Paul Hogan: The Man Behind Crocodile Dundee

How Much Is Paul Hogan Worth?

Let's talk about Paul Hogan, the legendary Australian actor and comedian whose charm brought Crocodile Dundee to life. Paul's net worth sits at around $20 million today. But here's the thing—his journey hasn't been a straight line. Back in the day, he hit a peak net worth of over $75 million, thanks largely to the massive success of the Crocodile Dundee movies. Paul didn’t just star in those films; he wrote the screenplay, created the iconic character, and even raised the money to get the first one made. That’s right—he owned 60% of the profits from the first film! He even went on to executive produce the sequel in 1988. However, life threw some curveballs his way, like a messy divorce and a long, nasty battle with the Australian Taxation Office. Despite it all, Paul was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1986 for his contributions to tourism and entertainment. Not bad for a guy who started out working on the Sydney Harbor Bridge!

Paul's Early Days

Paul Hogan was born on October 8, 1939, in Sydney, Australia. Now, here’s where things get interesting. Paul likes to tell stories about being born in Lightning Ridge, a tiny outback town, to make himself sound more rugged and adventurous. But the truth is, he grew up in Sydney. As a teenager, he worked as a rigger on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Imagine that—climbing those massive steel beams every day. Paul doesn’t talk much about his early life before he broke into showbiz, but it’s clear that his roots shaped the down-to-earth humor he’d later become famous for.

Breaking Into Show Business

Paul’s big break came in 1971 when he appeared on the Australian talent show "New Faces." Here's the twist: he didn’t win with his talent. Instead, he turned the tables on the judges by making fun of them. Dressed as a tap-dancing knife-thrower, he delivered a hilarious routine that left the audience in stitches. This caught the attention of Mike Willesee, the host of the popular news magazine "A Current Affair," who invited Paul to do comedic segments on his show. That’s where Paul met John Cornell, the show’s producer, who would later become his business partner and lifelong friend.

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In 1973, Paul got his own comedy sketch show called "The Paul Hogan Show." He wrote and produced the show, creating memorable characters alongside his friends Delvene Delaney and John Cornell. The show was a hit not just in Australia but also in the UK and South Africa. It was often compared to "Saturday Night Live" because of its sharp humor and clever sketches. After the show ended, Paul became the face of Australia's tourism campaign, encouraging visitors to "Come and say G’day." His famous line, "I'll throw an extra shrimp on the barbie for you," became a global catchphrase. Within three months of the ads airing, Australia went from being the 78th most desirable vacation destination to the 7th!

The Rise of Crocodile Dundee

Paul’s biggest claim to fame came in 1986 with the release of "Crocodile Dundee." He co-wrote the screenplay with John Cornell, and together they crafted a story that was both Australian and universally appealing. The film, made on a modest budget of just under $10 million, became a global phenomenon, grossing over $325 million worldwide. Critics loved Paul’s natural charm and his chemistry with co-star Linda Kozlowski, whom he later married. The film earned nominations for the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Saturn Awards, with Paul taking home a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy.

The sequel, "Crocodile Dundee II," followed in 1988 and was another box office success, grossing over $235 million. But critics weren’t as kind this time around, calling it slower and less funny. Despite that, Paul’s success allowed him to be picky about future projects. He turned down a bizarre crossover idea with Eddie Murphy's "Beverly Hills Cop," proving he wasn’t about to compromise his brand. However, not all his projects worked out. Movies like "Almost an Angel" and "Lightning Jack" failed to connect with audiences. Still, Paul remained a beloved figure, and he even reprised his role as Mike Dundee in 2001 for "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles," though it didn’t live up to the original.

The Crocodile Dundee Payday

Here’s the part that makes you sit up and take notice: Paul didn’t just act in "Crocodile Dundee"—he financed and distributed the movie himself. Instead of going through the traditional studio system, he raised the $8.8 million budget independently and sold distribution rights country by country. This bold move gave him a reported 60% ownership stake in the film’s profits. With the first movie earning over $320 million and the sequel bringing in $240 million, Paul’s personal earnings from the franchise likely topped $100 million. That’s what I call a smart businessman!

Life Beyond the Spotlight

Paul’s personal life has been as colorful as his career. He was married twice to Noelene Edwards, first from 1958 to 1981, then remarried within a year before divorcing again in 1986. Their second split was reportedly one of the most expensive and contentious divorces in Australian history. Later, Paul married Linda Kozlowski, his co-star from "Crocodile Dundee," in 1990. They stayed together until 2014.

The Tax Battle

Paul’s life took a dramatic turn when he found himself embroiled in a decade-long fight with the Australian Taxation Office. The ATO accused him of hiding millions of dollars in offshore accounts and using his California residency to avoid taxes. At one point, they hit him with a $150 million bill that included hefty fines and interest. Paul fought back, winning a $5 million settlement against the Australian Crime Commission for illegally seizing his financial records. Things got even more dramatic in 2010 when he was stopped from leaving Australia after his mother’s funeral until he paid a $37.5 million tax bill. Finally, in 2017, the matter was settled when Paul reportedly paid "tens of millions of dollars" in taxes and fines. Despite the settlement, Paul has always maintained his innocence, calling the ATO’s tactics "unjust" and comparing them to the Taliban.

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Paul’s Real Estate Adventures

When it comes to real estate, Paul’s had a few memorable properties. One of the most famous was Cedar Springs, a stunning 46-hectare estate in Byron Bay’s hinterland that he built with Linda in the early 1990s. They lived there for over 15 years before selling it in 2006 for A$8.1 million. Paul then shifted his focus to the U.S., buying a Malibu estate for $6.5 million in 2009. He sold that property to Chris Hemsworth in 2013 for $4.8 million. During his tax dispute, Paul made Santa Barbara his main home, though rumors swirled about financial trouble when he put his Malibu property on the market. His lawyer shot down those rumors, saying the sale had nothing to do with the tax battle.