Famous Australian Media Personalities

Australian Steve Irwin was a world famous, high-spirited, lively host of The Crocodile Hunter television series. A conservationist, he was also part of other shows and documentaries on wildlife and environment. He was known for close encounters with some of the most dangerous and endangered animals in various jungles. He died after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Julian Assange made headlines all over the world in 2010 when WikiLeaks, a non-profit organization founded by him, gained international attention after publishing leaks, such as the Afghanistan war logs and Iraq war logs. After dodging arrest for several years, he was finally arrested in 2019 and is currently imprisoned in HM Prison Belmarsh.

Ruby Rose is an Australian actress, model, and TV presenter. After coming out as a lesbian at the age of 12, Ruby faced many difficulties and has experienced suicidal thoughts throughout her life. Despite struggling with mental health issues, Ruby has gone on to establish herself in the field of entertainment, thereby serving as an inspiration to many across the world.

Rupert Murdoch’s company News Corp owns hundreds of publishing outlets and TV channels around the world, including The Sun, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post and Fox News. His media houses have been accused of hacking the phones of celebrities and public citizens. He has also had to face allegations of bribery and corruption in the UK and the US.

Brianna Keilar is a journalist who previously worked as a general assignment correspondent, Congressional correspondent, and White House correspondent for CNN. She is currently working as CNN's senior political correspondent. In 2019, Keilar, a military spouse, started writing a column titled Home Front, which continues to play an important role in bridging the civilian-military divide.

Adriano Zumbo is an Australian television presenter and pastry chef. He is known for appearing as a guest on the TV show MasterChef Australia. He also hosts his own baking competition show Zumbo's Just Desserts and appears as a judge on Netflix's baking reality television series Sugar Rush. Thanks to his popularity, Zumbo has garnered several nicknames including Sweet Assassin.

Clive James was an Australian critic, journalist, and writer who worked mainly in the United Kingdom. He had a difficult life as a young man and faced many challenges on his way to building a successful career. He began his career as a TV critic and proceeded to establish himself as a writer and poet as well. 

Elisabeth Murdoch is an Australian-born media executive best known for founding the UK-based TV production company Shine Group in 2001. She is also known as the daughter of popular multi-billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch. In 2013, Elisabeth Murdoch was named UK’s fifth most powerful woman by Woman's Hour.

Poh Ling Yeow is a Malaysian-born Australian television presenter, cook, author, actress, and artist who lives and works in Adelaide. A popular figure, Yeow has appeared in several films and popular TV shows like MasterChef Australia. Also known for her humanitarian efforts, Poh Ling Yeow donated her artwork to benefit Flinders Medical Centre in 2003.

Jennifer Hawkins first soared to fame after winning both the Miss Australia and the Miss Universe pageants in 2004. Initially a Newcastle Knights cheerleader, she was named the second-most-sexiest woman in the world by FHM and later gained international recognition with Seven Network travel show The Great Outdoors.

Charlotte Dawson was a New Zealand–Australian TV personality best remembered for her work as the host of popular TV shows, such as Getaway and The Contender Australia. A former model and fashion advocate, Dawson also appeared as a judge on the reality television series, Australia's Next Top Model. Her death by suicide in 2014 made headlines in Australia.

Remembered for the legendary poems Waltzing Matilda and The Man from Snowy River, Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson was an Australian bush poet who depicted rural life through his works. Initially a law clerk and a journalist, he later adopted the pseudonym Banjo, which was his favorite horse’s name.

A prominent Australian media figure, Sonia Kruger has gained fame hosting shows such as Big Brother Australia and Dancing with the Stars. She is also known for appearing in the award-winning film Strictly Ballroom. After several miscarriages, she gave birth to her first child through IVF at age 49.

The younger sister of Australian actor Nicole Kidman, Antonia Kidman was initially a journalist and later gained fame with the series The Little Things. She has also penned books on parenting, such as Feeding Fussy Kids. She is a mother of six and joined law school after the birth of her sixth child.

Kym Johnson began training in dance at age 3 and graduated to ballroom dance at age 13. She soared to fame after winning season 2 of the Australian reality show Dancing with the Stars. Once part of competitive ballroom dancing, she is now also famous for her fitness DVDs.

Best known for his roles in series such as Neighbours and movies such as Infini, Daniel MacPherson has also had a 6-year stint as a co-host of Dancing with the Stars. Initially a sportsperson, he was discovered by an agent at a triathlete event. He was also a Mensa member.

Gold Logie-winning Australian talk show host and radio presenter Carrie Bickmore is best known as the host of The Project. She has also been a UNICEF ambassador and has worked for causes such as brain-cancer and maternal tetanus awareness. She created a stir after accidentally flashing her bottom at the 2021 AACTA Awards.

Born in London, Osher Günsberg moved with his family to Australia as a toddler. He initially soared to fame as Spidey on the Brisbane radio station B105. Starting his TV career as a VJ, he later co-hosted Australian Idol. He once admitted to having suffered from mental illness.

UK-based video journalist Brady Haran is known for his popular YouTube math channel Numberphile. Fans also love his other channels, such as the chemistry-oriented Periodic Videos and the physics-oriented Sixty Symbols, and his podcasts Hello Internet and The Unmade Podcast. He also has inactive channels on language, food, and culture.

At 21, Lisa Wilkinson was the youngest editor of the Australian teen magazine Dolly. She grew up to be a renowned journalist and presenter and is now known for her shows such as The Project. She has also appeared in movies such as Broadcast Battleground and Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.

Legendary Australian cricketer Allan Border, also popularly known as AB, remains to be regarded as one of the best batsmen the game has ever had. Under his captaincy, Australia didn’t just win a World Cup but also brought back the Ashes in 1989. He is also one of Australia’s 100 National Living Treasures.

Multiple BAFTA award-winning Australian journalist and documentary filmmaker John Pilger had begun his career working for media houses such as Daily Telegraph and Daily Mirror. He is vocal about social issues, such as the treatment of the indigenous community in Australia and the US and UK foreign policies.

Australian TV and radio host Rove McManus soared to fame with the show Rove and now also co-owns the TV production company Roving Enterprises. He is also a kangaroo breeder and co-owns a steakhouse too. Fans also know him for the catchphrase “Say hi to your mom for me.”

Australian actor/singer Bec Hewitt began her career at age 5, working in commercials, and later soared to fame as Hayley Smith Lawson from Home and Away. A talented dancer, too, she also won Dancing with the Stars. She has also released chart-busting singles such as All Seats Taken.

Apart from being the father of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, Keith Murdoch was a talented journalist in his own right, who gained fame as a political correspondent for the Sydney Sun. He is also known for carrying the controversial Gallipoli letter to London. He later led The Herald and Weekly Times.

Nine Network presenter and journalist Karl Stefanovic is best known for hosting shows such as Today and 60 Minutes. In his reporting career, spanning over 2 decades, the Gold Logie-winning journalist has covered many major events, such as the Christchurch earthquake and the Japanese tsunami.

Eddie McGuire is an Australian TV presenter, radio presenter, and sports commentator for Fox Footy. A famous name in Australian Football League, McGuire was honored with the Australian Sports Medal in 2001. For his achievements in entertainment, media, and community-based activities, Eddie McGuire was awarded an honorary doctorate by RMIT University on 17 May 2013.           

Best known as the host of RocKwiz, French-Australian presenter Julia Zemiro is a trained theater actor, too, who has worked with the likes of the Bell Shakespeare Company. She has hosted her own interview show, Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery, and has been on shows such as Thank God You’re Here.

Apart from being an award-winning horticulturalist and landscape designer, Jamie Durie has also proved himself to be a skilled TV host. He also owns the architecture company Patio, later renamed Durie Design, and has gained fame for his shows such as The Outdoor Room and HGTV Showdown.

Samantha Armytage is an Australian TV presenter and journalist best known for co-hosting a popular breakfast show called Sunrise from 2013 to 2021. Samantha Armytage has also hosted other shows, such as Bringing Sexy Back and Seven 4.30 News. In 2021, she launched her own podcast titled Something to Talk About with Samantha Armytage.

Born to a cattleman father, Storm Keating spent her early years on her family farms. Initially a TV producer, she has been part of shows such as The Apprentice Australia and The Voice UK. Now a luxury fashion designer, she also maintains a fashion blog. She is married to singer Ronan Keating.

Bestselling Australian author Peter FitzSimons has had an illustrious career as a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald for over three decades. Apart from penning biographies, he has written books such as Burke and Wills. He has also played national-level rugby for the Wallabies.

Indigenous Australian actor Ernie Dingo initially gained fame with his award-winning performance in the series Tudawali. He was also a talented basketball player before he stepped into films. An Australian National Living Treasure, he is known for films such as Crocodile Dundee II and also starred with Cate Blanchett in Heartland.

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.