10 Australian Celebs That Will Make You Melt

There are more exports from the land down under than just kangaroos and crocodile hunters. There’s a wealth of acting talent. With accent training apparently on every actor’s resume, there are more of them operating in Hollywood than we ever realized. It’s time to look beyond the Hugh Jackmans, Eric Banas and Hemsworth Brothers, and give some love to the female stars on our screens. Here are ten incredible Australian actresses that need to be on your radar.

Rose Byrne

Our first awesome lady has made a splash in Hollywood. She’s originally from Balmain – a suburb of Sydney. As Ellen Parsons in Damages, she’s netted herself two Golden Globes and two Emmy nominations.

She’s also been in massive hits like Insidious, X-Men: First Class and, of course, our personal favorite – Bridesmaids. The role that broke the camel’s back, so to speak. We love you Rose.

Abbie Cornish

Abbie Cornish, hailing from New South Wales, started out as a very young teen, at the ripe old age of thirteen. She’s received a number of awards as she has developed her career, from winning Best Breakthrough Performance at the 2005 Miami International Film Festival to landing herself the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the FCCA and IF Awards.

With these accolades, we hope to see her state-side more often. Get over here Abbie!

Phoebe Tonkin

This leading lady first broke into the mainstream with her portrayal of Hayley in The Vampire Diaries. She can also be seen in H2O: Just Add Water, and Tomorrow When The War Began, as well as The Secret Circle. Born in Sydney and with fingers in both the modelling and acting pies, hopefully she’ll be lighting up the telly box as a vampire for years to come.

Sharni Vinson

Who doesn’t love a good soap? Sharon Vinson started out at an adorably young age – beginning her thespian studies at the age of four at the Australian Theatre for Young People. She went on to the hallowed Australian soap Home and Away and quickly moved on to the likes of Step Up 3D and No Man’s Land. Rock on Sharni. Keep snuggling those vampires.

Bella Heathcote

This Melbourne-born bombshell broke into the public eye in her role as Amanda Fowler in Neighbors – another much loved Australian soap.

She received the much revered Heath Ledger Scholarship in 2010 and went on to be cast in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Dark Shadows.

Jessica Marais

A jet setter, Jessica Marais settled in Perth at the age of nine. Before that, she was born in South Africa and had stints in both Canada and New Zealand before her family settled down in Australia.

She starred in Packed to the Rafters and is currently filming a drama for the US called Magic City. She’s a stunner and we hope to see more of her on our screens – big or small.

Isla Fisher

Well known and much loved, the respected actress Isla Fisher spent her younger years in Perth. She started out in commercials as a child, as well as starring in kids’ TV shows.

She hit the big time in Hollywood, landing roles in Wedding Crashers and Confessions of a Shopaholic. She’s all over the place now, and is the wife of esteemed comedian Sacha Baren Cohen. Or Ali G, to his friends

Rachael Taylor

This beautiful Aussie babe is an actress (and, of course, a model) from Tasmania. In 2006 she got nominated for a Most Popular New Female Talent at the Logie Awards, and can now be seen on both sides of the Pacific.

You can catch her on 666 Park Avenue. Hopefully it leads to big things, with more of her on our screens. Taylor will certainly brighten up your Saturday nights in in front of the TV.

Teresa Palmer

Teresa Palmer has been in movies with spectacular stars, including Adam Sandler, Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel and Topher Grace of That ’70s Show fame.

Born in Adelaide, you can see her and Nicholas Hoult in sweet and weird indie zomcom Warm Bodies. Let’s just say we’re happy to have this cool chick on our screens – whether alive and well or as an undead zombie.

Isabel Lucas

Another break-out star from Home and Away, Isabel Lucas comes to us from Melbourne. She relocated to Los Angeles to give us more of her acting chops, and has been seen in action gems like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Pacific, Daybreak’s and Immortals.

We love her acting, but we also love her love of the planet. We want more of her vegan, animal-rights defending, transformers befriending wonderfulness on our screens – pronto.