Paul Mercurio - Biography

Actor/dancer Paul Mercurio is best remembered for his lead role as
rebel "Scott Hastings" in Baz Luhrmann's hit movie Strictly
Ballroom. He is also an accomplished dramatic actor, appearing in
popular local shows; Blue Heelers, All Saints, Murder Call, Medivac,
Water Rats and The Day of the Roses.

Born in Swan Hill in country Victoria, in 1963, Paul began ballet at
nine. By the age of 19, in 1982, he was Principal Dancer with the
Sydney Dance Company – a position he held for 10 years. During this
time, he was commissioned to choreograph six works performed by the
company.

Paul left the Sydney Dance Company to join the Australian
Choreographic Ensemble, where he was the Director, Principal Dancer
and Principal Choreographer.

Paul made his film debut in Strictly Ballroom, receiving an
Australian Film Institute Award nomination in 1993. His film credits
have since included; Exit To Eden, Back Of Beyond, Cosi, Red Ribbon
Blues, Welcome To Woop Woop, The Dark Planet, The First 9 1/2 Weeks,
Kick and Sydney - Story Of A City. He also starred, wrote,
choreographed, produced and directed the short film Spilt Milk. Paul
made his TV debut in a documentary on his life called Life's Burning
Desire in 1992. He starred in the lead role of Joseph in the Emmy
award-winning US TV mini-series The Bible: Joseph, in 1995.

The late nineties saw Paul working as a labourer on building sites
and later selling computers to support his dancer wife, Andrea, and
their three daughters.

Today, Paul, 41, continues to dance and choreograph professionally.
He was a movement consultant on the Will Smith movie I Robot, and
has choreographed a USA TV campaign for Coca Cola, the Harry M
Miller production of Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie Get Your Gun.

In January 2004, he appeared on stage in The Full Monty. Paul is
also a judge on the New Zealand version of Dancing with the Stars.