List of people from Sydney facts for kids

Sydney is a big, exciting city in New South Wales, Australia. Many amazing people have lived here, from famous actors and musicians to top athletes and important leaders. This list introduces you to some of the well-known individuals and groups who have called Sydney home!

Arts and Entertainment Stars

Sydney has been home to many talented people who shine in movies, music, and art.

• Iggy Azalea is a famous rapper born in Sydney in 1990. Her song "Fancy" was a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2014!
• Christopher Bang (Bang Chan) is a K-pop idol who grew up in Sydney. He's the leader, singer, rapper, and producer of the popular Korean boy group Stray Kids.
• Courtney Barnett is a singer-songwriter and musician born in Sydney in 1987. She won "Breakthrough Artist" and "Best Female Artist" at the 2015 ARIA Music Awards.
• Claudia Black is an actress and voice actress from Sydney. You might know her from TV shows like Farscape and Stargate SG-1, or the Uncharted video games.
• Bryan Brown is an actor born in Sydney in 1947. He's been in many films, including Breaker Morant and Along Came Polly.
• Rose Byrne is an actress born in Balmain, Sydney, in 1979. She's known for her roles in Damages, Bridesmaids, and Insidious.
• Toni Collette is an actress born in Blacktown, Sydney, in 1972. She's famous for movies like Muriel's Wedding and The Sixth Sense.
• Jai Courtney is an actor born in Sydney in 1986. He's appeared in big action movies like Jack Reacher and Terminator Genisys.
• Russell Crowe is an actor who grew up in Sydney. He's won awards for his roles in films like Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.
• Joel Edgerton is an actor born in Blacktown, Sydney, in 1974. He's known for movies like Animal Kingdom and Warrior.
• Indiana Evans is an actress and singer-songwriter born in Sydney in 1990. She starred in Home and Away and H₂O: Just Add Water.
• Mel Gibson is a famous actor and director who moved to Sydney when he was 12. He's known for movies like Mad Max and Braveheart.
• Delta Goodrem is a singer born in Sydney in 1984. She's had many hit songs, including "Sitting on Top of the World."
• Michael Hutchence was the lead singer and songwriter for the rock band INXS. He was born in Sydney in 1960 and was a huge part of the band's success.
• Hugh Jackman is a globally recognized actor born in Sydney in 1968. He's famous for playing Wolverine in the X-Men movies and for musicals like The Greatest Showman.
• Claudia Karvan is an actress born in Sydney in 1972, known for TV shows like The Secret Life of Us.
• Miranda Kerr is a supermodel born in Sydney in 1983, famous for being a Victoria's Secret angel.
• Nicole Kidman is an award-winning actress who grew up in Sydney. She's starred in many films, including Moulin Rouge! and The Hours.
• Felix Lee is another K-pop idol from the group Stray Kids, born in Sydney in 2000.
• Keiynan Lonsdale is an actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter born in Sydney in 1991. He's known for The Flash (2014 TV series) and Love, Simon.
• Rod Taylor was an actor born in Lidcombe, Sydney, in 1930. He starred in classic movies like The Time Machine and The Birds.
• Jack Thompson is an actor born in Manly, Sydney, in 1940. He's known for films like Breaker Morant.
• Naomi Watts is an actress who moved to Sydney at age 14. She's famous for movies like Mulholland Drive and King Kong.
• Jacki Weaver is an actress born in Sydney in 1947. She's received awards for her roles in films like Animal Kingdom.
• Peter Weir is a director born in Sydney in 1944. He's directed popular movies such as Dead Poets Society and The Truman Show.
• David Wenham is an actor born in Marrickville, Sydney, in 1965. He's known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and 300.
• Rebel Wilson is an actress born in Sydney in 1980. She's famous for her comedic roles, especially in the Pitch Perfect movies.

Awesome Musical Groups

Sydney is also the birthplace of many incredible bands that have made a mark on the world stage.

• AC/DC is one of the most successful Australian rock bands ever! They formed in Sydney in 1973 and have sold over 200 million records worldwide.
• The Easybeats were a rock band formed in Sydney in 1964.
• For King & Country is a Christian music duo made up of two brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone, who are from Sydney.
• INXS was a rock band formed in Sydney in 1977. They sold over 50 million records worldwide and were known for their energetic performances.
• Midnight Oil is another famous rock band formed in Sydney in 1976, known for their powerful music and messages.
• The Wiggles are a beloved children's music group formed in Sydney in 1991. They've entertained millions of kids around the world!
• 5 Seconds of Summer is a popular pop-punk band formed in Sydney in 2011. They've sold millions of albums and concert tickets globally.

Important Political Figures

Sydney has been home to many leaders who have shaped Australia's future.

• Anthony Albanese became the Prime Minister of Australia in 2022.
• Edmund Barton was Australia's very first Prime Minister, serving from 1901 to 1903.
• Bob Carr served as the Premier of New South Wales (the leader of the state government) from 1995 to 2005.
• John Howard was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007.
• Paul Keating served as the Prime Minister of Australia from 1992 to 1996.
• Malcolm Turnbull was the Prime Minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018.
• Gough Whitlam was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975.
• Scott Morrison was the Prime Minister of Australia from 2018 to 2022.

Science Innovators

Sydney has also attracted brilliant minds in science and research.

• Victor Chang was a famous cardiac surgeon who moved to Sydney at age 14. He was a pioneer in modern heart transplantation, helping many people.
• Sir Gustav Nossal is a research biologist known for his important work on how our bodies make antibodies and how our immune system learns.

Sports Heroes

Many incredible athletes who have achieved great things in sports were born or raised in Sydney.

• Jack Brabham was a legendary Formula One racing driver.
• Alex Chidiac is a soccer player who plays for the Australian women's national team.
• Kyrie Irving is a famous basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• Brad Fittler was a highly successful Rugby league player. He captained major teams like the Penrith Panthers and the Australian national team.
• Chloe Logarzo is another talented soccer player for the Australian women's national team.
• Cassie MacIntosh and Jessie McKay are professional wrestlers known by their ring names Peyton Royce and Billie Kay.
• Ellyse Perry is an amazing athlete who plays both soccer and cricket internationally for Australia. She was named the ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade in 2020!
• Tony Roche is a well-known tennis player.
• Amy Sayer is a soccer player for the Australian women's national team.
• Ian Thorpe is a legendary swimmer born in Sydney in 1982. He won multiple gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
• Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh are famous cricketers who played for Australia. Steve Waugh even captained the Australian team and was named Australian of the Year in 2004.
• Todd Woodbridge is a highly successful tennis player.
• Matthew Farrelly is a professional wrestler, known by his ring name Grayson Waller.
• Nathan Walker is a professional ice hockey player for the St Louis Blues in the NHL.

Other Notable People

Sydney has also been home to people who have made a difference in other areas, from art to business.

• Jarrod Castaing is a landscape photographer known for capturing beautiful images, including the Aurora Australis from Sydney's Northern Beaches.
• Peter Dodds McCormick was a composer, stonemason, and teacher. He composed "Advance Australia Fair", which is Australia's national anthem!
• Frank Hurley was a famous photographer known for his incredible work as the official photographer on Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914.
• Denis McFadden is a businessperson who founded "Just Cuts," a well-known hair salon chain.
• Michael Mobbs is an author and environmental consultant, known for his work on sustainable living.
• Eliza Pottie was a social reformer who worked for women's rights and helped start the YWCA in Sydney.
• Nicole Rogerson is the founding director and CEO of Autism Awareness Australia, working to support people with autism.

See also

• Lists of Australians