7 proper A-listers who got their start on Home and Away

Iconic soap opera Home and Away celebrates its 30th anniversary today 

It's almost a joke to say that every top Australian actor got their first start on Home and Away or Neighbours, but it's not too far from the truth. Over the years many have come and gone from Summer Bay, but these are ones that made it all the way to Hollywood.

Heath Ledger

The late actor appeared on Home and Away for 10 episodes in 1997. Two years later he got his big break in 10 Things I Hate About You, followed by his role as Mel Gibson's son in The Patriot.

Isla Fisher

Long before Wedding Crashers and Confessions of a Shopaholic, Isla Fisher played Shannon Reed in almost 400 episodes between 1994 and 1997.

Guy Pearce

Although Guy Pearce was born in England, he moved to Australia with his family at a young age. He began his acting career in Neighbours before moving to Summer Bay in 1991. Five years later he was starring in L.A. Confidential

Ryan Kwanten 

Ryan might not be a big name movie star, but viewers will recognise him from his role as Jason Stackhouse in HBO's True Blood. Kwanten appeared in Home and Away for five years before take a break from acting and going back to college. He later moved to LA and returned to acting.

Naomi Watts

A decade before her breakout role in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive, Naomi Watts was playing Julie Gibson in Home and Away. She's switched between film and TV ever since, most recently reuniting with Lynch for Twin Peaks.

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth is another actor who has appeared in both Neighbours and Home and Away. He had a small, one episode role in Neighbours before going on to do a three year stint in Home and Away. Just two years after the soap he played Captain Kirk in the Star Trek reboot and was well on his way to blockbuster stardom.

Melissa George

Melissa George's first ever acting job was playing Angel Brooks, one half of one of the 90s most popular TV couples. When her character left the soap to move to England, George left Australia for Hollywood. She has appeared in TV shows Alias, In Treatment, and Grey's Anatomy and films including Mulholland Drive.