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.

Shane Warne was a former Australian cricket player, best known for his leg-break bowling. Widely regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time, Warne was the second-highest wicket-taker in test cricket. He was also one of the most controversial cricketers. In 2013, Shane Warne was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

The younger sister of Australian popstar Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue had begun her career on Australian TV as a child actor. Known for her award-winning role of Emma Jackson in the soap Home and Away, she later also launched a music career, appeared in movies and plays, and introduced a clothing line.

Ricky Ponting is an Australian retired cricket player best known for his abilities as a batsman, fielder, and captain. Widely regarded as one of the modern-time greats, Ponting is the leading run-scorer for Australia in Test and ODI cricket. Ponting captained the Australian Test team between 2004 and 2011 and is considered one of the most successful cricket captains of all time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Canadian-Australian actor Aden Young is best known to fans as Daniel Holden from Rectify. Born to a CBC broadcaster father, he participated in theater even as a child. He later also gained fame with films such as I, Frankenstein and The Unseen. He is married to Australian singer Loene Carmen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.           

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.

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.

 Australian cricket commentator and former cricketer, Lisa Sthalekar, was once the captain of Australia's international women's cricket team. Born in India and adopted by parents who lived in USA, she was introduced to cricket by her father. She started playing professionally as a young woman and went on to have an exemplary career. She retired in 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apart from being a SBS newsreader for 3 decades, Lee Lin Chin has also presented comedy segments and a comedy cooking show. Born to Chinese parents in Indonesia, she began her journalism career in Singapore and moved to Australia later. She has also done voice-over and appeared in films such as Resistance.

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.