Paul Mercurio

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Paul Joseph Mercurio
birthname =
birthdate = Birth date and age|1963|3|31|mf=y
location = Swan Hill, Victoria
deathdate =
deathplace =
othername =
spouse = Andrea Mercurio
website = http://www.paulmercurio.com

Paul Joseph Mercurio (born March 31, 1963) is an Australian actor and dancer who was the star of Baz Luhrmann's "Strictly Ballroom" (1992). His father is character actor Gus Mercurio.

Mercurio was one of four judges on the Australian version of the popular television show "Dancing with the Stars" which was broadcast in Australia on Channel Seven in 2004, 2005, and 2006. He was also a judge in New Zealand's edition since 2006. He has recently been sacked as a judge on the new version of Dancing With The Stars.

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

Biography

Born in Swan Hill, Victoria in 1963, Mercurio 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 ten years. During this time, he was commissioned to choreograph six works performed by the company.

Mercurio left the Sydney Dance Company to found the Australian Choreographic Ensemble which danced from 1992-1998, where he was the Director, Principal Dancer and Principal Choreographer.

Mercurio 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 '. He also starred, wrote, choreographed, produced and directed the short film "Spilt Milk". Mercurio 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 ', in 1995.

Today, Mercurio 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". Mercurio was also a judge on both the Australian and New Zealand versions of "Dancing with the Stars" until it was announced on the 12th August 2008 that he had been dropped from the judgeing panel.

In 2008, Paul began hosting a series called "Mercurio's Menu" where he travels Australia cooking in different locations.

Mercurio also teaches full time students at Dance World Studios in Melbourne, Australia

External links

*
* [http://www.australiadancing.org/subjects/43.html Paul Mercurio biography] at AustraliaDancing
* [http://www.mercuriosmenu.com/ Mercurio's Menu] Mercurio's Menu

News.com.au- Paul Mercurio out of Dancing and Ian Dickinson's Idol fears- http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,24166721-5016681,00.html