Paul Mercurio facts for kids

Paul Joseph Mercurio (born 31 March 1963) is an Australian actor, dancer, and TV presenter. He is also a politician. Paul is most famous for his main role in the 1992 movie Strictly Ballroom. Many people also know him as a judge on the TV show Dancing with the Stars.

Since 2022, he has been a member of the Australian Labor Party. He represents the area of Hastings in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.

Early Life and Dance Career

Growing Up in Australia

Paul Mercurio was born in Swan Hill, Victoria, in March 1963. His father, Gus Mercurio, was an American actor and boxer. Paul started learning ballet when he was nine years old.

In 1969, his parents separated. Paul then moved to Perth, Western Australia, with his mother. He grew up in public housing and went to John Curtin Senior High School. This school is now called John Curtin College of the Arts. There is even a theatre named after him there! Paul says his theatre arts teacher inspired him to follow his dreams.

Becoming a Principal Dancer

After high school, Paul focused on acting. But then he took the Indian Pacific train from Perth back to Melbourne. There, he studied at the Australian Ballet School. By the time he was 19, in 1982, he became a main dancer with the Sydney Dance Company. He held this important position for ten years. During this time, he also created six dance pieces for the company.

Acting and TV Roles

Famous Film Roles

Paul Mercurio first appeared in a movie called Strictly Ballroom in 1992. This film was a big hit for director Baz Luhrmann. Paul was also a choreographer for the movie, helping to create the dance moves. He was even nominated for an Australian Film Institute Award in 1993 for his role.

Paul has acted in other films too. These include Exit to Eden, Back of Beyond, and Così. He also starred in, wrote, choreographed, produced, and directed a short film called Spilt Milk. More recently, he has appeared in independent movies like Hunting for Shadows and A Silent Agreement. In 2019, he had a supporting role in the film Promised.

Paul was once considered for a role in Baz Luhrmann's movie Moulin Rouge. However, the role didn't work out. He also turned down a role in the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He was worried about being typecast, which means always being chosen for the same kind of role.

Television Appearances

Paul's first TV appearance was in a documentary about his life in 1992. In 1995, he played the main character, Joseph, in the US TV mini-series The Bible: Joseph. This series even won an Emmy Award.

Later, he joined the cast of the 1998 mini-series The Day of the Roses. This show was about the 1977 Granville railway disaster. Paul was nominated for a Logie Award for his acting in it. In the 1990s, he also made guest appearances on many Australian TV shows. These included Blue Heelers, All Saints, and Heartbreak High.

From 2004 to 2008, Paul was a judge on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars. He was also a judge on the New Zealand version of the show. From 2008 to 2010, he hosted a show called Mercurio's Menu. On this show, he traveled around Australia and cooked in different places.

Dance and Choreography Work

Touring and Creating Dances

From 1982 to 1992, Paul toured with the Sydney Dance Company. He performed as a main dancer and created many dance pieces. After leaving the company, he started his own group in 1992 called the Australian Choreographic Ensemble. He was the director, main dancer, and main choreographer until 1998.

Paul still dances and creates dances professionally. He has worked as a choreographer for five films. These include Strictly Ballroom and the Will Smith movie I, Robot. He also choreographed a TV ad for Coca-Cola in America. For the stage, he choreographed Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie Get Your Gun. In 2004, he performed on stage in The Full Monty.

Paul won a Mo Award for Dance Performer of the Year in 1992. In 2004, he was nominated for a Helpmann Award for his choreography in Annie Get Your Gun.

Food and Cooking

Cooking Shows and Cookbooks

Paul Mercurio started making his own beer in 1988. Later, he hosted three TV cooking shows. These were Tasmania's Food Trail (starting in 2006), Mercurio's Menu (from 2008 to 2010), and New Zealand on a Plate (in 2011). After these shows, he appeared as a chef on many live daytime TV programs.

In 2009, Paul released a cookbook called Mercurio's Menu, based on his TV series. He also released "Cooking with Beer." Both of these books were very popular. In 2015, he released a third cookbook called "Kitchen Mojo."

Beer and Food Business

In 2005, Paul released his own beer in Victoria. Since then, he has hosted special beer dinners and cooking demonstrations. He has also been a judge for international beer competitions. In 2016, he worked with BentSpoke Brewery to create Australia's first Aphrodisiac Beer. He opened his own beer café in 2014. He also created a line of meat rubs and sauces and started his own company called "Beerlicious." He often cooks in restaurants and at food markets and festivals.

Political Career

In November 2020, Paul Mercurio was chosen as a councillor for the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

In November 2022, Paul was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He won the seat of Hastings for the Australian Labor Party.

Personal Life

Paul Mercurio has been married to his wife, Andrea, since 1987. Andrea was also a ballerina with The Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company. They have three daughters: Emily, Elise, and Erin. Their oldest daughter is a stage manager. Their middle daughter is a musical theatre actor and writer. Their youngest daughter is a vet nurse and a pop singer.

In 2012, Paul appeared on the Australian TV show Who Do You Think You Are?. On the show, he learned that his grandfather was part of a crime group in the 1950s. Paul has talked about how this discovery affected his father and their relationship.

In December 2022, Paul had to go to the hospital because of heart problems after winning his election.

Awards and Honours

Paul Mercurio has received several awards and nominations for his work:

• In 1992, he won a Mo Award for Dance Performance of the Year.
• Also in 1992, he was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role for Strictly Ballroom.
• In 1999, he was nominated for a Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor for The Day of the Roses.
• In 2005, he was nominated for a Helpmann Award for Best Choreography in a Musical for Annie Get Your Gun.
• In 2017 and 2018, he received nominations for Best Lead Actor at film festivals for A Silent Agreement.
• In 2020, Paul Mercurio was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia. This is a special award given to people who have made a big difference in Australia.