Biography
Who is Geoffrey Rush?
Early life and education
Geoffrey Rush Roy Rush was born on July 6, 1951, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. His father, Roy Baden Rush, worked as an accountant for the Royal Australian Air Force, while his mother, Merle, was a department store sales assistant. He grew up alongside an older sister. When he was five years old, his parents divorced, and his mother relocated him to suburban Brisbane to live with her parents.
Training and theatre career
In 1975, Geoffrey moved to Paris for two years to study mime, movement, and theatre at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. During this period, he trained under master clown Philippe Gaulier. Upon returning to Australia, he resumed his work in theatre productions. In 1979, he shared an apartment with actor Mel Gibson for four months while both men co-starred in a stage production of Waiting for Godot in Brisbane.
Film breakthrough and major roles
Geoffrey achieved international film fame when he starred as David Helfgott in the drama Shine in 1996. His performance brought him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He learned to play the piano for the part and performed most of the musical pieces himself. Following this success, he appeared in several major historical and costume dramas throughout the late 1990s.
Television work and accolades
On television, Geoffrey portrayed Peter Sellers in the biographical film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers in 2004. This television role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, an Actor Award, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series. He received another Emmy nomination later in his career for playing scientist Albert Einstein in the National Geographic anthology series Genius in 2017.
Family and personal life
Geoffrey married Jane Menelaus, an actress who appeared alongside him in theatrical productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest. The couple has a son named James Rush. Throughout his extensive career, Geoffrey has maintained a prominent presence in both Australian and international arts communities.
Birthday and age
Geoffrey Rush was born on July 6, 1951, which makes Geoffrey 75 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Geoffrey shares the date with 42 other famous people.
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