We present to your attention a world famous actor named Jeffrey Rush. He can rightly be called a true genius of adventure and historical cinema, which is able to transform into a variety of heroes - from Leo Trotsky and Marquis De Sade to the captain of the pirate ship Barbarossa and the medieval minister at the royal court. Jeffrey Rush's track record includes a huge number of both theatrical and film projects. In addition, his name is included in the "golden list of actors", who during their career became winners of the three most prestigious awards (Emmys, Oscars and Tony), and also won six awards for one film.
Jeffrey Rush: photos, childhood and adolescence
The future world famous actor was born in 1951 in a town called Kuwumba, located in Cleveland, Australia. His parents were in no way associated with either the theater or the cinema: his father, Roy, was an accountant, and his mother, Merle, worked as a saleswoman. When little Jeffrey was five years old, dad and mom decided to divorce. As a result, he and Merle moved to live in the nearest big city - Brisbane.
As a schoolboy, young Rush enjoyed visiting the drama circle, where the guys put on such eccentric comedies as The Wonderful Crichton, Aunt Chardley, and Arsenic and Old Lace. As Jeffrey later said, even in those days, he and other enthusiastic boys and girls tried to choose works with what is called a “double bottom”. After school, Rush entered the Department of Arts at the University of Queensland, which he successfully graduated in 1970. Subsequently, he went to work in one of the theaters.
Jeffrey Rush: filmography, the beginning of a career in cinema
For the first time on the big screen, the actor appeared in 1981, playing one of the secondary roles in a crime melodrama called "Deception". However, this work did not bring any noticeable success, and he continued to engage in the production of theatrical performances, for which he was even awarded the Sydney Mayer Prize in 1994.
In the period from 1982 to 1995, Rush starred in only three films that cannot be called particularly successful: Star Disease (1982), Twelfth Night (1987) and How to Become an Aboriginal (1995). The turning point in the actor’s film career was his participation in the film “Shine”, which was released in 1996. He played a very talented, but unbalanced mentally pianist - the main role, which, incidentally, also claimed Tom Cruise and Rife Fiennes. This work was a real triumph for Rush, bringing him not only the recognition of the audience, but also such prestigious awards as the Oscars, Golden Globes and others. According to Jeffrey, having read the “Shine” script back in 1992, he considered the plot of the film to be very successful. In addition, when developing the character, the theatrical role of King Lear greatly helped him.
Continuation of film career
Over the next few years, mostly historical films with Jeffrey Rush were released. Of the series of paintings, one can especially distinguish such films of 1998 as “Shakespeare in Love”, “Elizabeth” and “Les Miserables”. According to film critics, Hollywood literally "clung" to Russia, as a characteristic actor. However, despite the fact that his character was ideally suited for the role of the owner of the theater in the film about Shakespeare or the minister under Elizabeth, he showed interest in subjects unfolding in the modern world. In addition, the directors noted that even after becoming the laureate of many awards, Jeffrey never became conceited and did not lose his mind because of the fame that fell upon him, but, on the contrary, he approached the work even more collectively than ever.
In 1999, the actor appeared on large screens in the films “The House of Night Ghosts” and “Mysterious People”, which diversified the roles of Rush with the characters of Frankenstein, Casanova and the eccentric millionaire. Despite the fact that these films did not have much success at the box office, Jeffrey fans were delighted with his game and created images.
2000s
At the very beginning of the new millennium, actor Jeffrey Rush played the main character in the highly controversial film "The Marquise de Sade's Feather." Regarding his participation in this project, he joked that if they offer to act in films where they have to kiss Kate Winslet, and they also pay for it, then it’s stupid to refuse. Many film critics agreed that scenes with Rush's participation are the only episodes worthy of attention in this picture. Jeffrey himself proved himself to be a truly profound actor, being able to show his hero not only as a “vicious animal”, but also as a great thinker, whose works have passed the test of time.
Also noteworthy is the secondary role of Rush in the 2002 film, entitled "Frida." In this project, he brilliantly played Leo Trotsky.
On top of success
Jeffrey Rush, whose filmography already included many very successful and popular works, in 2003 became a truly star of the first magnitude. Such success brought him the role of pirate captain Hector Barbossa in the film "Pirates of the Caribbean". His partners on the set were such talented and famous actors as Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. Also, the following two parts of the pirate saga had great success: “Dead Man's Chest” and “At World's End”.
Another brilliant work of the actor was the role of Sir Francis Walsingham in the historical drama “Golden Age”, where Cate Blanchett was his shooting partner. In 2010, he superbly played a speech therapist named Lionel Log in the film “The King Speaks.” For this role, Rush was awarded the BAFTA, and also became a nominee for the Oscars and Golden Globes.
Last works
In 2013, two more films were released with the participation of the actor: “The Best Offer” and “The Theft of Books”. Now Jeffrey Rush is busy working on the paintings “Gods of Egypt” and the next, already fourth part of a saga about pirates of the Caribbean called “Dead Men Tell No Tales”. The release of both films on the big screen is planned in 2016.
Personal life
In 1988, Jeffrey Rush married actress Jane Menelos. Subsequently, the couple played together in several performances, and also starred in the film “Feather of the Marquise de Sade”. The couple brings up two children: daughter Angelica (born 1992) and son James (born 1995).