A crowd of Australian screen, music and sporting talent gathered at Sydney’s Ritz Randwick for the world premiere of Foxtel Original feature documentary The Great Entertainer, a celebration of the late Brian Walsh, one of the nation’s most influential television figures.
The Great Entertainer traces the extraordinary life and career of Walsh, charting his pivotal role in transforming the Australian television industry and shaping the careers of stars including Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Kylie Minogue, and Jason Donovan.
Walsh, one of Australia’s most influential media executives and storytellers, died unexpectedly in March 2023, and this Foxtel Original documentary about his life was created by friends and colleagues who worked alongside him throughout his remarkable career.
It was a fitting tribute that its world premiere was held as part of SXSW Sydney, and was attended by Marcia Hines, Lincoln Younes, Danielle Cormack, Sara Wiseman, Ngali Shaw, Celia Ireland, Tai Hara, Julian Maroun, Deborah Hutton OAM, Matt Shirvington, and Craig Wing, alongside a host of Walsh’s industry peers, including Nine’s Amanda Laing.
Deborah Hutton
A born showman and master storyteller, Walsh was behind some of Australian entertainment’s most defining moments, from the legendary Tina Turner “Simply the Best” NRL campaign to the re-launch of Neighbours.
During his 28-year tenure at Foxtel, he commissioned many of the country’s most iconic and internationally acclaimed series including Love My Way, Wentworth, Colin From Accounts, Australia’s Next Top Model and Gogglebox Australia.
The documentary also marks a significant milestone for the Foxtel Group as it celebrates 30 years of entertaining Australians – it will premiere on Foxtel and BINGE on Monday, 20 October.
Talking about Walsh before the premiere, Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said, “Brian had a big impact on Australian TV and a big impact on Australian talent. That wasn’t just about what was on the screen, but very much what was off the screen.
He added, “He also had a big impact with audiences all around the world, especially in Australia.”
Patrick Delany
The film features a stellar line-up of his close friends, collaborators and industry luminaries, including Hugh Jackman who credited his career to Walsh.
Walsh saw him on stage in Beauty and the Beast and offered him a job presenting Fashion – a TV series with Melissa Hoyer.
Brian Walsh with Hugh Jackman.
Each contribution paints a compelling portrait of a man whose creative instincts, humour, zest for life and unwavering commitment to Australian storytelling shaped generations.
During last night’s emotional premiere, guests also heard from Rudi McGregor, a producer on the documentary, his close friend Deborah Hutton, his younger sister Bernadette and Foxtel’s Lana Greenhalgh, Director of Scripted Originals, who worked closely with him.
“Brian was a visionary and the cultural heart of Foxtel for nearly three decades. He continually set the bar for premium and bold Australian storytelling and created countless memorable moments that launched careers and put Australian sport and television on the world’s stage,” said Greenhalgh.
Stephen Baldwin, Lana Greenhalgh and Rudi McGregor.
Made by Shadow Productions for the Foxtel Group, the film is produced by Rudi McGregor, Mathew Brooks, Steve Cronan and Stephen Baldwin.
Executive Producers are Walsh’s late friend Graham McNeice, Rudi McGregor with Lana Greenhalgh and Alison Hurbert-Burns for the Foxtel Group. It is financed in association with Screen NSW and eligible for the SXSW Sydney Audience Choice Award.
The Great Entertainer premieres on Foxtel and BINGE on 20 October.