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9 Australian Celebs Who Aren't Actually Australian

Unfortunately, New York is responsible for Mel Gibson

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 26, 2010 10:31 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mel Gibson is many things, few of them complimentary…but one thing he is not? Australian. Ben Widdicombe rounds up 9 celebrities commonly—and mistakenly—thought of as Aussies, on PopEater:

  1. Mel Gibson: He was born in Peekskill, NY, and didn’t move to Sydney until he was 12. He moved back to the States 16 years later.
  2. Nicole Kidman: This “Australian” beauty was actually born in Hawaii, and lived there until she was four.

  1. Olivia Newton-John: Though she’s “considered by many to be the quintessential Australian celebrity,” she was born in the UK and lived in Australia only briefly. Her career got its start in Britain.
  2. Russell Crowe: Though he is a naturalized Australian citizen, he’s actually from New Zealand (where, by the way, he apparently launched a music career).
For the complete list—including the one rare Aussie celeb who’s actually, but just barely, an Aussie—click here.

Actor Mel Gibson gestures during a photo call to promote his new movie Edge of Darkness, in  Paris Thursday Feb. 4, 2010.
Actor Mel Gibson gestures during a photo call to promote his new movie "Edge of Darkness", in Paris Thursday Feb. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Australian actress Nicole Kidman attends a press conference in Hong Kong Thursday, May 20, 2010.
Australian actress Nicole Kidman attends a press conference in Hong Kong Thursday, May 20, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Olivia Newton John Voted Number One Musician From Australia.
Olivia Newton John Voted Number One Musician From Australia.   (PRNewsFoto/Jacob's Creek, Dan Steinberg)
Actor Russell Crowe during a press conference for the film Robin Hood, at the 63rd international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 12, 2010.
Actor Russell Crowe during a press conference for the film "Robin Hood", at the 63rd international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 12, 2010.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
finkster
Jul 27, 2010 1:58 AM CDT
Australia is a giant spaceship made to look like a continent. We've let nature's creatures and you humans live on it while we quietly observe you from deep underground in our ship. Soon we will be leaving since you have no respect for this planet and its nature which will be your demise.
hatchling1
Jul 26, 2010 6:53 PM CDT
Australia is a land of immigrants, just as the USA once was.. oh wait, it still is, only they're mostly illegal.
NxBigmouthery
Jul 26, 2010 2:26 PM CDT
A small, young country...chock full of relatively new arrivals. Myself included.

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