Movie News around the world

Kung Fu generation
When asked about the most famous Chinese in Hollywood, most people would think of Jackie Chan, or John Woo, or Lucy Liu. Surprisingly, less people will think of Bruce Lee. Can it be because he became something of an international hero, a legend free of nationality? Probably, and there is a good reason for that.

Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was doubtless the most influential and the most famous Chinese in Hollywood. From the supporting role of Kato in The Green Hornet TV series, to his blockbuster Enter the Dragon, “culturally significant” and now preserved in National Film Registry movie, he challenged what action movie is supposed to be like, and opened the way for all those people mentioned before.

Ever since Bruce Lee became famous and paved the way for more talents, all movie elements were influenced – the action, the comedy and the drama. These most famous Chinese in Hollywood changed the way movies are maid forever.

Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, for example, started his career as a stuntman in Bruce Lee movies. Only to become a new international action star less than ten years later, adding a comical flavor to martial arts. John Woo continued the trend of Kung-Fu movies, working with Jackie Chan. His style of action, often dubbed “gun fu”, influenced lots of modern directors, including the Wachowski Brothers or Quentin Tarantino. And latter made an already star Lucy Liu even more popular in his movie Kill Bill.

The rise of Soviet Union changed the way world perceived Slavic people, and changed lives of many families. Many immigrated to USA, following the American Dream. Some found fortune, some found misery. And some found fame.

Yul Brynner
One of those was one of the most famous Russians in Hollywood – Yul Brynner. Since Russian influence was often feared, lots of people preferred to hide their birthplace. But Yul instead had fun with his “exotic” lineage and loved to tell a legend, that he was born in Sakhalin and was of Mongol-Tatar parentage, and that his lineage was that of Genghis Khan himself. In reality, he was born in a simple four-story residence in Vladivostok, then part of Far Eastern Republic, in 1920. He started his acting career at Broadway, gaining popularity while acting in The King and I musical. Later he starred in The Ten Commandments, one of the most financially successful and critically received movies in American cinema.

Andrei Konchalovsky
In later years of cold war and with lessened hostilities between USSR and USA, more Russian talents started to appear on Hollywood scene. Andrei Konchalovsky, while being a famous Soviet director and well known for his epic Siberiade, gained even more popularity with his second USA produced work – Runaway Train. His work also bolstered the influence of Andrei Tarkovsky on American cinema and made Nikita Mikhalkov, Konchalovsky’s brother, well known for American audience.

The fifth element
And with the fall of Soviet Union, even more Soviet- and Russian-born talents became popular in the USA. Ukrainian SSR-born Mila Jovovich charmed Europe audience and later Hollywood. Anton Yelchin popularity only continues to grow for the last ten years. And latest action movies are clearly being influenced by the work of Timur Bekmambetov, Kazakh SSR-born film director.

Australian continent has sent a great amount of actors to Hollywood. They earned fame, money and love of public by being easy-going, open, tan and beautiful. Who are the most popular Australians in Hollywood? Read on to find out.

Alex O’Loughlin – probably best known for Mick. St. John in Moonlight, Alex is an actor, father, writer and ambassador fort Donate Life America. Born in Canberra.

Cate Blanchett – LOTR’s Galadriel, Queen Elizabeth I, credited as “Australian Legend of the Screen” and just a beautiful lady. Born in Melbourne.

Geoffrey Rush – Actor and film producer, one of a few people who won “Triple Crown of Acting”: Emmy, Oscar and Tony Award. Born in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Hugh Jackman – Wolverine from X-Men, this guy is an actor, musician and dancer. Born in Sydney.

Julian McMahon – Moved fast from fashion model to demonic Cole in Charmed to Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four. Born in Sydney.

Naomi Watts – born in Britain, Naomi debuted on Australian TV, gain popularity there and moved to Hollywood to star in Mulholland Drive, 21 Grams and King Kong.

Nicole Kidman – is one of the most hard-working Australians in Hollywood. The star of Cold Mountain and The Interpreter, Nicole is an actress, a singer, producer and humanitarian.

Russell Crowe – Born in New Zealand, Russell does sports, charity, acting and film producing.

Simon Baker – Gained popularity for “The Mentalist” TV show. Comes from Tasmania.

Disclosure: we think all these people are awesome and listed them alphabetically.