Paul Hogan AM was a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge before rising to fame in the early 1970s with his own comedy sketch program, The Paul Hogan Show. The series ran for more than a decade, and was popular both in Australia and around the world, introducing hilarious characters such as Leo Wanker, Arthur Dunger and Luigi the Unbelievable. In 1985, Hogan was chosen as Australian of the Year and was inducted into the Order of Australia. In 1986 he starred in his first movie, Crocodile Dundee. It went on to become the most successful independent movie ever, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and making him a household name worldwide. Following the success of Crocodile Dundee, Hogan hosted the Academy Awards and starred in several other films, including Crocodile Dundee II, Almost an Angel, Lightning Jack, Charlie & Boots and The Very Excellent Mr Dundee.