Paul Mercurio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Mercurio AM MP
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Hastings
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 November 2022
Preceded by	Neale Burgess
Councillor of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for Watson Ward
In office 23 October 2020 – 26 November 2022
Personal details
Born	Paul Joseph Mercurio (1963-03-31) 31 March 1963 (age 62) Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouse	Andrea Mercurio (nee Toy) ​ (m. 1987)​
Children	Emily, Elise and Erin
Occupation	Actor Dancer Choreographer Television presenter Politician

Paul Joseph Mercurio (born on March 31, 1963) is an Australian actor, dancer, TV host, and politician. He is well-known for his main role in the 1992 movie Strictly Ballroom. He was also a judge on the TV show Dancing with the Stars.

Since 2022, Paul Mercurio 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 Victoria

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

Moving to Perth

In 1969, his parents separated. Paul moved to Perth, Western Australia, with his mother. He grew up in public housing and went to John Curtin Senior High School. There is now a theatre named after him at this school. Paul has said that his theatre arts teacher helped him follow his dreams.

Becoming a Principal Dancer

After high school, Paul studied at the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne. By 1982, when he was 19, he became a main dancer with the Sydney Dance Company. He held this important position for ten years. During this time, he was asked to create six dance pieces for the company.

Acting and TV Shows

Making Movies

Paul Mercurio's first movie role was in Baz Luhrmann's famous film Strictly Ballroom in 1992. He was also a choreographer for the movie. He was even nominated for an Australian Film Institute Award in 1993 for his acting.

He also appeared in other films like Exit to Eden, Così, and Welcome to Woop Woop. In 2019, he had a supporting role in the movie Promised.

Television Roles

Paul Mercurio first appeared on TV in a documentary about his life in 1992. He played the main character, Joseph, in the US TV mini-series The Bible: Joseph in 1995. He also starred in the 1998 mini-series The Day of the Roses, which was about a train accident. For this role, he was nominated for a Logie Award.

Throughout the 1990s, Paul was a guest star on many Australian TV shows. These included Blue Heelers, All Saints, and Heartbreak High.

Judging and Hosting TV Shows

Paul Mercurio was a judge on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars until 2008. 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

Working with Dance Companies

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

Choreography for Films and Stage

Paul continues to dance and create dance routines professionally. He has worked as a choreographer on five films, including Strictly Ballroom and the Will Smith movie I, Robot. He also choreographed a TV ad campaign for Coca-Cola.

He has created dances for many stage shows, including Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie Get Your Gun. 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. He later hosted three cooking TV shows: Tasmania's Food Trail, Mercurio's Menu, and New Zealand on a Plate. He also appeared as a chef on other daytime TV shows.

In 2009, he released a cookbook called Mercurio's Menu, based on his TV series. He also wrote "Cooking with Beer," and both books became 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. He has hosted special dinners and cooking demonstrations that feature beer. He has also been a judge for international beer competitions. In 2014, he opened his own beer café. He also created a line of meat rubs and sauces and started his own company called "Beerlicious."

Political Career

Local Council Role

In November 2020, Paul Mercurio was chosen to be a councillor for the Mornington Peninsula Shire. This means he helped make decisions for the local community.

State Parliament Member

In November 2022, Paul Mercurio was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He won the seat for Hastings for the Australian Labor Party. This means he now helps make laws for the state of Victoria.

Personal Life

Family Life

Paul Mercurio has been married to his wife, Andrea, since 1987. Andrea was also a ballerina. They have three daughters named Emily, Elise, and Erin. His oldest daughter is a stage manager, his middle daughter is a musical theatre actor and writer, and his youngest is a vet nurse and pop singer.

Family History

In 2012, Paul appeared on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?. On the show, he learned that his grandfather was involved in a secret group in Milwaukee in the 1950s. Paul has talked about how this discovery affected his family.

Health

In December 2022, Paul Mercurio was hospitalized due to heart problems after winning his election.

Awards and Honours