Bryan Brown Disliked English as a Child
Bryan Brown, the Australian actor, had little interest in literature during his childhood in Sydney. He admits, “I hated English at school,” mainly because he was assigned classics like Great Expectations to read.
“I hated English at school… Because we got things like Great Expectations to read…”
He now acknowledges the novel’s greatness but adds, “not when you’re bloody 12 and 14 and 16, and you want to play sport...”
A Career Full of Remarkable Roles
Brown, now 78, remains instantly recognizable thanks to his work in iconic projects such as the TV miniseries The Thorn Birds, the film Breaker Morant, and Hollywood hits like Cocktail with Tom Cruise and Gorillas in the Mist with Sigourney Weaver.
From Actor to Crime Writer
Beyond acting, Brown has become a bestselling author. He debuted as a writer with Sweet Jimmy, a short story collection published in 2021, followed by his first novel, The Drowning, in 2023. His third book, The Hidden, was released this month.
Personal Life and Recent Activities
Brown lives in Sydney with his wife, actress and director Rachel Ward. Currently in Melbourne for a podcast, he admits, “I’ve never listened to a podcast, ever.”
Author’s Summary
Bryan Brown transformed his childhood disdain for literature into a successful career as both a celebrated actor and bestselling crime writer.