female Australian musician of all time. Also known as the Mother of Reinvention, Kylie is revered for her contribution to fashion and music.

Scott Morrison served as the 30th prime minister of Australia between 2018 and 2022. He led his coalition to an unexpected victory in the 2019 election. Morrison's term witnessed increased tension between China and Australia. He was criticised for failure to adequately address climate change in Australia. His coalition was defeated in 2022 election and subsequently he resigned as the leader of the Liberal Party.

Dianne Buswell is an Australian dancer best known for showcasing her dancing skills in the popular British TV show, Strictly Come Dancing. After starting her training in ballroom dance at the age of four, Dianne Buswell began participating in shows like So You Think You Can Dance Australia, Burn the Floor, and Dancing with the Stars.

Best known as Pepper Steiger from the Australian soap Neighbours, Nicky Whelan is the granddaughter of Victorian Football League player Marcus Whelan. She has also been part of films such as Hall Pass and Halloween II. She is well-versed in boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, too.

Nellie Melba was an Australian singer. One of the most popular singers of the early 20th century, Melba was the first Australian classical musician to achieve international recognition. Also known for her charity work during the First World War, Nellie Melba was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1918.

Born to Greek immigrants, Australian actor Socratis Otto is a NIDA alumnus. He is best known as Maxine Conway from Wentworth and as Charles Darwin from the docudrama Darwin's Brave New World. He has also directed the series Homespun. He has also appeared in movies such as The Matrix Reloaded.

Anthony Mundine is an Australian former rugby league footballer and former professional boxer. He competed from 2000 to 2021 as a boxer and held championship titles, such as the WBA super-middleweight title, the IBO middleweight title, and the WBA interim super-welterweight title. Before becoming a boxer, Mundine was a popular figure in the National Rugby League (NRL). 

Henry Parkes was a politician who served as the premier of the Colony of New South Wales. Serving at different time periods throughout the 1870s and 1880s, Parkes was the longest non-consecutive premier in the Colony of New South Wales history. Considered the Father of Federation, Parkes was described as the most commanding figure in Australian politics by The Times.

Born to a Serbian musician/model father and a British model mother, Holly Valance first gained fame as Felicity Scully in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. She later created a sensation in the world of pop, with hits such as Kiss Kiss. She now co-owns The Candy Foundation with her husband, Nick Candy.

Australian actor-singer Nicholas Hamilton is best known as Rellian from Captain Fantastic and as Henry Bowers from It and its sequel. The openly gay actor has also won a Tropfest Short Film Festival award for the short film Time. He later gained fame with his single Different Year.

Douglas Mawson was an Australian Antarctic explorer, geologist, and academic. Counted among the most important leaders of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, Mawson was honored with a knighthood in 1914. Best remembered for his contribution to Australian geology, Mawson was featured on the Australian one-hundred-dollar note from 1984 to 1996.

Australian comedian, actor, writer, and singer Gina Riley is best known for her sketch shows such as Fast Forward and Full Frontal. She soared to fame with the sitcom Kath & Kim, which she co-created, and has also appeared in musical theater. She is a breast cancer survivor.

Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist. He started early, becoming a professional musician at the age of six! He initially played with his family band. After the death of his father, he became a part of country music star Buddy Williams’ band. As a young man, he played for many bands and also pursued a solo career. 

Judith Wright was an Australian environmentalist, poet, and campaigner for Indigenous land rights. Wright is credited with founding one of the earliest environmental conservation movements in Australia. Best remembered for her poetry skills, Judith Wright won the prestigious Christopher Brennan Award in 1976. In 1991, she was honored with the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.

Pat Cash is an Australian retired tennis player renowned for popularizing the act of climbing into the stands to celebrate. The celebration, which has been carried on as a tradition, was first showcased by Cash in 1987 when he won the men's singles championship title at Wimbledon. Cash was also part of the Davis Cup-winning team in 1983 and 1986.

Kelly Gale is a Swedish-Australian model best known for her association with Playboy, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and Victoria's Secret. In September 2016, she was chosen as the Playboy Playmate of the Month. One of the most popular Swedish models of her generation, Kelly Gale has walked runways for famous designers like Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Australian fitness trainer Kayla Itsines had initially wished to become a beauty therapist but later deviated to fitness. She has not only released best-selling fitness books, but has also launched the fitness app Sweat with Kayla and several Bikini Body Guides, replete with high-intensity workouts and diet plans.

Erin McNaught is an Australian actress, model, television personality, and presenter. McNaught achieved both fame and notoriety when she represented Australia in the 2006 Miss Universe competition where she was one of the most controversial participants. Over the years, Erin McNaught has also taken part in charity campaigns, such as UK's Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Order of Australia Medal-winning Jessica Watson made headlines with her solo attempt of circumnavigating the world, though it fell short of the official criteria. The Australian sailor and explorer had grown up in a cabin cruiser and double-decker bus. She has recounted her experience in a documentary and a book.

Best known for her roles in series such as Strange Angel and The Man In The High Castle, Australian actor Bella Heathcote has also appeared in movies such as Fifty Shades Darker and Dark Shadows. She fond of men’s fashion and loves collecting skulls and lava lamps as a hobby.

Best known as the host of shows such as Australia's Funniest Home Video Show, Jo Beth Taylor had stepped into showbiz as a singer at age 5. She quit her career abruptly in 1997, which she later claimed was a decision made to avoid a stalker and malicious rumors.

South African-Australian former cricketer Mickey Arthur played for Free State, Griqualand West, and South Africa A before starting his coaching career with Griqualand West. He has coached the Pakistani, Australian, and South African national teams and now serves as the head coach of the Sri Lankan national team.

In her 19-year stint as a basketball player, Penny Taylor has mostly represented the WNBA team Phoenix Mercury. She also won gold medals as part of the Australian women’s national team. Though she had a heterosexual marriage earlier, she is now openly lesbian and married to fellow basketball player Diana Taurasi.

Andy Lee is an Australian television presenter, comedian, children's writer, and musician. He is best known as one-half of the popular comedy duo, Hamish & Andy, which he formed along with Hamish Blake in 2003. Andy Lee is also credited with forming a couple of musical bands, namely Zoophyte and Coolboys and the Frontman.