- To play Peter Sellers and his characters in THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS (2004), Rush spent an average of five hours a day having his hair and makeup done. He also had 38 wigs, plus false teeth, noses, chins, lips and cheeks.
- Criticized the recently signed free trade agreement between the United States and Australia, saying it could damage Australia's arts scene. (March 16, 2004)
- Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Queensland, in Australia.
- Adapted Beaumarchais' play THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, with Niel Armfield, for the inaugural production in the new Optus Playhouse in the Queensland Performing Arts Complex, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in September, 1998. He also played the title role of Figaro in the same production.
- He began his acting career with the Queensland Theatre Company in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Once lived with Mel Gibson while they were in college.
- His character in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998) repeatedly proclaims, It's a mystery, which is something he also repeatedly says in the film SHINE (1996).
- His character's in HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1999) last name is Price. This is a reference to the original HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1958) in which Vincent Price, played the main character.
- Nominated for Best Villain at MTV Movie Awards for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (2004)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for QUILLS (2001)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role at BAFTA Awards for QUILLS (2001)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for QUILLS (2001)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for QUILLS (2001)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1999)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role at BAFTA Awards for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1999)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at Golden Globe Awards for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1999)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1999)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast at Screen Actors Guild Awards for SHINE (1997)
Quotes- "He got to make love to Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett. All I got was an Oscar nomination." [regarding he and Joseph Fiennes appearing in both SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and ELIZABETH].
- My career has been in theatre for 23 years, with spits and coughs in bits and pieces of films. Scott [Hicks] very nicely said my entire career had been my audition [for the role in 'Shine']
Awards- Australian Film Institute: Global Achievement Award (2003)
- Hollywood Film Festival: Supporting Actor of the Year (2003)
- Florida Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actor, QUILLS (2001)
- Golden Satellite Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, QUILLS (2001)
- Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actor, QUILLS (2001)
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards: Sierra Award - Best Actor, QUILLS (2000)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, ELIZABETH (1999)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1999)
- London Critics Circle Film Awards: Actor of the Year, SHINE (1998)
- Academy Awards: Best Actor, SHINE (1997)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, SHINE (1997)
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, SHINE (1997)
- Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards: Best Actor - Male, SHINE (1997)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, SHINE (1997)
- Golden Satellite Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, SHINE (1997)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, SHINE (1997)
- Australian Film Institute Award: Best Actor, SHINE (1996)
- Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Actor, SHINE (1996)
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, SHINE (1996)
- New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actor, SHINE (1996)
- Sydney Myer Perfoming Arts Award (1994)
- Victorian Green Room Award: Best Actor, THE DIARY OF A MADMAN (1990)
- Sydney Critics Circle Award: Most Outstanding Performance, THE DIARY OF A MADMAN (1989)
- Variety Club Award: Best Actor, THE DIARY OF A MADMAN
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